Shot Down and On the Run: The RCAF and Commonwealth Aircrews Who Got Home from Behind Enemy Lines, 1940-1945

by Graham Pitchfork

The stories of many POW escapees are well known, but what about those who miraculously evaded capture in the first place and returned to fight another day?This compelling book tells some of the epic stories of the thousands of shot-down airmen, including Canadians from across the country, who got out from behind enemy lines in Europe, the Far East, and Africa during the Second World War. Based on special first-hand interviews and new research into official debriefing documents held at Britain’s National Archives, many of these accounts have never been published before. This books explores the pivotal role of military intelligence in the training, support, and organization of escape and evasion; it also features rare photographs of the evaders and their helpers.

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Rick Brindle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book does what it says on the tin, tells the stories of RAF and commonwealth aircrew who survived being shot down over enemy territory and made it back to friendly lines. The book covers all main theatres, Europe, middle east and far east.
All good so far, so why only two stars?
The problem is the narrative. The content is fine, and let's face it, that's what draws the reader in. Unfortunately, Graham Pitchfork's writing style leave a lot to be desired. Guys like Anthony Beevor and John Keegan have told us that it's really OK to write military history and still make it entertaining. Sadly, Graham Pitchfork writes as though he'd lecturing officers at the staff college and we're expected to take notes and cascade back to the chaps. At times also, the limited variety of vocabulary makes some of the stories a little difficult to follow, and, sorry to say, a bit boring and samey.
A shame, really, because we all like reading stories about blokes who went through exactly what is being written about in this book.

[Colin Kitchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough history of the airman who crashed but made it home on foot during WWII. Some of the technical stuff is tedious but the first hand accounts are brilliant. If u like Colditz or the great escape u will like this. The stories are set all over Europe and the Middle East. V original