3. Two young French


While I was contemplating these moves, there was a rustling in one of the hedge rows and a voice was calling " Camarade ". Two boys (1) about fifteen years old came through the hedge. I was relieved to see that they were not wearing uniforms. As the boys approached, I sat up with difficulty, and got to my feet. Fierce pains had shot through my back when I got up from the ground, but they eased a little when I was standing. I knew only a few words of French, but I could understand that they wanted to help me.

One of the boys helped me remove the parachute harness and Mae West life preserver. He indicated that I should follow the other boy, while he hid the flying gear. I followed him across the field and crawled through the hedge.

Two bicycles were lying by the side of the road. The two boys must have been following my parachute as it drifted down.

We mounted the bicycles and started pedaling down the narrow road. Pain was racking my back and I wasn't sure I could ride any distance. With the extra spurt of energy and determination that is available in emergencies, I was able to stay about twenty feet behind my cycling companion. We rode through a small village(2) were several German soldiers were lounging in the street. They glanced at us but took no especial notice. Why hadn't they recognized me as an escaping American flier? I was wearing flying coveralls and a flight jacket which had a brightly colored squadron insignia sewed on the left breast. I had been foolhardy to tempt fate in this manner. I would have to be more cautious

(1) In fact, Marcel Biret and Célestin Dugast. Marcel Biret was aged 27 years and Célestin Dugast 21 years! (dead in 1950)
(2) Hamlet of Ouvrardière in St-Philbert de Grd Lieu

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