James Atterby McCairns joined the Royal Air Force in 1939 and flew Spitfires as a Sergeant Pilot with No. 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron from October 1940. In April 1941, his squadron moved to the south coast of England, where it became part of Wing Commander Douglas Bader’s famous Tangmere Wing. In July 1941, while on an intruder sortie, McCairns’s Spitfire was hit by enemy fire, crash-landing on the French side of the Channel near Gravelines.
Imprisoned deep inside Germany, he nonetheless managed to escape on his third attempt with the aid of a Belgian fellow prisoner, Lucien Charlier. The Belgian Comet organisation, at great risk to themselves, hid him in Brussels and assisted his passage through France and Spain, and eventually Gibraltar. For his courageous and determined evasion, McCairns was awarded the Military Medal and granted a commission.
Resolving to repay his debt to the Resistance, McCairns joined No. 161 (Special Duties) Squadron, based at Tempsford and Tangmere. From October 1942 to November 1943, he completed 25 successful Lysander secret operations, more than any other pilot in the European theatre, delivering and picking up intelligence agents and supplies in occupied France, flying by dead reckoning, at night, and landing in farmers’ fields. He earned three Distinguished Flying Crosses for these daring exploits.
This book tells his story in his own words.
Imprisoned deep inside Germany, he nonetheless managed to escape on his third attempt with the aid of a Belgian fellow prisoner, Lucien Charlier. The Belgian Comet organisation, at great risk to themselves, hid him in Brussels and assisted his passage through France and Spain, and eventually Gibraltar. For his courageous and determined evasion, McCairns was awarded the Military Medal and granted a commission.
Resolving to repay his debt to the Resistance, McCairns joined No. 161 (Special Duties) Squadron, based at Tempsford and Tangmere. From October 1942 to November 1943, he completed 25 successful Lysander secret operations, more than any other pilot in the European theatre, delivering and picking up intelligence agents and supplies in occupied France, flying by dead reckoning, at night, and landing in farmers’ fields. He earned three Distinguished Flying Crosses for these daring exploits.
This book tells his story in his own words.
