ESCAPING SOCIETY ES 1 - 40

ES2 Comet Line Signed Everitt Escaper
2 6 72 Bruxelles 1040 Brussel Special Postmark. Retour aux Pyrenees This Cover was taken from Waterloo, Belgium the HQ of Reseau Comete by members of the Comet line to Bayonne France and from there flown to RAF Northolt, England via Jersey in D.H.Devon Mk2, WB533 of No 21 Sqn

Signed by Gp.Capt.Randle who escaped via the Comet line

The Biaesbosch (Netherlands)

Pilot signed

Return to Stalag Luff III

Pilot signed.

Return to France

Pilot signed

Special Signed. Special Signed by Madane Helene Jullien Helper in Comete Escape route operating the 'Leclerc Line' arrested in June 1943 deported to Ravensbruck concentration camp,Rene Picard member of the French Air Force in 1939 to 40. Taken prisoner in June 1940, escaped in 1943. Was interned in Hungary escaped again and joined a group of French Fighters in Slovakia against the Germans,Jean Marti son of a help, whom he was assisting in 1939 to 40 when he was wounded. Posted to occupied France, joined a military Resistance group, then made his way to Spain, was interned, released and then joined the free French Air Force in Britain serving with 345 & 347 Squadrons. Details enclosed

14 6 73 Luxembourg Return to Luxembourg flown

Pilot signed

Escape from SE Asia

Pilot Signed in English.

Pilot signed (Thai)

Escape Asia Bridge over the River Kwai Signed 2 involved
10 6 74 Bangkok CDS ( Thailand)Escape from South East Asia ( The Bridge of the River Kwai )Cover depicts the River Kwai in Thailand, RAFES badge and Thai logo,British Forces 136 of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) operated in the jungles to help train the Free Siamese Movement, assit escapers ( including a few lucky ones who escaped from the building of the notorious Burma Siam Railway and attack the Japanese. Force 136 was supported by 357 ( Special Duties ) Squadron, Commanded by Wg Cdr ( now Air Chief Marshal Sir Lewis) Hodges, Vice President of the RAF Escaping Society. Flown by Thai International Airline DC8 63 HS TGS from Heathrow ( London ) to Bangkok ( Thailand) by Captain Krisnampok then in Royal Thai Air Force ,Siai Marchetti SF 260M Base from Royal Thai Air Force at Kamphaeng along the Burma Siam Railway to The Bridge on the River Kwai over areas where Force 136 and 357 (Special Duties ) Squadron operated and return by Sqn Ldr Sutes Somsiri RTAF then in Thai International DC8 33 HS TGS from Bangkok to Singapore and in 10 Sqn.
Personally Signed by ACM Sir Lewis Hodges, former CO of 357 ( Special duties ) Squadron etc, Khun Praphot Paurohitya ( Code name Noon ) a founder member of the Free Siamese element of Force 136 which he joined in 1943 Noon was a member of a three man team ( Code name Coupling ) which parachuted into Siam on the 5th December 1944. The team carried out 58 operations during which they prepared numerous landing grounds and DZs, received and dispatched Agents,Recruits POWs and Arms and helped train the Free Siamese Movement. Certified copy number of 1260. three different signed specials issued each signed 420. RAF Ref No ES7d

Escape to Switzerland

Pilot signed

15 10 74 Geneve Aeroport CDS Retour En Suisse. Cover depicts the Schaffhausen Salient in the Alps,RAFES badge and Swiss emblem.The First WW2 escaped from a German POW camp was made via Schaffhausen by 11 RAF POW's into Switzerland. Later Colditz Castle escapers Lt Col 'Airey Neave and Maj 'Pat' Reid and many others, including 627 Mosquito Squadron Navigator Fg Off Walker. As the air link between the UK and Switzerland was usually impossible, most escapers had to go via the Grenoble escape route operated by the French Resistance then either direct to the French Coast or over the Payrenees into Spain. Carried from Germany via Schaffhausen Salient to Geneva, then via Grenoble, Dijon, Rheims, St Quentin, St Omer, Calais, by sea to Dover and flown in 72 Sqn Wessex HR2 helicopter XJ725 from Dover to Battersea Heliport ( London ). Backstamped black Westland London and violet RAF Escaping Society.
Personally signed by Fg Off Walker who was shot down over France, was helped by the Maquis to reach Switzerland, then helped again by the Maquis to leave Switzerland and reach the American Forces in France. With Schaffhausen 90c stamp, violet route and Grenoble - Isere cachets. Certified Copy Signed by W.S.O. Randle WW11 Wellington pilot

Escape to Sweden.

Crew signed

Escape to Belgique

Pilot signed

Escape by Air from Belgium Signed 2 involved
13 6 75 Overijse Special Echappes de Belgique . Cover depicts Cadet Pilots Divoy and Donnet approaching Thorpe le Soken in their stolen Stame SV4B, RAFES badge and Belgian Air Force Pilot's Wings.Blue flown cachet . On 14th June 1975 this escape was recalled when they flew again flew a Stampe SV4B from Coxyde, Belgium, Via Calais, Southend on Sea to Thorpe Le Soken flight time 1hr 48 mins Pilot Lt Gen Baron Michael Donnet.
In July 1941 Cadet Pilots Leon Divoy ( Pilot ) and Michael Donnet ( Co Pilot ) escaped from Belgium in a rebuilt Stampe SV4B from Terbloc to Thorpe Le Soken. Both joined the RAF .Personally Signed by Cdt Leon Divoy and Lt Gen Baron Michel Donnet. Leon Divoy was involved in a mid air collision and became a POW in Stalag Luft 3 Zagen and after WW11 became a Sabena Airline Pilot. Michael Donnet In the second World War took part in the campaign of May 1940 with the 9th reconnaissance squadron. Prisoner of War from 1st June 1940 and was re-patriated to Belgium on the 10th January1941 after passing through 11 different prisoners camps.
On the night of the 4th /5th july 1941, he escaped from occupied Belgian in a training aircraft which had been kept in a heavily guared German Ammunition depot..Having arrived in great Britain he joined the RAF on the 26 July 1941 .He underwent fighter training in No 61 operation training unit and on the 6th September was posted to No 64 fighter squadron ,equipped with Spitfires. In this Sqn took part in fighter operational missions from September 1941 to November 1943.He commanded No 64 Sqn from March 1943 until November 1943.He took part in the operations against the cruisers Sharnhorst and Gneisenau, in the Dieppe Operation and in the provision of fighter escort for the first of the United States Flying Fortresses missions..in March 1944 appointed to command No 350 sqn,which was the first Belgian Sqn formed in Great Britain.As commander of the Sqn took part notably in the support operations for the landings in Normandy, operations againsty the flying bomb, the arnhem operation and in fighter escort of strategic bombers. November 1944 promoted to Wing Commander and appointed to command the Hawkinge Wing comprising Nos 432,440 (Canadian)450 (Australian)and 611 Squadrons. Total offensive operation undertaken by General Donnet were 375,comprising 615 operational flying hours.He was credited with 4 victories and 5 enemy aircraft damaged. He took part in the destruction of enemy vehicles, locomotives, ships and submaries. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Croix de Guerre.
Detailed incert enclosed. Certified Cover No of 997 Signed by W S O Randle WW11 Wellington Pilot & evader.Details enclosed.

Flurt FRA Norge

Pilot signed

Ritorna Indietro In Italian

Pilot signed

Signed by Air Chief Marshal Sir Ronald Ivelaw-Chapman GCB KBE DFC AFC, WW1 Pilot in RFC with 10 SqnVice President of the RAF Escaping Society has personally signed this cover.

During 1944 Ivelaw-Chapman flew in a Lancaster bomber as an extra crewmember with Flt Lt Max Shearer RNZAF of 576 Squadron. The target was a large German ammunition dump at Aubigne Racan. After bombing the target the bomber was attacked by a night fighter and shot down. Only Ivelaw-Chapman and the Air Bomber, Sgt Joe Ford RAAF, were able to escape by parachute. They were on the run in France for several weeks and were helped by many courageous French civilians. Eventually the Germans captured him in a raid on the farm in which he and Joe Ford were hiding. He never forgot the bravery and courage of the French people who had helped him during his evasion and visited France several times after the war
Numbered and certified on rear.

Devolver A los Piernos

Pilot signed

Escape from Singapore

Signed

Special Signed Ldr C.E.McCormac DCM who escaped from Singapore to Australia. Internee at Pair Penjang, Sqd Ldr Charles E McCormac DCM was one of the leaders of 17 prisoners who in 1942 He was one of only 4 who survived attacks on land and air from Japanese patrols. He has described the extraordinary escape – one of the earliest and longest in the Pacific war - in his book ‘You’ll Die in Singapore’

Flugt Genem Denmark

Pilot signed

Escape from Denmark Signed 10 Danish Resistance
4 5 75 Kobenhavn Lufthaven CDS ( Denmark )Flugt Gennem Danmark.Cover depicts Merchantship , Tug and statue in Copenhagen Harbour, RAFES badge and Resistance logo. About 400 Allied Airman were shot down over Denmark, some 100 evaded and with the help of the Danish people,Special Operations Executive (SOE) Agents & the Danish Resistance, reached safety in Sweden.Flown in Royal Danish Air Force C 54 from RDAF Vaerlose to RAF Northolt.
Personally Signed by the following people who were vital to the operations of the Danish Resistance which rescued so many members of the Royal Air Force from Denmark
Henrik Kraft, co – founder Denmark to Sweden Escape Route
Duus Hansen,Chief organiser Allied Radio Communications ( S.O.E.)
Adam Morch,Commodore Royal Danish Navy
Jens Lillelund,Chief Coordinator Holger Danske Sabotage Group
Fleming B Muus,Chief Organiser S.O.E. Denmark ( 1943 – 45 )
Per Federspiel,Minister of Special Affairs ( 1945 – 1947 )
Sveen Seehusen, President World Veteran Federation ( Danish Section )
Varinka de Wichfeld Muus,Personal Secretary Chief Organiser S.O.E. ( 1943 – 1945 )
Edith Bonnesen Chief Danish Coding Section ( S.O.E.)
& Ejnar Anderson.Commissioner Legal and illegal Danish Police and Coordinator.
Black names cachet ,black flight cachet on reverse and backstamped.Details enclosed. Certified Copy of 1025 Signed B J Randle RAF Museum.

30th Anniv of RAF Escaping Society. Air Chief Marshal Sir Basil .E. EmbryCover depicts Air Chief Marshal Sir Basil E Embry in a Blenheim 4 leading 107 Squadron over Pas de Calais in May 1940, RAFES badge and 12th Region Militaire logo.. In 1940 ACM Sir Basil Embry, then a Wing Commander & OC 107 Squadron, was shot down in a Blenheim near St Omer in France. Sir Basil Embry and his navigator Wg Cdr ( then Plty Off)whiting

Pilot signed

Signed by Gp Capt Randle WW11 Wellington pilot also a evader when his Wellington was shot down. Went down the Comet line.

Escape from New Britain Qantas cachet.

Pilot signed

Escape from New Britain Signed AVM Townsend Escapee
28 3 77 Port Moresby PNG Escape from New Britain . Picture cachet of AVM William Edwin Townsend Plance crash landed. Green Flown Cachet Flown from Sydney to Port Moresby by Air Air Niugini . Personally Signed by Air Vice Marshal W E Townsend. During 1942 & 1943 he commanded firstly No 67 Sqn and then No 22 Squadron operating Boston aircraft from Goodenough Island that he was shot down on an attack on Palmalmal plantation Jacquinot Bay New Britain.The Japanese knew that they had shot down one aircraft and were making haste to get around the bay to capture the crew who had managed to escape in the jungle.With the help of the natives escaped by US GATO submarine. Details enclosed. Certified Copy of 980.

Escape from Crete

Pilot signed

Return to Tunisia

Pilot signed

15 V 78 Escape from Greece flown boeing 737Sqn

Signed 3 pilots

Escape from Hong Kong.

Crew signed.

The Pat O’Leary Line.

ES23 Escape from Libya
10 x 79 Tunisia CDS Postmark Escape from Libya Cover depicts map of Libya, RAF Aircrew walking away from a crashed Wellington Bomber in the Libyian Desert and RAFES badge. The Libyan Government would not permit this cover to be taken to Libya,Consequently it has been processed in Tunisia and conveyed close in the Libyan border. The RAF began operating in 1940 and many aircrew were shot down behind enemy lines and forced to make their way back to allied lines on their own unless they were lucky enough to be picked up by either another aircraft or by Special Air Service Long Range Desert Group led by Col Stirling. Blue flown cachet flown British Caledonian Airways Boeing 707 from Tunis to London Gatwick.

ES23 Escape from Libya Signed Flower DFC Evader
10 x 79 Tunisia CDS Postmark Escape from Libya Cover depicts map of Libya, RAF Aircrew walking away from a crashed Wellington Bomber in the Libyian Desert and RAFES badge. The Libyan Government would not permit this cover to be taken to Libya, Consequently it has been processed in Tunisia and conveyed close in the Libyan border. The RAF began operating in 1940 and many aircrew were shot down behind enemy lines and forced to make their way back to allied lines on their own unless they were lucky enough to be picked up by either another aircraft or by Special Air Service Long Range Desert Group led by Col Stirling. Flown cachet flown British Caledonian Airways Boeing 707 from Tunis to London Personally Signed by the Pilots Captain J Arnott & Captain D Bridges British Caledonian Airways Boeing 707 Captain J Arnott served in the RAF from 1942 - 46. His operational flying began with the Trans - Atlantic Ferry Command followed by a tour with No 216 Squadron flying Dakotas as a Flying Officer in Middle East Command,
Captain D Bridges joined the RAF in 1941. He flew Lancasters with 166 SQn until 1944 when he was shot down over Friederichshafen. He was captured and spent the rest of the war in Stalag 111.
also Signed by Flt Eng L N Flower DFC served from 1940 - 1948. As a flying officer with 161 Sqn on S.O.E. operations he was shot down in a Stirling which crash landed in Denmark near Vem. His pilot was the famous motor racing driver Sqn Ldr George Abacssis. Found by the Danish Resistance served for 5 weeks. He then escaped to Sweden and returned to Scotland two weeks later. Details enclosed.

ES23c Escape from Libya Signed Air Marshal Hughes Evader
10 x 79 Tunisia CDS Postmark Escape from Libya Cover depicts map of Libya, RAF Aircrew walking away from a crashed Wellington Bomber in the Libyian Desert and RAFES badge. The Libyan Government would not permit this cover to be taken to Libya,Consequently it has been processed in Tunisia and conveyed close in the Libyan border. The RAF began operating in 1940 and many aircrew were shot down behind enemy lines and forced to make their way back to allied lines on their own unless they were lucky enough to be picked up by either another aircraft or by Special Air Service Long Range Desert Group led by Col Stirling. Flown cachet flown British Caledonian Airways Boeing 707 from Tunis to London Gatwick. Also on the reverse black flown cachet flown from London to Auckland NZ by BA Boeing 747 GB - DXC Flight BA 283 to Los Angeles flt time 11hrs 5 min Pilot Capt A Hamer , Les Angeles to Auckland by Air NZ DC 10 ZK - NZQ Flight 05 .LA to Honolulu Flt time 5 hrs 17 min Pilot Capt G M White. Honolulu to Nandi Flt time 6 hrs 1 min, Nandi to Auckland flt time 2 hrs 43 mins Pilot Capt A C Taylour. Personally Signed two of the Pilots Captain G M White & Captain A C Taylor. ( Signed on the Reverse.) Also Signed by Air Marshal Sir Rochford Hughes KCB, CBE, AFC.
He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force, but due to the small size of the RNZAF at the time, he was transferred, like many others, to the RAF. Arriving in Britain in 1938 he was commissioned and joined No 103 Squadron at Usworth, County Durham flying Hawker Hinds. The squadron soon re-equipped with the new Fairey Battle.
In December 1941, he collected a crew from No 40 Squadron, who had crash landed a week earlier from Tobruk to fly them back to Malta. However, the Sunderland was soon attacked by two Bf110's which inflicted severe damage. One the Wellington's crew was killed and the Wellington's gunner replaced one of the Sunderland's gunners who was wounded. With both starboard engines out, Flight Lieutenant Hughes had no option, but to alight near Benghazi. Blown onto the shore, they met Italian troops retreating, and joined them, but after two days, they decided to march the other way in the hope of meeting allied troops advancing towards them. During their march east, they met a number of Italians who wished to surrender and by the time they met up with troops of the 4th Indian Division, they had 130 Italian prisoners in tow, whom they were pleased to hand over.
He stayed in the Far East following his retirement from the RAF acting as Air Adviser to the Government of Singapore a post he held for three years. Returning to New Zealand, he sat on the Boards of a number of companies
Citation for the award of the OBE
Squadron Leader Sidney Weetman Rochford Hughes (40784).
One night in December, 1941, this officer was flying a Sunderland aircraft in the Mediterranean area, when it was attacked by 2 enemy fighters. One of the attackers was probably destroyed but Squadron Leader Hughes' aircraft sustained damage to the aileron control, and two engines were put out of action. The aircraft lost height rapidly but, with great skill, this officer succeeded in turning it into the wind and finally, descended safely on the water. Heavy seas were running but, although one wing tip float was smashed, he managed to steer the aircraft on to a nearby reef in such a way that the crew were able to escape from the aircraft into much calmer water. Observing one of his comrades, who had been swept from the main plane into the sea, in an exhausted condition and in difficulties, Squadron Leader Hughes immediately dived into the water and brought his comrade to safety after swimming some 30-yards through the heavy seas. His action undoubtedly saved the life of his comrade. Throughout, this officer displayed exceptional courage and leadership. Details & Black & White photo of crashed aircraft. Certified Copy No 225 of 998 signed

ES23 Escape from Libya
10 x 79 Tunisia CDS Postmark Escape from Libya Cover depicts map of Libya, RAF Aircrew walking away from a crashed Wellington Bomber in the Libyian Desert and RAFES badge. The Libyan Government would not permit this cover to be taken to Libya,Consequently it has been processed in Tunisia and conveyed close in the Libyan border. The RAF began operating in 1940 and many aircrew were shot down behind enemy lines and forced to make their way back to allied lines on their own unless they were lucky enough to be picked up by either another aircraft or by Special Air Service Long Range Desert Group led by Col Stirling. Blue flown cachet flown British Caledonian Airways Boeing 707 from Tunis to London Gatwick. Personally Signed A.J.Williams.C.M.G. & J.H.Lambert Her Majesty's Ambassador to Libya & Tunisia RAF Ref no EES23e Certified Copy No of 250 Signed Project Officer.

Escape from Yugoslavia

Escape from Yugoslavia Signed
10 11 78 Belgrad Escape from Yugoslavia Blue Flown cachet flown in British Airways Flight BA704 Trident 2 by Captain B Willby. Personally Signed by Yugoslavian aviator Colonel General Lazarevik, Peoples Hero of Yugoslavia , WW2 Commander of 1st Group of Yugoslavia Air Force units. In april 1941 as a Captain took part in attacks on German airfields, communications and troop concentrations. Later he became the first commander of the group of Air Force divisions which played a distinguished part in the final operations leading to the liberation of the country, and Capt Willy the Trident Pilot. Details enclosed.

Special Signed by 3 escapers & Colonel General Viadimir Scekic ( 400 issued )

Escape in Heinkel

Pilot signed

Special Signed.General Baron J.A.Bentinck. Who made the Escape.

29 3 80 Brussel The Secret Army

25 1V 80 Groningen The Dutch Paris LinePilot signed

29 5 1981 Allier Marquis D’Auverge

Wooden Horse.

Wooden Horse. Special Signed by Oliver Philpot and Eric Williams who both escaped by tunnelling out of Stalag - Luft 111 under cover of a home made box vaulting horse.Eric Williams is the author of The Wooden Horse, Details enclosed,with black and white photo of ‘ wooden horse escaperd’ M.Codner,Oliver Philpott & Eric Williams.The photograph was taken shortly after they arrived in Sweden having successfully escaped from Stalag Luft 111.Certified copy and signed.

Personally Signed by Oliver Philpot and Eric Williams who both escaped by tunnelling out of Stalag - Luft 111 under cover of a home made box vaulting horse.Eric Williams is the author of The Wooden Horse, and signed by Stalag Luft 111 inmate Kenneth William MacKenzie Battle of Britain Fighter Pilot WW11 Ace. MacKenzie was hit by heavy flak from the ground defences and ditched in the sea. He took to his dinghy, paddled to the shore and was captured. He was in various camps before finishing up at Stalag Luft 11, Sagan.And helped with the Wooden Horse. Details enclosed,with black and white photo of ' wooden horse escaperd' M.Codner,Oliver Philpott & Eric Williams.The photograph was taken shortly after they arrived in Sweden having successfully escaped from Stalag Luft 111.Certified copy and signed.

Rotour aux Pyrenees (2nd)

Signed by Gp Capt Randle WW11 Wellington pilot also a evader when his Wellington was shot down. Went down the Comet line.

19 Sp 82 Port Stanley Falkland Islands.Return from the Falkland islands Flown on combat patrol

19 Sp 82 Port Stanley Falkland Islands.Return from the Falkland islands Flown on combat patrol Return from the Falkland islands Sighed Flt Lt M.W.J.Hare Harrier pilot.Flown on combat patrol.

Escape from Arnhem Signed General Sir J.Hackett plus 3
17.IX.84 Arnhem 35 Postmark on Netherlands 60c Stamp. 40th Anniversary of Battle of Arnhem.Escape from Arnhem. Cover depicts Airborne forces landing by parchute & gliders at Arnhem,Royal Star and Garter badge and Medal.On 17 Sep 1944 the Battle of Arnhem began.5000 Allied Aircraft took part in the landings in which the British 1st Airborne Division ( which included Polish Units) of 10095 landed 7605 were lost. The Dutch Arnhem Resistance Group performed miracles to keep escape routes open after the surrender and helped some 250 evaders to safety. One of those was Brigadier ( now General Sir John ) Hackett. Flt Lt David Lord, a Dakota pilot of 217 Squadron was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Blue flown cachet on the reverse Cover, flown in RNAF Fokker F27 Troopship NAF34 from RNAF Soesterberg over the Arnhem battle area during the 40th Anniversary ceremony.
Personally Signed by General Sir John Hackett G.C.B.,CBE.,D.S.O.,M.C. when he took part in the disastrous parachute landing on Arnhem in Holland, where the Germans were waiting. On the day before the survivors of the 1st Airborne Division were pulled out of Arnhem, Hackett was severely injured internally by a shell splinter. He was taken to a German military hospital and operated on by a captured Allied surgeon, but was regarded as a hopeless case and marked down for kindly hypodermic euthanasia.On the first day he sat up to eat, a member of the Resistance told him that unless he could walk out in the next 15 minutes, he might not be able to get out at all. He escaped with his head in blood-soaked bandages to suggest a civilian air-raid casualty, and was hidden by a Dutch family at risk to their lives.Later, he escaped by bicycle to freedom, his skill at languages enabling him to pass challenges from guards en route and 3 resistance members who helped the Brigadier.Dr.Elsa Caspers Resistance member of cell whose task was to sabotage and work for an intelligence service. After the War had to go back to school for another year, Koos Meyer joined the Albrecht Group made trips for liberated South Netherlands to the occupied North made 29 trips the group made 374. and Hen Idenburg member of the Resistance Brigadier Hackett stayed at Idenburg family safe house .Enclosed detailed inserts cards. Certified copy No of 1171 signed Project officer.

Special Signed by Mr.Peelen who guided back over 200 British airborne troops cut off after the operation at Arnhem & Flt.Lt.H.King navigator for FIt.Lt.Lord on Arnhem raid.

25 - 26 Aout 1984 40th Liberation of Paris. Flown in Pembroke

3 9 84 Bruxelles Liberation of Brussels. flown cachet Flown in Dakota of RAE Farnborough on a ferry flight from Farnborough to Bedford & back . Picture cachet on 3rd September 1944 British armour entered Brussels to complete its liberation, freeing scores of allied aircrew held in safe houses in the city.Within hours these evaders were repatriated to England from Melsbrouk airfield by the Royal air Force.

3 9 84 Bruxelles Liberation of Brussels. flown cachet Flown in Dakota of RAE Farnborough on a ferry flight from Farnborough to Bedford & back . Picture cachet on 3rd September 1944 British armour entered Brussels to complete its liberation, freeing scores of allied aircrew held in safe houses in the city.Within hours these evaders were repatriated to England from Melsbrouk airfield by the Royal air Force.
Pilot signed.

Liberation of Brussels Signed d'Ouetremont WW11 guide Comet Line .
3 9 84 Bruxelles Liberation of Brussels. Brown flown cachet Flown in Dakota of RAE Farnborough on a ferry flight from Farnborough to Bedford & back . Picture cachet on 3rd September 1944 British armour entered Brussels to complete its liberation, freeing scores of allied aircrew held in safe houses in the city.Within hours these evaders were repatriated to England from Melsbrouk airfield by the Royal air Force. Personally Signed Georges d’ Ouetremont His Military career began with National Service in the 2nd Chasseur a Cheval ( motorised ) regiment of the Belgian Army.He took part in the Blitzkrieg campaign of the 10th to the 28th May 1940 when his country was forced to surrender to the Germans At the beginningof 1942 he joined the escape line founded by Countess Andre de Jongh ( Dede ) which later become the omete line. On many occasions he acted as guide to Allied evaders on the escape route section between Brussels and Paris. Unfortunately he became suspected and was forced to join the escape route himself and after travelling its length crossed the pyrenees in December 1942 into Spain and flowmn from Gibraltar to England. His first action was to rejoin the Belgian Army where he undertook training for parachutinginto France. Then in October 1943 he was flown to France to assist in the return of Allied evaders by Lysander . Once again he was tracked by the Gestapo and in February 1944 had to return to England. He was however able to land at Normandy at D Day June 1944 where he was involved in several not particularly successful operations. .Later returned to England trained joined Belgian SAS Regiment. Details enclosed Certified Copy No 0175 of 1000

11 04 85 Liberation Buchenwald Pilot Signed

11 Nov 85 BFPS 1918 The Shelburne line

The Shelburne line Pilot Signed

ES37c Special Signed by Lt Cdr D.Birkin Helped evacuating escapers also took stores & people mostly agents & Resistance workers escapers.Details & 2 photos enclosed.

8 May 85 BFPS 1945 40th Anniv of VE Day. Caterpillar Club Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Formation of the RAF Escaping Society.Cover flown in Hercules Signed 5 RAF Falcons Parachutists

Operation Marathon /Shewood
9 10 1989 Freteval Loir et Cher CDS Postmark on French Stamp. Operation Marathon / Sherwood . OPERATION MARATHON (CODE NAME 'SHERWOOD') AT FRETEVAL (May - August 1944)
From 1940 until 1944 major escape line routes were centred on main collecting areas: the Biesboch area of Holland, Brussels, Paris, Bayonne, Marseilles and Toulouse. Travel was usually by train or cycle, with evaders moved from safe house to safe house by girl couriers.
The prelude to Operation Overlord (the D-Day invasion) brought many problems to the escape lines. By April 1944, the massive attacks by heavy bombers and fighter aircraft on the enemy lines of communication across France had effectively put a stop to evaders travelling by rail to the Pyrenees. The last aircrew evader did so on 23rd April 1944.
However, the collection and hiding of airmen continued at a considerable rate. Safe houses that were being emptied regularly when the routes were in operation, now became clogged. Many new people came forward to run safe houses, with added security risks. Something had to be done. Operation Marathon was the answer. A plan worked out by Lt Col. Airey Neave (who had escaped from Colditz and returned via Pat Line and who was now working for MI9) was put into action. The plan was to assemble evaders in densely wooded areas which were out of the way of the enemy and also out of the way of the expected Allied advance. There were to be three locations: one situated near Rennes in Brittany; one in the Freteval forest near Cloyes; and a third in the Ardennes. The largest and most successful of these was Freteval, code named 'Sherwood', which was situated in the forest near the small village of Villeboute west of Cloyes.
MI9 in London chose Comète, in conjunction with the resistance leader of the Libe Nord, Omer Jubalt, to organise Sherwood. Baron Jean de Blomaert from Comète, (known to the Germans as 'the Fox') planned the operation. Squadron Leader Lucien Boussa, a Belgian serving in the RAF, was chosen to organise the camp locally - a very difficult task. Omer Jubalt undertook to manage all resistance operations in the Freteval area. Aircrew moved into the camp at the beginning of June.
It is difficult to imagine life in France under occupation. Everything was rationed to insufficient quantities. All elements of daily life became insurmountable problems. Farming produce was taken by the Germans. There was no fuel and clothing was scarce. Young men were taken to Germany for forced labour. In this situation, imagine a total stranger, who could not speak French, arriving at Châteaudun station, being collected by couriers like Daniel Cogneau, taken to a very dense forest at night and then being given a meal. Local people in the area made Sherwood work. Despite meagre rations and very little equipment they worked with the organisers. They posted sentries out around the camp until the evaders took over. Farmers brought in live animals, eggs, vegetables and butter. Night fishing parties were organised in the Loirs by local people, despite curfews. Flour was brought to the camp daily by Micheline Fouchard on her horse and cart, despite strafing by Allied aircraft.
To avoid smoke, charcoal was used to cook on. Cooks became chefs. Shelters were made from branches and leaves and mattresses from dry grass. Chairs and tables were made from branches and tents were camouflaged with branches. A routine was established in the camp over a 24-hour period. Jobs were rostered, from starting fires in the mornings to collecting water in the late evening. Even Albert Barillet, the barber from Cloyes, arrived once a week.
Many evaders arrived wounded or sick. Mme Despres, from the village of Villeboute who was in her eighties and who spoke perfect English, turned her house into a hospital. At any one time she had at least five patients. Doctor Teyssier from Cloyes, together with his son, provided medical cover for the camp. Transporting sick patients from the camp to Villeboute was carried out by a 16-year old girl, Ginette Jubault, accompanied by her brother Jean. Many incidents took place and many local people lost their lives or were tortured and sent to concentration camps. On one occasion a Comète courier called Virginia was compromised at a road block. Arrested, then tortured, she was sent to Ravensbruck concentration camp where she almost died of hunger. She revealed nothing. After the incident, Daniel Cogneau laboriously searched the area for Virginia's five evaders who had fled in five directions. They were all found. Later Maxime Plateau was arrested while taking food to the camp. Arrested, tortured, he revealed nothing and was sent to a concentration camp. Many more local people were arrested and never returned.
Lt Col. Airey Neave reached the camp on 13th August 1944, and the airmen took a last look around their temporary home. Resistance members and local people came to see the men leave and to say their adieux. One hundred and fifty-two aircrew had been hidden from May till August 1944. The fact that couriers led 152 evaders (some wounded) into the forest of Freteval, hid them, treated their wounds, nourished them and guarded them, and the fact that no evaders were captured, was a credit to the local people and to the resistance. Thirty-eight of the men from the camp later lost their lives while on flying operations over Germany.
On 11th June 1967, a ceremony took place to inaugurate a monument to commemorate the extraordinary adventure of the Forest of Freteval. The monument is situated on the edge of the forest near the village of Villeboute.
Carried cachet on the back. Carried from HQ Royal Air Force Escaping Society London to the Forest of Freteval, Loir - et - Cher, France where members of the Resistance of Loir - et - Cher and of Eure - et - Loir sheltered more than 150 British, Canadian, South African , New Zealand and Belgian aircrew during May to August 12th 1944 when their camps were liberated by the rapidly advancing United States Army. Postal Courier Mr Gordon Hand. Flight Sergeant 432 Squadron Freteval Forest June to August 1944.

Operation Marathon /Shewood
9 10 1989 Freteval Loir et Cher CDS Postmark on French Stamp. Operation Marathon / Sherwood
Personally Signed by Sergeant Charles Weir Air Gunner No 218 Squadron Evader in Freteval Forest May to August 1944, Flight Sergeant Gordon Hand. 432 Squadron Freteval Forest June to August 1944, and Sergeant Denis Pepall Air Gunner No 218 Squadron Evader in Freteval Forest May to August 1944.Details & Black and white photo of all three evaders. Certified Copy No of 1250. Signed.

Signed by Gp Capt Randle WW11 Wellington pilot also a evader when his Wellington was shot down. Went down the Comet line.

as above but union nationale cachet on the front.Special Signed by ACM Sir Lewis Hodges President of the RAF Escaping Society. commissioned into the RAF in 1938 and joined Bomber Command.

On September 4, 1940, he was flying a Hampden bomber of No 49 Squadron home from an attack on Stettin when his aircraft was damaged by ground fire. Realising that he could not nurse it home, he ordered his crew to bale out and crash-landed the Hampden in northern Brittany. He and an air-gunner who had not heard the bale-out order set off on foot in a southeastern direction, keeping away from farms and eating what they could scavenge in the fields.

Having walked for a week and been given some civilian clothes by a friendly farmer, they crossed the Loire east of Nantes with the help of a fisherman and continued on to Parthenay. There a chateau owner provided more clothes, shoes to replace their flying boots and money for a bus to Limoges and a train to the Pyrenees, but before they could cross into Spain the Vichy police arrested and imprisoned them.

Hodges eventually escaped and crossed the Pyrenees only to be arrested again and confined in a Spanish prison. After some diplomatic negotiations, he reached Gibraltar and returned to his squadron in June 1941.

In May 1942, while commanding a flight in No 49 Squadron, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for operations that had included an attack on the German battle-cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau during their dash up the Channel in February 1942. That winter he took over command of the Whitley and Halifax flight of No 161 Special Duties Squadron, flying sorties into occupied Europe in support of SOE. He commanded this squadron from May 1943 and wrote an account of its clandestine operations for Royal Air Force at War, published for the RAF Benevolent Fund by Ian Allan in 1983.

While in command of this squadron he trained himself for picking up SOE agents in occupied Europe. His first Hudson landing in France was in July 1943 on a short flare path of torches north of Angers. Hodges landed Hudsons successfully by moonlight on French meadows five more times. He brought to England two future presidents of France: Vincent Auriol and François Mitterrand.

Such pick-ups were but a few of the many operations that he flew, mainly parachuting agents into occupied Europe. In recognition of his exceptional skill and courage as a pilot and his leadership of an elite squadron, he was awarded a Bar to his DFC in 1943 and a DSO in 1944. He was made Commandeur, Légion d’Honneur in 1950, and advanced to Grand Officier in 1988.

In December 1944, after a rest from operational flying of only nine months, he volunteered for another flying tour and was given command of No 357 Special Duties Squadron at RAF Jessore near Calcutta. This was equipped with Liberators for long-range parachute operations, Dakotas for medium-range sorties, including pick-ups, and a flight of Lysanders for pick-ups in Japaneseoccupied Burma.

One of his flight commanders wrote about their new CO: “Things changed quickly on his arrival. He was impatient with the mystique created locally about our task and with the fusty set-up of Jessore, and he quickly swept away the dramatic trappings of spydom. I found his approach exhilarating, his experience reassuring, and his company relaxing and enjoyable.”

In spite of bad weather, high mountains and poor maps, and bad health on the ground, Hodges developed his squadron into an efficient unit, flying many of the more difficult sorties himself. The last he flew from Jessore was the first Dakota pick-up in Japaneseoccupied Thailand. He map-read from the Mekong river to fetch Flight Lieutenant Nicky Varanand, a Siamese prince serving with the RAF, who had been checking possible landing strips. He then went with his Liberators to China Bay in Ceylon, until posted to the Staff College at Haifa in Palestine as an instructor. His achievements with No 357 were recognised by a Bar to his DSO.

On the formation of the Joint Services Staff College at Latimer in 1947, Hodges was one of the first members of the directing staff. This led to the joint planning staff in Whitehall before he returned to flying in 1952. Commanding the RAF team in the London to New Zealand Air Race in 1953, he established a record as far as Ceylon in his Canberra before being overtaken.

He helped to pioneer the V-bomber force, advised on development of the Vickers Valiant and commanded the V-bomber operational conversion unit at RAF Gaydon. While in command of the V-bomber station at RAF Marham, he received the Soviet leaders Nikolai Bulganin and Nikita Khrushchev on their visit to Britain. He was appointed CBE in 1958.

In 1968 he was appointed AOC-in-C Air Support Command and in 1970 Air Member for Personnel. From 1973 to 1976 he was Deputy Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces Central Europe. In this important post his friendly but determined manner made a great contribution to the knitting together of all the Nato nations within the command.

In retirement from the RAF after 1976 he was president of the RAF Escaping Society, 1979-2000. It still recognises with gratitude the heroism of many ordinary French people who helped RAF men on their way to safety.

He was a director of Pilkington Bros (optical division), 1979-83. He was also chairman of the governors of the Duke of Kent School; chairman of the RAF Benevolent Fund’s education committee; president of the Royal Air Force Association; and president of the Special Forces Club and the RAF Club.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Lewis Hodges, KCB, CBE, DSO and Bar, DFC and Bar, wartime SOE pilot and Deputy C-in-C Allied Forces Central Europe 1973-76, was born on March 1, 1918. He died on January 4, 2007, aged 88

Special signed Commandant Avl Hre H Branders President National UNEG, Lt Colonel G Weber Aide de Camp Hre Roi Leopold & Lt Colonel Jean & Bloch President d'Honneur UNEG. RAF Aldergrove B./S.