This
is the extraordinary tale of a Second World War Airman shot down and taken
captive. Although never an escapee, his skills as an artist enabled him
to help others by forging vital documents.
Jim Hunter's war took a turn for the wrose when he succeeded in hunting down the German battleship Scharnhost and her escorts in the Atlantic. Displaying almost reckless bravery he and his fellow Beaufort crew members pressed home their attack before succumbing to the inevitable; a swim in the Atlantic! Rescued after a mercifully short time, Jim became a POW but his war was by no means over.
Fortunately he kept a diary throughout his captivity, in
itself a hugely risky thing to do and it is this that forms the basis
of this evocative memoir. Throughout it we gain a fascinating insight
into 'kriegie' life; the comradeship, the frustration, monotony and, above
all, the restless urge of human spirit for freedom with the associated
risk and excitement. Jim Hunter was not only a gifted writer but an artist
of talent, as witnessed by the reproduction of a selection of his paintings
which like his diary somehow survived the war. His draughtsmanship was
put to good use as a master forger of escape documents. 
His
description of the hardships suffered during the closing stages of the
war make for poignant reading. Although six foot tall, Jim weighed a mere
90 lbs when liberated.
From Coastal Command to Captivity is a superb read and a late, but great, addition to the bibliography of POW life during the Second World War.
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Too enlarge back cover, click here.
Find out about the story behind the story! Read an article on how this memoir came about.
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