A friend who lived close to us some years ago had many interesting, sad and funny stories to tell. He flew a spitfire during the war (aged 19 years) and was eventually shot down over Holland and reported 'missing in action'. He woke up lying in a field smothered by his parachute and wondering if he were dead or not. Rain stinging his face made him realize he was very much alive and in great danger of being found by the wrong people!
Thankfully he was found by the right people - 2 Dutch men, who quickly buried his parachute and took him to a 'safe house' where he found the cellar decked out for unexpected visitors such as he.
Day by day he was moved by guides from 'safe house' to 'safe house' making his way across Holland, Belgium, France until 3 months later he found himself in the foothills of the Pyrenees and along with a mountain guide he began the long walk into neutral Spain and eventually rejoined his old Squadron at Biggin Hill and continued flying until the war ended. He never lost his love and gratitude for all the people who had helped him and kept in touch with many of them until his death as a very old man.
One day he had a call from a TV company in the Netherlands who said they were doing a programme about the people who fought their own war with the Germans by finding 'lost' allies and helping them to get home. Would he like to tell his story? He sure would.
The TV company asked if he could name some hotels close to his home wher they could base their staff but he decided to ask the church
congregation the next day for help and to his astonishment he had more than 30 offers of accomodation.
He was delighted to call back and say 'Bring as many people as you wish, I have 'safe houses' lined up here for them'.
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