Shot Down: The Secret Diary of One POW's Long March to Freedom
“An incredibly rich life story . . . It is also a significant addition to Australian military, aviation, and prisoner of war history. Uplifting. Read it.” —Bomber Command Australia
 
Alex Kerr’s Wellington, a twin-engine bomber, was shot down over Germany in 1941. At first hospitalized with hopes of repatriation, he unexpectedly found himself a prisoner in a German POW camp. Throughout those trying four years he was held captive, Alex kept a secret diary. This book reproduces his diary entries in a fascinating account of all aspects of life in a wartime prison.
 
He describes being part of the infamous Long March during which he and his comrades were strafed by Allied aircraft; sixty POWs were killed and one hundred wounded. Alex escaped the march with a mate, passing through the front lines between the British and German forces to commandeer a German mayor’s car and drive back to Brussels to take the next aircraft to freedom.
 
Alex’s charm and optimistic outlook will buoy the reader throughout, and the camaraderie between him and his captive comrades is always entertaining. This is an authentic Second World War adventure from being shot out of the sky, to incarceration and the ultimate triumph of escape and the end of the war.
 
“Based on a secret diary maintained during four years of imprisonment, this is an authentic voice from WWII. The author demonstrates charm and optimism which lightens what might have been a depressing story. Recommended.” —Firetrench
1124484701
Shot Down: The Secret Diary of One POW's Long March to Freedom
“An incredibly rich life story . . . It is also a significant addition to Australian military, aviation, and prisoner of war history. Uplifting. Read it.” —Bomber Command Australia
 
Alex Kerr’s Wellington, a twin-engine bomber, was shot down over Germany in 1941. At first hospitalized with hopes of repatriation, he unexpectedly found himself a prisoner in a German POW camp. Throughout those trying four years he was held captive, Alex kept a secret diary. This book reproduces his diary entries in a fascinating account of all aspects of life in a wartime prison.
 
He describes being part of the infamous Long March during which he and his comrades were strafed by Allied aircraft; sixty POWs were killed and one hundred wounded. Alex escaped the march with a mate, passing through the front lines between the British and German forces to commandeer a German mayor’s car and drive back to Brussels to take the next aircraft to freedom.
 
Alex’s charm and optimistic outlook will buoy the reader throughout, and the camaraderie between him and his captive comrades is always entertaining. This is an authentic Second World War adventure from being shot out of the sky, to incarceration and the ultimate triumph of escape and the end of the war.
 
“Based on a secret diary maintained during four years of imprisonment, this is an authentic voice from WWII. The author demonstrates charm and optimism which lightens what might have been a depressing story. Recommended.” —Firetrench
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Shot Down: The Secret Diary of One POW's Long March to Freedom

Shot Down: The Secret Diary of One POW's Long March to Freedom

by Alex Kerr
Shot Down: The Secret Diary of One POW's Long March to Freedom

Shot Down: The Secret Diary of One POW's Long March to Freedom

by Alex Kerr

eBook

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Overview

“An incredibly rich life story . . . It is also a significant addition to Australian military, aviation, and prisoner of war history. Uplifting. Read it.” —Bomber Command Australia
 
Alex Kerr’s Wellington, a twin-engine bomber, was shot down over Germany in 1941. At first hospitalized with hopes of repatriation, he unexpectedly found himself a prisoner in a German POW camp. Throughout those trying four years he was held captive, Alex kept a secret diary. This book reproduces his diary entries in a fascinating account of all aspects of life in a wartime prison.
 
He describes being part of the infamous Long March during which he and his comrades were strafed by Allied aircraft; sixty POWs were killed and one hundred wounded. Alex escaped the march with a mate, passing through the front lines between the British and German forces to commandeer a German mayor’s car and drive back to Brussels to take the next aircraft to freedom.
 
Alex’s charm and optimistic outlook will buoy the reader throughout, and the camaraderie between him and his captive comrades is always entertaining. This is an authentic Second World War adventure from being shot out of the sky, to incarceration and the ultimate triumph of escape and the end of the war.
 
“Based on a secret diary maintained during four years of imprisonment, this is an authentic voice from WWII. The author demonstrates charm and optimism which lightens what might have been a depressing story. Recommended.” —Firetrench

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781473878044
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Limited
Publication date: 01/31/2020
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 208
Sales rank: 897,321
File size: 19 MB
Note: This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

During his time as a prisoner, Alex Kerr was involved in three escape attempts, one of which included the construction of a 'record breaking' tunnel. He succeeded on his third attempt.

After his escape Alex returned to the United Kingdom, before embarking for Australia in August 1945, and arriving in Sydney the following month. Returning to civilian life, Alex married and had five children. He pursued an academic career, ultimately becoming a Professor and Deputy Vice Chancellor of Murdoch University in Western Australia. Alex is a member of the RSL.

Table of Contents

Foreword 1

Prologue 2

Chapter 1 Antiquity 3

Chapter 2 Childhood, 1921-1929 7

Chapter 3 Pre-war, 1929-1939 17

Chapter 4 Off to War, 1940 23

Chapter 5 The Pacific and Canada, 1940 28

Chapter 6 England at War, 1941 32

Chapter 7 On Operations, 1941 37

Chapter 8 A Fire in the Sky, 1941 44

Chapter 9 Hospitalised in Germany, 1941 52

Chapter 10 Convalescence, 1941 58

Chapter 11 Off to Prison Camp, 1941 65

Chapter 12 Stalag IIIE: Kirchain, Germany, 1941 71

Chapter 13 Settling into Prison Life, 1941 78

Chapter 14 First Christmas in Prison, 1941 84

Chapter 15 A Dismal Year, 1942 89

Chapter 16 The Tunnel, 1942 99

Chapter 17 On the Loose, 1942 103

Chapter 18 Recaptured, 1942 110

Chapter 19 Stalag Luft III: Sagan, Poland, 1942 116

Chapter 20 Sports and Escapes, 1942 124

Chapter 21 Second Christmas in Prison, 1942 131

Chapter 22 Turn of the Tide, 1943 138

Chapter 23 Stalag Luft VI: Heydekrug, East Prussia, 1943 145

Chapter 24 Third Christmas in Prison, 1943 152

Chapter 25 The Invasion, 1944 157

Chapter 26 Stalag 357 Thorn: Poland, 1944 163

Chapter 27 Fourth Christmas in Prison: Fallingbostel, Germany, 1944 169

Chapter 28 The Long March: Germany, 1945 174

Chapter 29 Freedom, 1945 181

Chapter 30 Home Sweet Home, 1945 186

Epilogue 193

Acknowledgements 198

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