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I Was a Stranger
Badly wounded at the battle of Arnhem, and then spirited from his hospital bed by the Dutch Resistance, Brigadier John Hackett spent the winter of 1944 in Nazi-occupied Holland, hidden by a Dutch family, at great risk to their own lives, in a house a stone's throw from a German military police billet. After four months in hiding, Hackett was at last well enough to strap a battered suitcase to an ancient bicycle and set out on a high adventure which would, he hoped, lead him to freedom.
224 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1977
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About the author
John W. Hackett
26 books18 followersGeneral Sir John Winthrop Hackett GCB, CBE, DSO & Bar, MC was an Australian-born British soldier, author and university administrator.
Hackett, who was nicknamed "Shan", was born in Perth, Western Australia. His Irish Australian father, Sir John Winthrop Hackett (1848–1916), originally from Tipperary,was a newspaper proprietor and politician and his mother was Deborah Drake-Brockman (1887–1965) — later Lady Deborah Hackett, Lady Deborah Moulden and Dr Deborah Buller Murphy — a director of mining companies. John Hackett junior's maternal grandparents were prominent members of Western Australian society: Grace Bussell, famous for rescuing shipwreck survivors as a teenager and Frederick Slade Drake-Brockman, a prominent surveyor and explorer.
He received secondary schooling at Geelong Grammar School in Victoria, Australia, after which he travelled to London to study painting at the Central School of Art. He then studied Greats and Modern History at New College, Oxford. As his degree was not good enough for an academic career, Hackett joined the British Army and was commissioned into the 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars in 1933, having previously joined the Supplementary Reserve of Officers in 1931.
He served in Mandate Palestine and was mentioned in despatches in 1936[1] and then with the Trans-Jordan Frontier Force from 1937–1941 and was twice mentioned in despatches.
Hackett fought with the British Army in the Second World War Syria-Lebanon campaign, where he was wounded and as a result of his actions was awarded the Military Cross. In the North African campaign he commanded C Squadron of the 8th Hussars (his parent unit) and was wounded again when his Stuart tank was hit during the battles for Sidi Rezegh airfield. He was severely burnt when escaping the stricken vehicle. He received his first Distinguished Service Order for this event.
Whilst recuperating at GHQ in Cairo he was instrumental in the formation of the Long Range Desert Group, the Special Air Service and Popski's Private Army.
In 1944, Hackett raised and commanded the 4th Parachute Brigade for the Allied assault on Arnhem, in Operation Market Garden. In the battle at Arnhem Brigadier Hackett was severely wounded in the stomach, was captured and taken to the St. Elizabeth Hospital in Arnhem. A German doctor at the hospital wanted to administer a lethal injection to Hackett, because he thought that the case was hopeless. However he was operated on by Lipmann Kessel, who with superb surgery managed to save the brigadier's life.
After a period of recuperation, he managed to escape with the help of the Dutch underground. Although he was unfit to be moved, the Germans were about to move him to a POW camp. He was taken by 'Piet van Arnhem', a resistance worker from Ede, and driven to Ede. They were stopped on the way but Hackett had extra bloody bandages applied, to make him look even worse than he was. Piet told the checkpoint that they were taking him to hospital. They were let through despite the hospital being in the opposite direction, from which they had just come.
He was hidden by a Dutch family called de Nooij who lived at No. 5 Torenstraat in Ede, an address that no longer exists due to development. The de Nooij family nursed the brigadier back to health over a period of several months and he then managed to escape again with the help of the underground. He remained friends with the de Nooij family for the rest of their lives, visiting them immediately after they were liberated, bearing gifts. Hackett wrote about this experience in his book I Was A Stranger in 1978. He received his second DSO for his service at Arnhem.
He returned to Palestine in 1947 where he assumed command of the Trans-Jordan Frontier Force. Under his direction the force was disbanded as part of the British withdrawal from the region.[1] He attended university at Graz as a postgraduate in Post Mediæval Studies. After attending Staff College in 1951 he was appointed
Hackett, who was nicknamed "Shan", was born in Perth, Western Australia. His Irish Australian father, Sir John Winthrop Hackett (1848–1916), originally from Tipperary,was a newspaper proprietor and politician and his mother was Deborah Drake-Brockman (1887–1965) — later Lady Deborah Hackett, Lady Deborah Moulden and Dr Deborah Buller Murphy — a director of mining companies. John Hackett junior's maternal grandparents were prominent members of Western Australian society: Grace Bussell, famous for rescuing shipwreck survivors as a teenager and Frederick Slade Drake-Brockman, a prominent surveyor and explorer.
He received secondary schooling at Geelong Grammar School in Victoria, Australia, after which he travelled to London to study painting at the Central School of Art. He then studied Greats and Modern History at New College, Oxford. As his degree was not good enough for an academic career, Hackett joined the British Army and was commissioned into the 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars in 1933, having previously joined the Supplementary Reserve of Officers in 1931.
He served in Mandate Palestine and was mentioned in despatches in 1936[1] and then with the Trans-Jordan Frontier Force from 1937–1941 and was twice mentioned in despatches.
Hackett fought with the British Army in the Second World War Syria-Lebanon campaign, where he was wounded and as a result of his actions was awarded the Military Cross. In the North African campaign he commanded C Squadron of the 8th Hussars (his parent unit) and was wounded again when his Stuart tank was hit during the battles for Sidi Rezegh airfield. He was severely burnt when escaping the stricken vehicle. He received his first Distinguished Service Order for this event.
Whilst recuperating at GHQ in Cairo he was instrumental in the formation of the Long Range Desert Group, the Special Air Service and Popski's Private Army.
In 1944, Hackett raised and commanded the 4th Parachute Brigade for the Allied assault on Arnhem, in Operation Market Garden. In the battle at Arnhem Brigadier Hackett was severely wounded in the stomach, was captured and taken to the St. Elizabeth Hospital in Arnhem. A German doctor at the hospital wanted to administer a lethal injection to Hackett, because he thought that the case was hopeless. However he was operated on by Lipmann Kessel, who with superb surgery managed to save the brigadier's life.
After a period of recuperation, he managed to escape with the help of the Dutch underground. Although he was unfit to be moved, the Germans were about to move him to a POW camp. He was taken by 'Piet van Arnhem', a resistance worker from Ede, and driven to Ede. They were stopped on the way but Hackett had extra bloody bandages applied, to make him look even worse than he was. Piet told the checkpoint that they were taking him to hospital. They were let through despite the hospital being in the opposite direction, from which they had just come.
He was hidden by a Dutch family called de Nooij who lived at No. 5 Torenstraat in Ede, an address that no longer exists due to development. The de Nooij family nursed the brigadier back to health over a period of several months and he then managed to escape again with the help of the underground. He remained friends with the de Nooij family for the rest of their lives, visiting them immediately after they were liberated, bearing gifts. Hackett wrote about this experience in his book I Was A Stranger in 1978. He received his second DSO for his service at Arnhem.
He returned to Palestine in 1947 where he assumed command of the Trans-Jordan Frontier Force. Under his direction the force was disbanded as part of the British withdrawal from the region.[1] He attended university at Graz as a postgraduate in Post Mediæval Studies. After attending Staff College in 1951 he was appointed
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June 20, 2024
When I started reading this book four years ago, I was incredulous.
For this is one of the best nonfiction accounts of Allied bravery behind German lines from the War that I have as yet read. Yet its reviews are few and far between on GR.
Why’s that?
Well, for that I have to thank only myself and the others of my generation, most of whom are still living, for we are among the last who saw its effects.
You see, those long-lasting effects of the War inculcated a cold dread of modern warfare into our too-sensitive souls. And so many of us, used to soft creature comforts, became pronounced pacifists.
But so many of us others here are utterly unaware of the personal mortal hazards endured by the Dutch people, who were not quite firmly enough under the iron boot of Nazism for Hitler’s liking.
For these wonderful people, like our soldiers who managed to save us from his totalitarian yoke - by the skin of their teeth - were proud members of the Greatest Generation.
These people put up with a meagre subsistence for ten full years, during the Depression... and then endured THIS LIVING HELL.
Many of them donning the uniform.
But you know what? These folks were so happy to be still alive in a Free World that they plunged RIGHT INTO THE THICK OF IT ALL... out of sheer gratitude for their lives and freedom.
We all know that the Cold War paralysed so many of the postwar generations with a dreary cynicism.
But guess what? We have never nearly risked LOSING our comforts FOR GOOD - let alone for a few unwired minutes - as did so many of these old-timers. Until now, with COVID-19.
But these gentle souls of the Netherlands who risked instant death, or a much slower and more tortuous death as a traitor in Auschwitz or Treblinka, to save the life of one British soldier - whom none of them knew personally - were PHENOMENALLY BRAVE.
You have often seen stories in the news about comparably audacious people, but these folks were not cold images on your nightly news.
These people were warm, innocent folks with too many problems of their own to risk throwing their lives away for a stranger.
Yet that’s exactly what these gentle homebodies did.
And this, too, is a gentle book that springs very few grisly surprises on us readers, from a gentle man.
Yes, for General Sir John Hackett was a thoughtful, gentle guy.
I know, PTSD can do that to a man.
That’s why General (NOT so high ranking during the War) Hackett decided to write this shortly after demobilisation.
He had to get his devilish nightmares out of his system. While he kept on slogging through his peacetime promotions to that high rank.
And Hackett was kind and gentle by his nature, so he had no choice, for his own peace of mind.
I know.
My stepmom’s late brother, a career soldier and a fellow general,knew him to be a quiet, self-effacing senior officer.
His exorcism had worked.
That exorcism we know as Catharsis.
its product, this book, is Beautiful.
And the book that I read was my late stepmom’s treasured copy.
For this is one of the best nonfiction accounts of Allied bravery behind German lines from the War that I have as yet read. Yet its reviews are few and far between on GR.
Why’s that?
Well, for that I have to thank only myself and the others of my generation, most of whom are still living, for we are among the last who saw its effects.
You see, those long-lasting effects of the War inculcated a cold dread of modern warfare into our too-sensitive souls. And so many of us, used to soft creature comforts, became pronounced pacifists.
But so many of us others here are utterly unaware of the personal mortal hazards endured by the Dutch people, who were not quite firmly enough under the iron boot of Nazism for Hitler’s liking.
For these wonderful people, like our soldiers who managed to save us from his totalitarian yoke - by the skin of their teeth - were proud members of the Greatest Generation.
These people put up with a meagre subsistence for ten full years, during the Depression... and then endured THIS LIVING HELL.
Many of them donning the uniform.
But you know what? These folks were so happy to be still alive in a Free World that they plunged RIGHT INTO THE THICK OF IT ALL... out of sheer gratitude for their lives and freedom.
We all know that the Cold War paralysed so many of the postwar generations with a dreary cynicism.
But guess what? We have never nearly risked LOSING our comforts FOR GOOD - let alone for a few unwired minutes - as did so many of these old-timers. Until now, with COVID-19.
But these gentle souls of the Netherlands who risked instant death, or a much slower and more tortuous death as a traitor in Auschwitz or Treblinka, to save the life of one British soldier - whom none of them knew personally - were PHENOMENALLY BRAVE.
You have often seen stories in the news about comparably audacious people, but these folks were not cold images on your nightly news.
These people were warm, innocent folks with too many problems of their own to risk throwing their lives away for a stranger.
Yet that’s exactly what these gentle homebodies did.
And this, too, is a gentle book that springs very few grisly surprises on us readers, from a gentle man.
Yes, for General Sir John Hackett was a thoughtful, gentle guy.
I know, PTSD can do that to a man.
That’s why General (NOT so high ranking during the War) Hackett decided to write this shortly after demobilisation.
He had to get his devilish nightmares out of his system. While he kept on slogging through his peacetime promotions to that high rank.
And Hackett was kind and gentle by his nature, so he had no choice, for his own peace of mind.
I know.
My stepmom’s late brother, a career soldier and a fellow general,knew him to be a quiet, self-effacing senior officer.
His exorcism had worked.
That exorcism we know as Catharsis.
its product, this book, is Beautiful.
And the book that I read was my late stepmom’s treasured copy.
August 2, 2021
This autobiography tells us the story of a British officer who was wounded during the Battle of Arnhem in Holland in 1944. He was sequestered and hidden by a Dutch family in the village of Ede. It was occupied by the Germans and from his bedroom window the author saw Nazis walking by daily. He resided in their house from October, 1944 to February of 1945 when his escape was organized by the Dutch resistance.
The author was fed, nurtured from his stomach and leg wounds, and most of all the Dutch family gave him human kindness during a time when their country was occupied by the Nazis.
This is a very tender story of immense generosity during an era of extreme brutality. If the author had been caught, the entire Dutch family would likely have been executed.
There were parts, more so at the beginning and towards the end, describing battles and various military comrades that could have been edited out. These were extraneous. I also found the sentence structure awkward at times.
The wonderful essence of this narrative is of the time spent by the author in the Dutch house where he says that he felt once again like a small child, secure in the comfort of his home and being cared for by a loving family who protected him from the ruthless outside world.
The author was fed, nurtured from his stomach and leg wounds, and most of all the Dutch family gave him human kindness during a time when their country was occupied by the Nazis.
This is a very tender story of immense generosity during an era of extreme brutality. If the author had been caught, the entire Dutch family would likely have been executed.
There were parts, more so at the beginning and towards the end, describing battles and various military comrades that could have been edited out. These were extraneous. I also found the sentence structure awkward at times.
The wonderful essence of this narrative is of the time spent by the author in the Dutch house where he says that he felt once again like a small child, secure in the comfort of his home and being cared for by a loving family who protected him from the ruthless outside world.
April 23, 2015
I read this book with more-than-usual interest, as my Grandfather was an "underdiver" in the Netherlands during part of the war. I was astounded at General Hackett's recall of events until I got to the end where he told how he wrote this account in the year after it happened. Nonetheless, he must have been taking notes - his descriptions are as crisp and clear as if they happened yesterday.
This is a book full of remarkable people. Hackett himself, the family he was hidden by (Uncles, Aunts, brothers, sisters - the whole clan contributed in some way to his care and safety), the resistance members who daily risked their lives for all those they helped, and for me the most interesting - the female couriers who escorted the divers from place to place, delivered documents and explosives and whatever else necessary right under the nose of the Germans - in this particular story, 2 couriers, one 40 yrs. old, and the other 19.
I really could go on and on. The book brings up so many thoughts and questions. This is not the ugly side of the war - it is harrowing and beautiful, but a story of people doing what they believe to be right at any cost to themselves, with grace and full hearts.
John Hackett, when preparing at last to escape German occupied territory after recovering from his wounds, makes this remark, "There was the expectation of excitement and change, of freedom and a new life and the delight of setting out to go home. My spirits, borne upon thoughts like this, soared like a kite but at the other end of the string was a heavy little stone of sadness. I was leaving behind me a rare and beautiful thing. It was a structure of kindness and courage, of steadfast devotion and quiet selflessness, which it was a high privilege to have known. I had been witness to an act of faith, simple, unobtrusive and imperishable. I had often seen bravery in battle. I now also knew the unconquerable strength of the gentle."
Another moving moment happens during Hackett's escape. He has been traveling at night in a canoe along a river with a silent but not unfriendly stranger - they stop at one point and get out on the bank to wait for someone - Hackett does not know who or what, and no one explains. While they wait, he realizes there are more people - some of whom might well be doing exactly what he is doing. "I was cramped and stood up to move about a little. The wind blew in great gusts. Stinging drops of water, whether of spray or driven rain, hit me in the face. A shape grew before me, hovered uncertainly, and drew close. It was a woman.
"Good luck," said a low voice in English.
A man appeared beside her.
"Good luck," said he and a hand found mine and grasped it.
They turned and left me like wraiths as a third came up.
"Good luck, Englishman," a voice murmured in Dutch.
Another woman's form materialized.
"Goodbye." The voice was a whisper blown by the wind, barely heard.
Yet another stood beside me, and a hand felt for my arm.
"Look, here are biscuits," and a little paper packet was thrust into my hand.
Then I was suddenly alone again, moved and uplifted as I had so often been among the Dutch."
There are so many utterly sickening and horrific stories about war, and these need to be told and learned from. But there are also stories of quiet resistance like this one, and these are important too. Another book I read on a similar topic, ( "The Courage to Care: Rescuers of Jews During the Holocaust" by Carol Rittner, Sondra Myers) made a similar impression on me - the kindness of strangers - this is what has saved so many in the end. Small things sometimes, other times incredible sacrifices.
The kindness of strangers. May I never forget how much it matters.
This is a book full of remarkable people. Hackett himself, the family he was hidden by (Uncles, Aunts, brothers, sisters - the whole clan contributed in some way to his care and safety), the resistance members who daily risked their lives for all those they helped, and for me the most interesting - the female couriers who escorted the divers from place to place, delivered documents and explosives and whatever else necessary right under the nose of the Germans - in this particular story, 2 couriers, one 40 yrs. old, and the other 19.
I really could go on and on. The book brings up so many thoughts and questions. This is not the ugly side of the war - it is harrowing and beautiful, but a story of people doing what they believe to be right at any cost to themselves, with grace and full hearts.
John Hackett, when preparing at last to escape German occupied territory after recovering from his wounds, makes this remark, "There was the expectation of excitement and change, of freedom and a new life and the delight of setting out to go home. My spirits, borne upon thoughts like this, soared like a kite but at the other end of the string was a heavy little stone of sadness. I was leaving behind me a rare and beautiful thing. It was a structure of kindness and courage, of steadfast devotion and quiet selflessness, which it was a high privilege to have known. I had been witness to an act of faith, simple, unobtrusive and imperishable. I had often seen bravery in battle. I now also knew the unconquerable strength of the gentle."
Another moving moment happens during Hackett's escape. He has been traveling at night in a canoe along a river with a silent but not unfriendly stranger - they stop at one point and get out on the bank to wait for someone - Hackett does not know who or what, and no one explains. While they wait, he realizes there are more people - some of whom might well be doing exactly what he is doing. "I was cramped and stood up to move about a little. The wind blew in great gusts. Stinging drops of water, whether of spray or driven rain, hit me in the face. A shape grew before me, hovered uncertainly, and drew close. It was a woman.
"Good luck," said a low voice in English.
A man appeared beside her.
"Good luck," said he and a hand found mine and grasped it.
They turned and left me like wraiths as a third came up.
"Good luck, Englishman," a voice murmured in Dutch.
Another woman's form materialized.
"Goodbye." The voice was a whisper blown by the wind, barely heard.
Yet another stood beside me, and a hand felt for my arm.
"Look, here are biscuits," and a little paper packet was thrust into my hand.
Then I was suddenly alone again, moved and uplifted as I had so often been among the Dutch."
There are so many utterly sickening and horrific stories about war, and these need to be told and learned from. But there are also stories of quiet resistance like this one, and these are important too. Another book I read on a similar topic, ( "The Courage to Care: Rescuers of Jews During the Holocaust" by Carol Rittner, Sondra Myers) made a similar impression on me - the kindness of strangers - this is what has saved so many in the end. Small things sometimes, other times incredible sacrifices.
The kindness of strangers. May I never forget how much it matters.
February 5, 2017
Striking autobiography of a wounded British Brigadier General, given to the care of the Nazis as the British withdrew from the failed attempt to capture Arnheim, then hidden by a Dutch family for more than four months until well enough to bicycle miles in the snow, then cross two rivers to British held territory. Most noteworthy--because it has essentially vanished from today's world--is the staunch Christian faith that kept hope alive both for the author and for the family taking the grave risk of hiding such a high-ranking escapee.
Once out of Nazi territory, the author is treated to a dinner by Monty, then zips home in time to intercept the telegram telling his wife she may not, after all, be a widow. God wasn't dead back then.
Once out of Nazi territory, the author is treated to a dinner by Monty, then zips home in time to intercept the telegram telling his wife she may not, after all, be a widow. God wasn't dead back then.
January 24, 2018
During the Battle of Arnhem in World War II , British General Sir John Hackett was severely injured. He was taken to a hospital being held by Germans. A German doctor wanted to give him Morphine and let him die, but a South African doctor performed what was then a very risky surgery. He was due to be sent to a prisoner of war camp, ( where I'm guessing that in the shape he was in he would have died) when he was spirited out of the hospital by the Dutch resistance and went into hiding in the town of Ede where he was cared for by a Dutch family at great risk. He grew to think of them as family, such tender care did they provide him. At first it was not even certain that he would survive, but after some months convalescence, and several attempts, the resistance was able to shepherd him back to England where he continued recuperating. After the war he was able to go back and visit his "family" and remained close to them for his whole life. The title of the book is based on Matthew 25:35.
January 31, 2022
לא מזמן קראתי בספרו הבדיוני של ניצן וייסמן "מקום" על "צוללים", הכינוי ההולנדי, לאנשים, יהודים ולא יהודים, שהוסתרו והסתתרו מפני כוחות הכיבוש הגרמניים בהולנד בזמן מלחמת העולם השנייה. הספר הזה (שרכשתי מהוצאת הספרים של כתב העת הספרותי האנגלי slightly foxed, המתמקדת בהוצאה מחדש של ממוארים בכריכה קשה בפורמט של ספרי כיס – ועבור מי שעדיין דוגם ספרים פיזיים אציין שהספר כרוך ממש נפלא, באופן מוקפד כמו שלא רואים יותר היום ותענוג לקרוא בו ולהחזיקו ביד) החזיר אותי לאותו נושא פחות או יותר ולאותה תקופה, הפעם לסיפורו האמיתי של קצין אנגלי פצוע.
ג'ון האקט, שסיים את דרכו בתור גנרל בכיר בצבא הבריטי ובנאטו והתפרסם בזכות ספר שפרסם על השתלשלותה האפשרית של מלחמת עולם שלישית, נולד באוסטרליה ועבר בצעירותו לאנגליה. הוא למד לימודים קלאסיים וציור באוקספורד והדבר ניכר בספר הזה, שלמרות שהוא כתוב בשפה עניינית ותמציתית, יש בו גם פיוטיות מדודה וניכרת בו אהבתו לספרים וקריאה. מאחר ולא הצליח להשיג משרת מרצה באקדמיה, התגייס לצבא הבריטי והחל את שרותו בפלשתינה-א"י בעיקר בחיל הספר הירדני. בירושלים התחתן עם אוסטרית שפגש בטבריה, מה שהקשה עליו קצת בירוקרטית כשפרצה מלחת העולם השנייה.
אצטט מוויקיפדיה: "האקט השתתף במערכה בסוריה ובלבנון בשנת 1941 ונפצע במהלכה. על שרותו במבצע זה זכה בצלב הצבאי. לאחר החלמתו מונה למפקד יחידת שריון במערכה בצפון אפריקה. בקרב ליד שדה התעופה סידי נפצע האקט שוב ונשלח להחלמה במפקדה בקהיר, על חלקו בקרב בו נפצע זכה באות השירות המצוין הראשון שלו. בעת שהותו בקהיר סייע בהקמת קבוצת המדבר ארוכת הטווח ובייחוד בהקמת צבאו הפרטי של פופסקי שהייתה חלק ממנה.
בשנת 1943 קיבל האקט את הפיקוד על חטיבת הצנחנים הרביעית של הדיוויזיה המוטסת הראשונה באיטליה ובשנת 1944, בתפקיד זה, לקח חלק בקרב ארנהם, כחלק ממבצע "מרקט גארדן". במהלך הקרב, ב-24 בספטמבר נפצע קשה מרסיס של פגז." סוף ציטוט.
כאן מתחיל בעצם סיפורו של הספר הזה, המתאר את קורותיו של האקט למן פציעתו, פציעת בטן וירך קשה, דרך שהותו במסתור אצל משפחה פרוטסטנטית הולנדית וכלה בהברחתו על ידי בן המשפחה וחברי מחתרת הולנדיים אל מעבר לקו החזית והחזרתו לידי הכוחות הבריטיים. מבצע "מקרט גארדן" בו השתתף האקט נכשל למעשה (גשר אחד רחוק מידי) וחטיבתו הושמדה למעשה (מאלף איש שרדו רק כמאה). האקט פונה מקו החזית על ידי חיילים בריטיים אל בית חולים בשליטה גרמנית בו שהו (למעשה כשבויים) רופאים ומנתחים בריטיים מהכוחות התוקפים! האקט נותח על ידי מנתח צבאי יהודי דרום-אפריקאי, שלמעשה הציל את חייו בניגוד לעצתו של רופא מהאס-אס שטען כי חיילים גרמנים באותו מצב היו מומתים בזריקה. לאחר כמה ימים הוברח מבית החולים על-ידי אנשי מחתרת הולנדיים כדי למנוע את נפילתו בשבי.
בהתחלה הייתה לי הקריאה בספר מוזרה קצת. כתיבתו של האקט והתנהלותו בריטיים לעילא. הומור דק, אנקדוטות, ובעיקר אנדרסטייטמנט מובלט. אין כאן תיאוריי קרבות עוצרי נשימה וגם דברים קשים, מותחים או מרגשים (אם היה נתפש היו בני המשפחה שספקו לו מסתור מוצאים להורג) מתוארים בלי כל התלהמות או האדרה שהייתה מאפיינת כתיבה עכשווית יותר. הכל מדוד. התנהגותו של האקט בריטית לחלוטין ומנומסת, והמשפחה יראת השמים שגוננה עליו מאופקת ושמרנית להחריד. הוא מקטר ומתלהב מדברים פשוטים לחלוטין ומנגד לא מפריז בתיאור הסכנות או הכאבים שלו. סגנון הכתיבה הזכיר לי ספרים בריטיים שקראתי בילדותי. העולם השתנה, סיפור כזה או כתיבה כזו כבר אינם אפשריים. כיום היו הדברים מוצגים בצורה שונה לחלוטין. הפשטות האיפוק והחסכנות, גם בחיים בהולנד הכבושה וגם בצורת הכתיבה, שונים כל כך מהחיים הבזבזניים וההתבטאויות ההיסטריות בישראל של תקופת הקורונה, שעם ההסתגלות לספר חשתי כי אני נמצא בעולם אנושי ותרבותי שונה לחלוטין מזה של חיי היום-יום. אם בתחילה חשבתי שאעניק לו 3 כוכבים סולידיים, הרי שעם התמשכות הכתיבה אהבתי את הסיפור וקצבו המדוד והתרגשתי בסיומו למרות שהיה צפוי וקצת קיטשי.
ג'ון האקט, שסיים את דרכו בתור גנרל בכיר בצבא הבריטי ובנאטו והתפרסם בזכות ספר שפרסם על השתלשלותה האפשרית של מלחמת עולם שלישית, נולד באוסטרליה ועבר בצעירותו לאנגליה. הוא למד לימודים קלאסיים וציור באוקספורד והדבר ניכר בספר הזה, שלמרות שהוא כתוב בשפה עניינית ותמציתית, יש בו גם פיוטיות מדודה וניכרת בו אהבתו לספרים וקריאה. מאחר ולא הצליח להשיג משרת מרצה באקדמיה, התגייס לצבא הבריטי והחל את שרותו בפלשתינה-א"י בעיקר בחיל הספר הירדני. בירושלים התחתן עם אוסטרית שפגש בטבריה, מה שהקשה עליו קצת בירוקרטית כשפרצה מלחת העולם השנייה.
אצטט מוויקיפדיה: "האקט השתתף במערכה בסוריה ובלבנון בשנת 1941 ונפצע במהלכה. על שרותו במבצע זה זכה בצלב הצבאי. לאחר החלמתו מונה למפקד יחידת שריון במערכה בצפון אפריקה. בקרב ליד שדה התעופה סידי נפצע האקט שוב ונשלח להחלמה במפקדה בקהיר, על חלקו בקרב בו נפצע זכה באות השירות המצוין הראשון שלו. בעת שהותו בקהיר סייע בהקמת קבוצת המדבר ארוכת הטווח ובייחוד בהקמת צבאו הפרטי של פופסקי שהייתה חלק ממנה.
בשנת 1943 קיבל האקט את הפיקוד על חטיבת הצנחנים הרביעית של הדיוויזיה המוטסת הראשונה באיטליה ובשנת 1944, בתפקיד זה, לקח חלק בקרב ארנהם, כחלק ממבצע "מרקט גארדן". במהלך הקרב, ב-24 בספטמבר נפצע קשה מרסיס של פגז." סוף ציטוט.
כאן מתחיל בעצם סיפורו של הספר הזה, המתאר את קורותיו של האקט למן פציעתו, פציעת בטן וירך קשה, דרך שהותו במסתור אצל משפחה פרוטסטנטית הולנדית וכלה בהברחתו על ידי בן המשפחה וחברי מחתרת הולנדיים אל מעבר לקו החזית והחזרתו לידי הכוחות הבריטיים. מבצע "מקרט גארדן" בו השתתף האקט נכשל למעשה (גשר אחד רחוק מידי) וחטיבתו הושמדה למעשה (מאלף איש שרדו רק כמאה). האקט פונה מקו החזית על ידי חיילים בריטיים אל בית חולים בשליטה גרמנית בו שהו (למעשה כשבויים) רופאים ומנתחים בריטיים מהכוחות התוקפים! האקט נותח על ידי מנתח צבאי יהודי דרום-אפריקאי, שלמעשה הציל את חייו בניגוד לעצתו של רופא מהאס-אס שטען כי חיילים גרמנים באותו מצב היו מומתים בזריקה. לאחר כמה ימים הוברח מבית החולים על-ידי אנשי מחתרת הולנדיים כדי למנוע את נפילתו בשבי.
בהתחלה הייתה לי הקריאה בספר מוזרה קצת. כתיבתו של האקט והתנהלותו בריטיים לעילא. הומור דק, אנקדוטות, ובעיקר אנדרסטייטמנט מובלט. אין כאן תיאוריי קרבות עוצרי נשימה וגם דברים קשים, מותחים או מרגשים (אם היה נתפש היו בני המשפחה שספקו לו מסתור מוצאים להורג) מתוארים בלי כל התלהמות או האדרה שהייתה מאפיינת כתיבה עכשווית יותר. הכל מדוד. התנהגותו של האקט בריטית לחלוטין ומנומסת, והמשפחה יראת השמים שגוננה עליו מאופקת ושמרנית להחריד. הוא מקטר ומתלהב מדברים פשוטים לחלוטין ומנגד לא מפריז בתיאור הסכנות או הכאבים שלו. סגנון הכתיבה הזכיר לי ספרים בריטיים שקראתי בילדותי. העולם השתנה, סיפור כזה או כתיבה כזו כבר אינם אפשריים. כיום היו הדברים מוצגים בצורה שונה לחלוטין. הפשטות האיפוק והחסכנות, גם בחיים בהולנד הכבושה וגם בצורת הכתיבה, שונים כל כך מהחיים הבזבזניים וההתבטאויות ההיסטריות בישראל של תקופת הקורונה, שעם ההסתגלות לספר חשתי כי אני נמצא בעולם אנושי ותרבותי שונה לחלוטין מזה של חיי היום-יום. אם בתחילה חשבתי שאעניק לו 3 כוכבים סולידיים, הרי שעם התמשכות הכתיבה אהבתי את הסיפור וקצבו המדוד והתרגשתי בסיומו למרות שהיה צפוי וקצת קיטשי.
October 9, 2018
A war book with a difference, General Hackett as he was to become, was seriously injured during the battle of Arnhem, captured but managed to escape. This book is largely about his being sheltered by Dutch families until he was finally able to make a final escape with much help from the Dutch resistance, to England. Those who sheltered him took tremendous risks.
I found this book through a column called "Five of the best" in the Saturday WSJ, here a person selects- not surprisingly five of the best books on a topic. The problem is that in many cases the book is unavailable at a reasonable price ($80 through Amazon or AbeBooks). However I found WWW.foxedquarterly.com that makes reprints available for a number of books, if you enjoy "older" books well worth a visit.
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I found this book through a column called "Five of the best" in the Saturday WSJ, here a person selects- not surprisingly five of the best books on a topic. The problem is that in many cases the book is unavailable at a reasonable price ($80 through Amazon or AbeBooks). However I found WWW.foxedquarterly.com that makes reprints available for a number of books, if you enjoy "older" books well worth a visit.
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January 16, 2022
I rarely read books like this (accounts from WWII) but this one was entirely worth it for one passage in particular! Page 229 (the slightly fixed version) has brought me to tears every. single. time. I’ve read it.
June 5, 2021
I spent a long time thinking about how to rate this book, and what to say about it. It is not the sort of book I usually read, and I feel that, in part, I was not the right reader to fully appreciate this book.
It starts with a skimming over of the military position and manoeuvres which left Hackett injured and behind enemy lines, and, in all honestly, if this book hadn’t come highly recommended I would have given up at that point as much of it was beyond my comprehension. There are also sections of this book which have clearly not been written by a ‘writer’ - too many people introduced too quickly, before they have real relevance to the events, then when they are relevant I had to remind myself who they were. And many of these people have more than one name, and I wish Hackett had, for the purposes of narrative clarity, picked one name for them and stuck with it.
This is clearly a book written from memory, and as such it has times when the time line seems somewhat elastic and gives the appearance of being contradictory. This irritated me at first but as the narrative developed I began to see the book differently. This is not a memoir of an event. It is the journal of someone’s trauma. As such his memory is unreliable and events which seem incredulous begin to make sense. And while Hackett’s own strength is admirable, it is the Dutch family that must be most lauded in this, and John Hackett’s own regard for them is apparent on every page.
It starts with a skimming over of the military position and manoeuvres which left Hackett injured and behind enemy lines, and, in all honestly, if this book hadn’t come highly recommended I would have given up at that point as much of it was beyond my comprehension. There are also sections of this book which have clearly not been written by a ‘writer’ - too many people introduced too quickly, before they have real relevance to the events, then when they are relevant I had to remind myself who they were. And many of these people have more than one name, and I wish Hackett had, for the purposes of narrative clarity, picked one name for them and stuck with it.
This is clearly a book written from memory, and as such it has times when the time line seems somewhat elastic and gives the appearance of being contradictory. This irritated me at first but as the narrative developed I began to see the book differently. This is not a memoir of an event. It is the journal of someone’s trauma. As such his memory is unreliable and events which seem incredulous begin to make sense. And while Hackett’s own strength is admirable, it is the Dutch family that must be most lauded in this, and John Hackett’s own regard for them is apparent on every page.
April 9, 2014
"They also serve who only stand and wait." This quotation from one of Milton's sonnets sums up John Hackett's attitude toward his time hidden and hiding from the Nazis in the Netherlands. He was a brigadier, leading a British parachute company, wounded in the fall of 1944. I give away nothing to say he escaped, the map and fact of the book give that away. Nonetheless, the reader feels the tension, not knowing exactly how the escape will be made or who all will make it. Hackett writes well (with an occasional overwrought phrase--who can blame him), and I enjoyed the role reading played in passing the time as he grew strong enough to return to Britain. His solace came from religious sources, for the most part: a bible was his first reading and which his hosts were equally devoted. Just as important, an anthology of poetry including much of Milton from whom he gained strength as well. I hold Milton's treatment of his daughters against him and am therefore prejudiced--I admit completely--but I don't question other's admiration. However, all was not devout: he specifically requested Vanity Fair, and the fact that one of his young resistance fighters managed to secure a copy for him shows a little example of man's humanity toward man. The little acts are easier to comprehend than the massive daring of putting your entire family in danger for the sake of a stranger.
April 20, 2014
Superb. According to an American friend of mine: ‘Riveting! Fine writing; powerful, intense, concise, nary a word not relevant to the telling. [I’m] transfixed by the tale.’ (A handsome new hardback edition was published early in 2014 by Slightly Foxed, London.)
December 8, 2021
I Was A Stranger, His Famous Memoir, by General Sir John Hackett (1977, 223pp). This is the story of British Brigade commander Hackett who, in the failed battle at Arnhem, was wounded and ultimately hidden by the Dutch Resistance. His unit was all but destroyed before escaping the failed assault. He spent many months sheltered, somewhat in plain sight, by an extraordinarily generous and courageous family. Though seen through his limited lens, it is more the story of that amazing family and the brave Dutch resistance who ultimately spirited him away to Allied lines. Quite a compelling read.
March 1, 2019
An incredible story. Brigadier (later General) Hackett's autobiography tells the tale of a humble but truly inspirational man. Someone who achieved a significant amount in their personal and professional lives, it is telling that he focuses almost exclusively on this period in hiding in occupied Holland. Moving, insightful and extremely well written - highly recommended.
August 7, 2023
I Was a Stranger does an admirable job shedding a light on the experiences of underdivers in the occupied Netherlands towards the end of WW2. At times the narrative can get a bit lost in the reflections of the author, or in the twists and turns that make up real life. Overall, though, this book is a worthy read to put you in Hackett’s shoes.
August 13, 2025
this took me longer to finish than i wanted as it felt rather slow. however, it picked up in the latter half and i think it was definitely worth the read. a thoughtful and honest wartime memoir is a rarity, and john hackett does well in both showing up authentically, narrating with depth, and overall telling a good story.
May 6, 2020
In terms of war memoirs, this one is sort of a hybrid because it is more about Hackett's experiences after he was wounded and escaped evacuation to a prisoner of war camp with the help of locals who sheltered him. It is an interesting study in how people survived Nazi occupation.
November 2, 2022
Fascinating personal account of the extraordinary care and bravery shown to Hackett by an ordinary family and the Dutch resistance while he was an injured prisoner in hiding, recovering and eventually escaping from the Germans in occupied Holland during the 2nd World War.
April 15, 2024
Many have reviewed this book. I knew little of Holland in WWII and this an incredible book. Hard to put down story of Sir John Hackett and Dutch resistance.
Other books recommended at the end of the book by author will all be on my reading lists.
Other books recommended at the end of the book by author will all be on my reading lists.
July 9, 2021
A work of literature. I just reread this masterpiece and once again was reduced to tears by the epic courage of the family that took Hackett in.
December 21, 2021
This book is a study in courage both from the perspective of Sir Hackett and the Dutch people. What a great read.
June 29, 2023
A fascinating, inspiring story most remarkable for the author’s eloquent, moving expressions of profound gratitude to the Dutch family who sheltered and saved him.
March 9, 2025
A beautiful little book about regular humans being remarkable to each other. A welcome read.
March 15, 2025
Good book, not great.
August 15, 2025
brilliantly written snapshot in time
September 3, 2025
A well-written tribute to the Dutch Resistance.
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December 30, 2020British Brigadier General Hackett’s memoir (one of the lovely Slightly Foxed series) is a moving and harrowing account of his escape from German hands through the bravery of Dutch resistance workers and their families.
July 30, 2019
I recommend this book for anyone who wants to see the best of humanity while suffering under the oppression of war. The Dutch citizens who aided General Sir John Hackett were true heroes and showed the best answer to tyranny. I was fortunate enough to meet a Canadian bomber pilot who was engaged in Operation Market Garden. He told me him and his crew dropped bales of food to starving civilians who had lost so much like those portrayed in this book. I take my hat off to all of them.
December 22, 2019
World War II.
You've got a bad abdominal wound, sewn up under the most austere conditions.
A Dutch family hides you in their house for months, a stone's throw from a German unit.
You gather your strength until able to escape back to England.
You're also a wonderful writer.
That's "I Was a Stranger."
Highly recommended.
You've got a bad abdominal wound, sewn up under the most austere conditions.
A Dutch family hides you in their house for months, a stone's throw from a German unit.
You gather your strength until able to escape back to England.
You're also a wonderful writer.
That's "I Was a Stranger."
Highly recommended.
February 24, 2014
As a person that typically reads fiction, the read was a bit dry but I couldn't give up on it! Hackett's story is so unique and fantastical that even the parts that were a little snoozy were worth the read!
July 8, 2014
This book tells a truly remarkable war story of a Dutch family that harbours an English General behind enemy lines in World War II. One of the greatest surprises is that it is very well-written. The drama of the escape from occupied Holland is particularly harrowing.
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