SYNOPSIS

[Note: this report was OCRed from the original and then edited]

UKNA:SPG/LIB/1662

Members of the crew

1. EVASION AND CAPTURE

I was a bomb-aimer in a Stirling. We took off from MILDENHALL at approx. 1630 hrs. 18 Nov 43. The target was MANNHEIM. On the way we were attacked by fighters over France. The aircraft was set on fire and beyond control so we received the order to bale out. I landed in the woods between VERDUN and VARENNES (France). I was caught up in a tree, but having managed to free myself, I set off walking and the following morning I met two French forest workers. They took me to a small cottage in the woods. Later I was hidden in the woods during a Geman search. The same night I was taken to a doctor's house, in I think, VARENNES, where I received treatment for my head and leg.

I was then taken to a small house in VARENNES by the doctor's son and friends and I stayed there either 2 or 3 nights. I was taken from there in a car by two other men to a small farm about 3-4- hours away (I do not know the location), I stayed there about 3 nights. From there I was taken to the village of SOMME-PY (N.W.Europe Sheet 9 Ref T.67) where I stayed 4 nights and was then moved to SILLERY (France) where I stayed about 11 days.

On the first night I was taken to a large house in this village where I was seen by a man who asked me whether I wished to send any messages home. I sent one; also a message about a crew member who had been killed. Neither message was received. I was under the impression that this man was fairly high up in an organisation.

On the 12th day, I was taken in a van by a girl (about 25 years) name ? ROMAINE to REIMS where I stayed for 14 days with a butcher. There were also 3 U.S.A.A.F. personnel staying in the same house. We were confined to our rooms the whole time. We were visited by a man (said to be a French-Canadian and a Commando) known as the "Chief". This man, who was in charge of paying out for British and American personnel being sheltered, failed to pay my host during the time I was there. At the end of 14 days, I was moved again by ROMAINE to FISMES where I stayed in the Rue-de-la-Gare for approx 16 days. Whilst here, we were told of the possibilities of a Lysander landing somewhere near which would pick us up. We had to wait for a code message which was said to come over the radio.

We were still waiting for the message when, at about 0900 hrs on 31 Dec 1943, the Gestapo arrested me. I was taken to REIMS prison where I spent 5 months. The prison was successfully bombed by the U.S.A.A.F. and we were then moved to CHALLONS and finally to Fresnes.

2. CAMPS IN WHICH IMPRISONED

3. ATTEMPTED ESCAPES

Nil.

4. LIBERATION

I was liberated by the Russians in May 45

The following information was obtained from BRITISH personnel who have been repatriated.

If further circulation of this information is made, it is important that its source should not be divulged.

NAME etc: 1533559 W/O HARPER Robert.
622 Sqn., Bomber Command, R.A.F.
DATE OF INTERVIEW: 15 Nov 45.

Signed by E.G.Hughes F/Off

for Major, I.O.

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