The Great Épinal Escape

Indian Prisoners of War in German Hands

Ghee Bowman

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Hardback

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English

The History Press Ltd
01 July 2024

Second World War; Ethnic minorities & multicultural studies; Prisoners of war

An explosive tale of courage, survival and the incredible 500 Indian prisoners of war who escaped the clutches of the Nazis and crossed the border to freedom.

On 11 May 1944 just four weeks before D-Day 67 American heavy bombers dropped 168 tons of bombs on the sunlit French town of Epinal on the Moselle river. Unbeknownst to the aircrew of the 'Mighty Eighth', this was the temporary home of over 3,000 Indian prisoners of war, brought there by the occupying Germans a few months before, from camps across the Third Reich.

The bombs pierced the camp wall in places, and the prisoners many of whom had made escape attempts previously grabbed food and clothes and headed off, dodging German bullets. They knew that the Swiss frontier was just 100 kilometres away to the south, and that, if they could cross the border, they would be safe. Having been inside for up to four years, they were eager to get home.

For the next few weeks, the fields, mountains and forests of eastern France became the hiding place for hundreds of Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and Gurkhas. By the end of June, a staggering figure of 500 had arrived and were being housed in camps in northern Switzerland by a nation with long experience of looking after those escaping from conflict.

This was the largest successful escape of the Second World War.

All of this took place just six weeks after the famous 'Great Escape' from Stalag Luft III. In that escape, 76 men got out, 50 were shot by the Gestapo, and just three (two Norwegians and a Dutchman) made it back to Britain. In contrast, the 500 Indian POWs who escaped from Epinal in that same season are completely unknown. No film has been made, no book written of this astonishing feat.

Tracing the paths of 8 individuals who were at Epinal, this book tells the incredible true story of those 500 and the greatest escape of the Second World War.

AUTHOR: Ghee Bowman has a PhD from the University of Exeter. His interest in the little-known Indian presence at Dunkirk started him on a forensic journey of research that has spanned five countries and hundreds of lives. THE INDIAN CONTINGENT is his first book and the culmination of five years' research. He is a seasoned public speaker and has given several talks on Force K6 of the British Indian Army. He lives in Exeter.

20 b/w illustrations

By: Ghee Bowman
Imprint: The History Press Ltd
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9781803995007
ISBN 10: 1803995009
Publication Date: 01 July 2024
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Unspecified

GHEE BOWMAN has a PhD from the University of Exeter. His first book, The Indian Contingent, led him to discover the little-known events at Épinal. He is an experienced international researcher and seasoned public speaker, with a passion for social justice. As a historical consultant (advising on a range of projects including the BBC’s The Pursuit of Love), he has established himself as an expert on the Indian Army and the Second World.