Shot Down Behind Enemy Lines
Allied airmen deep into Europe during the second world war faced many inconveniences such as the cold and oxygen-deprived conditions at high altitude, and a multitude of dangers. There was heavy flak – anti-aircraft fire that released fragments of shrapnel capable of severely damaging the aircraft, causing fires and/or mechanical failures. Flak didn’t have to rely on direct hits. It was capable of bringing down aircraft even with near misses and was responsible for the severe injuries and deaths of many airmen.
When a flak shell exploded near an aircraft, a large number of sharp metal fragments was released, penetrating the fuselage, the wings, and essential aircraft components and resulting in instantaneous damage and often causing pilots to lose of control.
Heavy flak tended to totally disrupt bomber formations, which was further complicated by the presence of enemy fighters eager to pick off any individual bombers who had abandoned the formation.
If shot down, allied airmen risked being captured by enemy forces and would certainly face harsh conditions as prisoners of war.
I recall a friend of mine who had been a gunner on a B-17 telling me of his experience when he was forced to bail out when his aircraft was going down. “Just as I went out the door I remembered what the fellow told me when he issued me my parachute. He said, ‘If this chute dosn’t open, bring it back and we’ll give you another one.’”
The airmen shot down behind enemy lines had to attempt to evade capture by employing "escape and evasion" tactics. They often depended on local resistance groups to negotiate their way through enemy-occupied territory in hopes of making it to friendly forces. This was especially true in Europe, where many Allied airmen were shot down over Germany and France. They would frequently blend in among civilian populations, using pre-determined escape routes, going so far in some cases as stealing enemy vehicles in order to make their way back to safety.
For more about the fascinating and heroic efforts of the Allied airmen and the resistance fighters who risked their lives to help them, go to:
The Kindness of Strangers: Escape Routes and the Resistance
Primary Evasion Lines in Western Europe
A Successful Evasion
MIS-X: The U.S. Escape and Evasion Experts
Tools of the Trade
Escape and Evasion Accounts
Two Escapes: Capt. Jack Ilfrey