About the Author

Keith Janes has been researching World War Two escape and evasion since 1999, shortly after discovering the story of his late father’s experience as an escaped POW. He has visited France on numerous occasions, meeting helpers and their families, and followed some of the many routes us­ed by evaders to cross the Pyrenees to Andorra and Spain.

Reviews

'Even though over 70 years have passed since the end of the Second World War, there are still many dark corners within it, where our knowledge of little-known events is small. Keith Janes, in this book, has, however, managed to throw a veritable searchlight on the vitally important work that was carried out in Occupied France by the men and women of the Bourgogne escape and evasion line who, at great risk to themselves, managed to pass so many RAF and USAAF downed airmen to safety.
This book is a magnificent tribute to all those who were involved with Bourgogne, both the helpers and those whom they were helping to escape the Nazi tyranny. A meticulously researched account, it is a must for anyone with an interest in the Second World War.'
*Oliver Clutton-Brock*

'Keith Janes is to be congratulated for producing such a comprehensive picture of one of the lesser known – but most effective – réseaux of the war. His encyclopaedic knowledge of escape lines in France, arising from an earlier study of his father’s experiences following Dunkirk, make him expertly placed to write this book. His diligent turning over of stones has shed important new light on the secret – and immensely dangerous – business of returning escapers and evaders to Britain during the darkest days of the Nazi occupation of Europe.'
*author and lecturer*

'Keith Janes’ great talent as a historian is his determination to drill down to the truth – which often turns out to be infinitely more interesting and surprising than any work of fiction could be. The result is a book rich in incident and excitement. He has performed the great service of rescuing a World War Two story that was in danger of disappearing over the edge of history, and his book gives us a new set of heroes and heroines to admire from that extraordinary period.'
*journalist and author.*