Boldness Be My Friend

I own four books by this author, first buying a couple of his travel books then this POW escapee book and the follow up one. This is the first I have read, because generally I like to read in the published order where possible.

First impressions of this book are that Pape is superhuman. Super intelligent, physically incredible and able to withstand the torture of the gestapo. There is no self depreciating writing going on here. But once you adjust to Pape being the ultimate hero in this book, his story really is incredible.

I won't ruin the story for others, but in a very general outline this RAF navigator was shot down at the Germany/Holland border and with another man made his way through occupied territory to the coast to rendezvous with a submarine, only to be recaptured on the eve of the delayed departure.
He was transported to Stalag VIIIB, where he was imprisoned.

From here he escaped with another man, and travelled deep into Poland before falling ill and being recaptured interrogated and returned to Stalag VIIIB. After he recovered he escaped yet again, crossed Czechoslovakia and Austria, entered Hungary and was again captured.

After some recovery, then some torture and more recovery he was sent to Stalag Luft VI where the RAF POWs were held. Here he was invalided back to Britain as the war neared its end, by means of deception.

It is one of those book where the author justifies all this deeds, and his reasoning is provided. There are some aspects which are questionable, but in the circumstances it would be possible to justify many things.

A hard one to rate. Very easy to read, and no doubt Pape was brave and determined.
4 stars.