The Escape Line

Of all the resistance organizations that operated during the war, about which much has been written, one stands out for its transnational character, the diversity of the tasks its members took on, and the fact that, unlike many of the known evasion lines, it was not directed by Allied officers, but rather by group of ordinary citizens. Between 1942 and 1945, they formed a network to smuggle Dutch Jews and others targeted by the Nazis south into France, via Paris,and then to Switzerland. This network became known as the Dutch-Paris Escape Line, eventually growing to include 300 people and expanding its reach into Spain. Led by Jean Weidner, a Dutchman living inFrance, many lacked any experience in clandestine operations or military tactics, and yet they became one of the most effective resistance groups of the Second World War. Dutch-Paris largely improvised its operations-scrounging for food on the black market, forging documents, and raising cash. Hunted relentlessly by the Nazis, some were even captured and tortured. In addition to Jews, those it helped escape the clutches of the Nazis included resistance fighters, political foes, Allied airmen,and young men looking to get to London to enlist. As the need grew more desperate, so did the bravery of those who rose to meet it.Using recently declassified archives, The EscapeLine tells the story of the Dutch-Paris and the thousands of people it saved during World War II. Author Megan Koreman, who was given exclusive access to many of the archives, is herself the daughter of Dutch parents who were part of the resistance.

“"The book is compelling, engagingly written, and solidly researched." -- Valerie Deacon, NYU-Shanghai, H-Net reviews "The author is a deft narrator, drawing on original documents and survivors' accounts, and despite the grim realities of living in Nazi-occupied territory, there are enough lighter moments to give readers a well-rounded perspective. There is an enormous amount of detail....An invaluable account of genuine heroism in the midst of one of the most terrifying episodes of human history."--Kirkus, starred review "A virtue of this well-researched study is its lack of hyperbole: the narrative is flat, factual....Independent scholar Koreman simply documents what happened, providing details and allowing readers to make the connections....This fine study will be primarily of interest to students of World War II and the Holocaust."--David Keymer, Library Journal "The Resistance in France continues to fascinate scholars and hold an important place in the history and memory of wartime France. Megan Koreman adds to this literature with a carefully researched and detailed account of one network that never took up arms and yet fought against the Nazis. The study in itself adds to the historiography ... Koreman's approach clearly takes a wide view that encompasses humanitarian resistance and rescue as well as the activities of men and women, perhaps demonstrating how much our understanding and definition of resistance has changed over time.The Escape Line paints a richly detailed portrait of what ordinary people were able to do to help others in extraordinary circumstances." -- Shannon L. Fogg, H-France”

"Megan Koreman has written an exceptionally lucid history of Dutch-Paris in The Escape Line." -- Donald Reid, European History Quarterly"In this meticulously researched study, Megan Koreman brings to light the activities of the Dutch-Paris group, which consisted of an estimated 330 men and women resisting the Nazi authorities during World War II." -- Saskia Coenen Snyder, Journal of Modern History"The book is compelling, engagingly written, and solidly researched." -- Valerie Deacon, NYU-Shanghai, H-Net reviews"The author is a deft narrator, drawing on original documents and survivors' accounts, and despite the grim realities of living in Nazi-occupied territory, there are enough lighter moments to give readers a well-rounded perspective. There is an enormous amount of detail....An invaluable account of genuine heroism in the midst of one of the most terrifying episodes of human history."--Kirkus, starred review"A virtue of this well-researched study is its lack of hyperbole: the narrative is flat, factual....Independent scholar Koreman simply documents what happened, providing details and allowing readers to make the connections....This fine study will be primarily of interest to students of World War II and the Holocaust."--David Keymer, Library Journal"The Resistance in France continues to fascinate scholars and hold an important place in the history and memory of wartime France. Megan Koreman adds to this literature with a carefully researched and detailed account of one network that never took up arms and yet fought against the Nazis. The study in itself adds to the historiography ... Koreman's approach clearly takes a wide view that encompasses humanitarian resistance and rescue as well as the activitiesof men and women, perhaps demonstrating how much our understanding and definition of resistance has changed over time.The Escape Line paints a richly detailed portrait of what ordinary people were ableto do to help others in extraordinary circumstances." -- Shannon L. Fogg, H-France

Megan Koreman was formerly Associate Professor of History at Texas Tech University. She has spent a decade researching and writing about the Dutch-Paris escape line.

Of all the resistance organizations that operated during the war, about which much has been written, one stands out for its transnational character, the diversity of the tasks its members took on, and the fact that, unlike many of the known evasion lines, it was not directed by Allied officers, but rather by group of ordinary citizens. Between 1942 and 1945, they formed a network to smuggle Dutch Jews and others targeted by the Nazis south into France, via Paris,and then to Switzerland. This network became known as the Dutch-Paris Escape Line, eventually growing to include 300 people and expanding its reach into Spain. Led by Jean Weidner, a Dutchman living inFrance, many lacked any experience in clandestine operations or military tactics, and yet they became one of the most effective resistance groups of the Second World War. Dutch-Paris largely improvised its operations-scrounging for food on the black market, forging documents, and raising cash. Hunted relentlessly by the Nazis, some were even captured and tortured. In addition to Jews, those it helped escape the clutches of the Nazis included resistance fighters, political foes, Allied airmen,and young men looking to get to London to enlist. As the need grew more desperate, so did the bravery of those who rose to meet it.Using recently declassified archives, The EscapeLine tells the story of the Dutch-Paris and the thousands of people it saved during World War II. Author Megan Koreman, who was given exclusive access to many of the archives, is herself the daughter of Dutch parents who were part of the resistance.

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