peter van der linden

Escape and Evasion' is the true story of one of the most unique feats of evasion during World War II. This book also tells of the courage and determination of the people involved in the Dutch underground and resistance organizations who risked their own lives and that of their loved ones to help and hide a large number of Allied military men that had been forced to make premature landings, by glider or parachute, into enemy territory. As one part of Operation Market Garden the Allies undertook the largest airborne operation of World War II, however, not all Allied transport, glider tug aircraft, and gliders would reach their designated drop and landing-zones at Eindhoven, Nijmegen, and Arnhem. From day one of the operation a large number of airborne troops and aircraft personnel would be forced to make premature landings, far away from their original destinations, in enemy held territory in the province of North Brabant. These soldiers and airmen were not only greatly assisted by the local resistance during their escape by being safely hidden, but in some cases they were also brought together as a large body of men, ultimately able to participate in the liberation of the area.