R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed Coffin Corner Boys: One Bomber, Ten Men, and Their Harrowing Escape from Nazi-Occupied France on + 1450 more book reviews
This is a fascinatingly told tale about a group of airmen whose plane was downed in German occupied France during WWII. The key story teller is the pilot, George Starks. His trip across France to Switzerland is fraught with danger and near capture events. Alone, he walks, rides a wobbling old bike, and is transported by Frenchmen to reach safety. But this is not just his story. It's the story of ten men, all of whom were on that fated plane.
Some where captured immediately while others almost made it out of France before encountering German soldiers. These men found themselves in German POW camps, sometimes transported again and again to other sites. And, as the war continued camp conditions worsened with little food, deplorable living conditions, lice and disease yet somehow all survived.
Others, including Starks, encountered many caring individuals who helped travel across the country. Those who reached safety were helped by French men and women who hated the Germans and risked their lives and the lives of their families. Some of the incidents were downright daring, especially the one where a doctor hides the airman in the back of his car below a blanket and his medical supplies, driving brazenly through four German checkpoints. He saved numerous soldiers because it was the right thing to do. But, for Starks this was not the end of the story. Time and again he traveled to France to thank and meet those who had helped him. He never forgot the braved souls who risked everything for him. Wonderful story!
Some where captured immediately while others almost made it out of France before encountering German soldiers. These men found themselves in German POW camps, sometimes transported again and again to other sites. And, as the war continued camp conditions worsened with little food, deplorable living conditions, lice and disease yet somehow all survived.
Others, including Starks, encountered many caring individuals who helped travel across the country. Those who reached safety were helped by French men and women who hated the Germans and risked their lives and the lives of their families. Some of the incidents were downright daring, especially the one where a doctor hides the airman in the back of his car below a blanket and his medical supplies, driving brazenly through four German checkpoints. He saved numerous soldiers because it was the right thing to do. But, for Starks this was not the end of the story. Time and again he traveled to France to thank and meet those who had helped him. He never forgot the braved souls who risked everything for him. Wonderful story!
