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"I took off in a Lancaster aircraft from Skelling-Thorpe
on 7 august 44 at 22.00 hrs. I bailed out at midnight over the coast near LE
HAVRE (NW Europe 1:250,000, Sheet 4, L42) and after hiding my flying
equipment, I took bearings and started walking south.
A short while later, I reached a wood and began to scramble through the
undergrowth. I came to some huts and I was tiptoeing quietly by when I heard
voices and a couple of shots. I then ran as fast as I was able, falling down
a steep slope in my haste. I continued walking after that until I reached
the outskirts of LILLEBONNE (L82) when I hid in some bushes for the whole of
the day.
That night, I was discovered by a French child, who went and fetched his
father. I was taken to this man’s house and stayed with him for two nights,
while he contacted the Maquis. On 9 Jun* a member of the Maquis called and
took me in a boat across the river SEINE to his house where I stayed for two
days. After that I was moved to a small farm near BOURNEVILLE (L81) where I
remained for a fortnight and during that time I did a certain amount of
sabotage with the Maquis.
About 25 Aug I went to TROUVILLE LA HAULE (L81) and remained here until I
made contact with British troops on 28 Aug. For the next four days, I helped
members of the Resistance movement round up Germans, and then I reported
back to Brigade H.Q. at BONNEVILLE"
* Probably 9 August |
