Summary
On 14 August 1943, Adam Hart’s great-grandfather Frank Griffiths took off from RAF Tempsford, the SOE ‘Special Duties’ airbase in rural England. Frank and his crew were on a secret midnight mission codenamed Operation Pimento, but they were shot down near Annecy in southeast France.
Only Frank survived.
Though seriously injured, Frank felt it was his duty to get back to England to continue the fight against the Nazis. He embarked on a perilous, 1,200-mile, 108-day escape acros…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781399740142 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 1399740148 |
| Author: | Adam Hart |
| Publisher: | Hodder & Stoughton |
| Imprint: | Hodder & Stoughton |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Number of Pages: | 272 |
| Release Date: | 10 June 2025 |
| Weight: | 366g |
| Dimensions: | 34mm x 234mm x 154mm |
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Critics Review
Frank Griffiths’ incredible escape and evasion story will become a wartime classic. This is a unique book because Frank’s outstanding deeds are only part of the story. We also follow the writer’s own emotional journey through Europe as he follows in the footsteps of his great-grandfather and discovers the incredible bravery of those who risked their lives to help Frank escape. Truly inspiring. – Andy McNabAn affectionate and often audacious tale of an unsung WW2 hero, told by his great grandson. Adam Hart is a writer to watch out for. – Anthony HorowitzA thrilling tale of courage, bravery and survival, brought to life by Hart’s gripping narrative and fascinating personal connection. A superb debut. – Alice LoxtonThis moving family history pays fitting tribute to the courage and resilience of the Special Duties Squadrons’ crews, and the heroism of the French resisters serving alongside them. – Clare Mulley, Women’s Prize-longlisted author of ‘Agent Zo’A wonderfully evocative tale of one man’s escape from occupied Europe and the countless people who helped along the way, their extraordinary courage and sacrifice brought movingly to life across the generations by the author retracing his great-grandfather’s footsteps to freedom. – Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Wigston KCB CBE, Chief of the Air Staff, 2019-2023A classic tale of Second World War derring-do, told with flair. A wonderful debut. – Robert PennThe writer’s command of tension is on full display. Chapters break off at the opportune (read: most frustrating) moments to leave us hankering to find out how the Welsh airman gets out of the latest hair-raising situation he’s found himself in. And then, just as we’ve settled into Hart’s charming travelogue, back we go to his great-grandfather’s escape. * Nation.Cymru *There are touches of the BBC sitcom ‘Allo ‘Allo, such as the attic above the brothel, but for the most part it reflects the deadlier drama Secret Army… This is an inspiring story, warmly told as a travelogue. * Country Life *
About The Author
Adam Hart
Adam Hart is a writer and historian from Pembrokeshire in South West Wales. While training to be a journalist at Cardiff University, Adam won a travel bursary to retrace his great-grandfather’s escape in World War 2, inspiring this book. He has also written for The Times and Telegraph, appeared on the Antiques Roadshow and ITV Evening News and has spoken on Radio 4 and Times Radio. Operation Pimento is his first book.
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