Overview

Often quoted as the model for the Steve McQueen character in ""The Great Escape"", by age 21, Ken had already trained to be a pilot officer; flown 56 hair-raising bomber missions by night over Germany; taken part in the siege of Malta; got married; been shot down into a remote Norwegian lake; and been captured, interrogated and sent to Stalag Luft III. He took part in and survived the Great Escape and then the forced March to Bremen. This is truly a real-life adventure story, written with accuracy, pace and drama. Life is pretty dull for Ken Rees these days. At seventeen he carved danger and excitement; fast planes and cars; rugby, speed and women. Then war came and by the age of twenty-one he had already trained to be a pilot officer; flown fifty-six hair-raising bomber missions by night over Germany; taken part in the siege of Malta; got married; been shot down into a remote Norwegian lake; been captured, questioned by the Gestapo, then sent to Stalag Luft III, where he participated in and survived the Great Escape and terrible forced march to Bremen. Now he lives relatively peacefully in Anglesey and in finding time to research and write his memoirs with Karen Arrandale, has vividly recreated what it was like to be in charge of an air crew at such a tender age with responsibility for a large and expensive aircraft going 300 miles behind enemy lines, at the same time avoiding flak and enemy fighters and witnessing other comrades being shot down out of the sky. Moreover, he writes movingly about his experiences after capture in the prisoner of war camp, about the build-up to the Escape and the aftermath of it. Ken's story has it all, excitement, accuracy, pace and drama and he describes, events which have become legendary as the former Kriegies - his friends and colleagues - pass out of this world. AUTHOR: Wing Commander Ken Rees was one of the few remaining Great Escapers and was been interviewed extensively for newspapers, radio and television, not least during his appearances on programmes like 'Behind the Wire'. He was an excellent raconteur with man...

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9781904943419

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"""'In an age obsessed with C-list television celebrities battling it out on phoney ""reality"" survival shows, Rees and his dwindling band of Great Escapers stand out as the real thing.' The Daily Telegraph 'Written in frank, warm and readable style, this is a very engaging account of a remarkable life.' New History 'A brave man's memory. Hear the fear yet take succour from the courage.' North Wales Chronicle"""

'In an age obsessed with C-list television celebrities battling it out on phoney reality survival shows, Rees and his dwindling band of Great Escapers stand out as the real thing.' The Daily Telegraph 'Written in frank, warm and readable style, this is a very engaging account of a remarkable life.' New History 'A brave man's memory. Hear the fear yet take succour from the courage.' North Wales Chronicle

""'In an age obsessed with C-list television celebrities battling it out on phoney ""reality"" survival shows, Rees and his dwindling band of Great Escapers stand out as the real thing.' The Daily Telegraph 'Written in frank, warm and readable style, this is a very engaging account of a remarkable life.' New History 'A brave man's memory. Hear the fear yet take succour from the courage.' North Wales Chronicle""

Author Information

H.K. Rees specializes in World War II History.

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