March by Moonlight, Jack Love, Barry Love

In May 1942 RAF Bomber Command observer Jack Love s world comes crashing down, literally. His aircraft sustains flak damage and a catastrophic engine failure forces a crash-landing in Northern France. The pilot manages a safe belly-landing in a ploughed field, and the uninjured crew scramble free of the wreckage, running to safety as flames engulf the Wellington bomber. A five-week trek follows, mostly at night, as they march almost 300 miles across France, seeking the promise of sanctuary in Switzerland. They reach the River Doubs where wireless operator Stan Bradley tragically drowns during an attempt to swim the raging river. Pilot John Beecroft and front gunner Henry Hanwell reach the far bank, and subsequently become part of the now-famous Pat O Leary escape line. Jack and tail gunner Alec Crighton, unable to swim, attempt to find a suitable crossing, but stumble into a German patrol. For Jack and Alec The war is over. Three years of captivity follow, culminating in the infamous Long March. While incar