Prisoner at Large: The Story of Five Escapes

by Ian Reid

Ian Reid tells his own story of after being captured in WWII and escapes several times from the German military who pursue British, American, and Australian forces who have become stranded in small villages. The Italian people help the soldiers.

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1947

About the author

Captain Ian D. Reid

Reviews

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covers the author's experiences as an escaped POW in Italy 1943. Originally written in 1947, so a good contemporaneous account. Well written - and knowing from the title the number of escapes (and hence recaptures) it kept me reading in suspense until the very end, there is real peril until the very last few pages and even a surprise confession at the end. I read it in one go, which is always a good indication (plus it was a bank holiday the next day, so I could read until 2 am without getting sacked...).

Leaves a lingering sense of admiration both for the bravery and endurance of the men involved, but also the astounding bravery and hospitality of the many Italians who risked everything - their lives and their families - to look after the escapees often for weeks on end. There are several shocking events which demonstrate the real dangers facing the escapees and their helpers, but this is also a heart warming tribute to the humanity shown by most of the Italian peasants the author encountered.

Recommend reading 'Dad's War' by the author's son (Howard Reid), which contains some welcome details on 'what happened next' and the son's attempts to retrace his father's journey more than 50 years later.