Author(s): Matthew Wright

NZ Military History | Secondhand

'As the vehicle gathered speed, I slung over the tailboard and ran . . . I saw the look of horror on the face of the guard. His frantic cries of "Halt! Halt!" rang in my ears as I lumbered down the street. Clear by a few hundred metres, I turned to wave a triumphant farewell.' - Peter Winter

'. . whatever the immediate future held, at this moment I was alive and free. I have never been able to recapture in retrospect the fullness of that moment.' - James Hargest

'We had three fairly distinct approaches: tunnelling - slow, laborious, but relatively safe; finess, requiring disguise, acting ability, and a quick wit; and surprise, often needing good judgement, physical fitness, and a willingness to take a risk.' - Allan Yeoman

During the Second World War many New Zealanders fell into enemy hands. Most were soldiers fighting in North Africa and Europe. This collection, edited by Matthew Wright, recounts our escapers' tales in their own words. We join R.H. Thomson in his daring leaps from railway wagons, hike with Fred Stuckey through the Yugoslav back country, tramp with George Clifton across the North African desert, learn what kind of welcome awaited the successful escapers in Madrid. And we discover what kept hope alive in the railway project from hell - the line Japan forced its prisoners to build between Thailand and Burma. First published August 2006.

G.  Some wear to cover.