This is a different slant for a WW2 history book. Rather than focusing on a particular squadron or a specific raid, the author follows the trails of many who ended up in enemy territory through either parachuting from damaged aircraft or through a crash landing after being shot down. Dazed, confused and often injured these airmen had to act quickly to avoid immediate capture then somehow find their way home, usually via a neutral country such as Spain or Switzerland or post D-Day, getting through the advancing frontline. This meant contacting resistance groups usually by chancing your luck with an approach to a hopefully friendly civilian.
The book covers many of these same stories with the risk of being repetitive but each has a slightly different twist and together they make exciting reading. You realize the enduring peril these young men went through from the trauma of being shot down and parachuting, often for the first time, or surviving a frightening plane crash. Usually in the middle of the night, not knowing where you are and trying to seek contact with the very people on whom you had just been dropping bombs. Even once you had made contact with the resistance they were often wary of German imposters trying to infiltrate their tightly guarded cells so you were treated with suspicion and hostility. Once passed scrutiny, you then had to go through a lengthy and often changing process being handed from cell to cell of a resistance group being constantly infiltrated until you reached a safe haven. Many train journeys passing through security checks with forged documents implying a native tongue you were unable to speak. The degree of peril is unimaginable!
These are stories of extremely brave men and to their credit, their principal concern was to avoid bringing Nazi retaliation to those civilians who gave them help at huge risk to themselves and their families.
I thoroughly recommend this book for those interested in WW2 history and particularly the air war over Europe. If, like me, you were already in awe of the courage of the young airmen fighting this campaign, this book will bring new found respect for those who ended in enemy territory and found their way back home.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing access to this book.

An interesting read on how allied pilots escaped being captured after being shot down during WW2. The heroics of the resistance fighters and villagers who risked their lives to save and help the pilots was inspiring. This was a truly interesting read. I recommend it highly.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

What is it about those who are downed and work to keep from being captured in wartime. This is a heroic tale of many men who have done it.