Were They Prepared? Escape and Evasion in Western Europe, 1942-1944

This paper provides a review of the training and environment for American escape and evasion activity in Western Europe during World War II, with special focus on the period from 1942 to 1944. The study first examines the environment (physical, political, cultural) in which evasion activity took pla...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Counts, Laura C
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
AIR FORCE TRAINING
ESCAPE
ESCAPE SYSTEMS
EVASION
FLIGHT CREWS
HISTORY
Humanities and History
TRAINING
Unconventional Warfare
WARFARE
WESTERN EUROPE
WORLD WAR 2
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Summary:This paper provides a review of the training and environment for American escape and evasion activity in Western Europe during World War II, with special focus on the period from 1942 to 1944. The study first examines the environment (physical, political, cultural) in which evasion activity took place. It then details the escape/evasion training and equipment provided to US aircrews to prepare them for successful escape and evasion. The author concludes that the training, which lacked comprehensiveness and standardization, was deficient by today's standards. However, it was the first such training ever developed on the subject and, given the circumstances surrounding its development and administration, it was remarkably successful in accomplishing its objectives.