Wellington P9232 9 Squadron 5/6th June 1940 Shot down by Flak soon after crossing the Dutch coast, on mission to Duisburg. Crashed near Simonshaven (Zuid Holland) in the commune of Geervliet, 16 km SW of Rotterdam Holland, S/L G E Peacock DFC KIA P/O B A James PoW Sgt R C Hargrave DFM KIA Sgt A K Griffiths PoW P/O S W Webster PoW LAC C Murton PoW
Gazette Website: PDF Navigator Military Cross. Flight Lieutenant Bertram Arthur JAMES (42232), Royal Air Force, No. 9 Squadron. On the night of 5th June, 1940, Flight Lieutenant James was the 2nd pilot of a Wellington aircraft which was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire and had to be abandoned whilst over Holland. He made a successful parachute descent some 25 miles south of Rotterdam, disposed of his equipment, and evaded some people who were approaching, but subsequently was captured by the Germans. He was held at Qberussel for four days for interrogation. Later he was °sent to Stalag Luft I at Earth from which camp he made an attempt to escape during an air raid on 21st October, 1941. His attempt, which was made after a tunnel had been constructed, was unsuccessful and as a punishment he received 14 days solitary confinement. In November, 1941, he was discovered whilst engaged in the construction of a second tunnel, and was sentenced to another 14 days solitary confinement. While at Stalag Luft I, he worked on the construction of at deast five other tunnels, all without success. His next attempt was made whilst at Stalag Luft III (Sagan) in July, 1942, when he, with another prisoner, managed to slip away from a sick parade and hide in a cow shed. Here they began to construct nother tunnel, but were discovered when it was 21 feet long. For this, Flight Lieutenant James served a sentence of 14 days in the cells. In April, 1943, he, with others, commenced the construction of a tunnel which resulted in .the escape of 76 officers, but unfortunately 50 R.A.F. officers were shot by the Germans whilst endeavouring to get away. Flight Lieutenant James, however, managed to leave with civilian clothes and forged documents and, together with eleven others, entrained for Boberohrsdorf, arriving there the next morning. Here the party decided to split up into pairs. Flight Lieutenant James and his companion walked across country towards Hirschberg, but were apprehended 'by German Police. Flight Lieutenant James was eventually sent to Saohsenhausen Concentration Camp where, with others, in May 1944, he commenced the construction of a tunnel some hundred 'feet in length, and 10 feet below the surface. On 23rd September, 1944, he and four others escaped tihrough this tunnel. Flight Lieutenant James and a companion made their way towards Rostock, but were arrested by members of the German Home Guard who.returned them to the Concentration Camp where they were put in cells. Flight Lieutenant James remained in the cells from 6th October, 1944, until fifth February, 1945. He was ultimately liberated by the Allied forces on the 6th May, 1945.
Amazon.co.uk: Moonless Night: The Second World War Escape Epic (Pen & Sword Military Classics): Books: B.A. James Amazon.co.uk: We Flew, We Fell, We Lived: The Remarkable Reminiscences of Second World War Evaders and Prisoners of War: Books: Jimmy James,Philip LaGrandeur
I came across this picture looking for something else ... thought it maybe of interest ! A signed photo of Squadron Leader B. A. “Jimmy†James, MC, survivor of the Great Escape from Stalag Luft III on My_Little_Bit_of_History
Weeelll some of us get rather excited by these things eep: http://ww2chat.com/forums/your-collectibles/513-my-signed-books.html :becky:
