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

by Graham Pitchfork

Many POW escape stories are well known, but what about those who miraculously evaded capture in the first place and returned to fight another day? This book tells some of the epic stories of the thousands of shot-down British, Canadian, Australian and other Commonwealth airmen who got out from behind enemy lines across all theatres of World War II. They include the Halifax pilot shot down in northern Germany who walked and cycled over 1000 miles to arrive safely in Barcelona two months later; the Baltimore navigator brought down in Italy who had to hide in a bush for three days before escaping over mountains to reach friendly lines; the Wellington crew who were rescued after a 400-mile, 28-day trek through the African desert; and the Beaufighter crew that survived for a month behind Japanese lines. debriefing documents held at the National Archives, many of these accounts have never been published before. A key element of the book is a full exploration of the pivotal role of the Military Intelligence body MI9 that masterminded the training, support and organization of escape and evasion. Also featured throughout are rare photographs of evaders and their helpers, unusual illustrations from training manuals and clear maps for each key theatre of war.

288 pages, Hardcover

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