Fragmentary wartime memoir excerpt with Belgian encounter and frontier travel
The narrator recalls posing as a Belgian immigrant and evading German authorities near the Dutch frontier. He describes footwear shortages, wooden shoes, and daily life among peasants in Belgium and Germany. He notes discomfort with a prospective observer and hides with a family, observing limited rooms, cows, and a tense, unfolding escape toward Holland.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Helena
Belgium
Holland
Germany
Toma
Escape Through Barbed Wires Aided by Improvised Ladder
Narrator recalls a perilous night near the Belgium Holland border as he constructs a rough pine ladder to surmount a double fence. After a failed attempt with the live electric wire, he digs under the barrier, finally crawling to safety in Holland while evading a German sentry and enduring hours of danger.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Belgium
Holland
Bolland
Germany
Felix
Uberty
Fenrem
Sete
Biehes
Helgiana
Ime
Mare
Joss Burpleton
Tara
North Star
Owmaeled
Exnunlaler Tener Geerea Ak Boullet
Tmt
Fnr
Mberty
Tiine
Jawend
Dessine
Tian
Experiences in Holland during my escape as a British officer
A British officer recounts fleeing through Dutch countryside, dodging German nets and a fence with live wires, and finding refuge in a Dutch village. He describes disguising himself, approaching Dutch sentries, and finally reaching a village where locals feed and aid him before meeting British consul officials.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Carter
Willie
Jamal
Ronke & Teollie
Meuse
Howe
Holland
Botevich
Bolland
Olhea
Hoeneol
Blohoffen
Also Mentioned on This Page
Pat O'Brien
Pat O'Urien
Pital
East Po
Sais
Kala
Pendaydine
Oliver
Dane
Malan Dot Juat
Fenee
Fohad
Gerinaus
Nentry
Eal
Tle
Tam
Tay
Oelpole
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!