Christopher Portway, Prisoner of War PRISONER OF WAR [STALAG V111B] DIARY OF 3 TIME ESCAPE ARTIST AND FUTURE FAMED TRAVEL WRITER CHRISTOPHER PORTWAY 1946
8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall Signed by Author Manuscript On offer is the extraordinary diary and typed personal account, with photographs and hand-signed straight after WWII in 1946 by Christopher Portway, now known as a well respected travel writer credited with having written sixteen books to date including 'Peddle For Your Life' which has a forward by Joanna Lumley. Ironically but not without charm Portway mentions in the very first paragraph that he is no story writer, nor has any ambitions to become one. It tells his story with passion and guts from the offset. Portway, a member of 130th Brigade of the 43rd Division begins with his capture by the SS in 1944, his journey through France and his grueling stay at Limburg Transit Camp and Teschen (Stalag V111B). Then the dark days being put to work in a treacherous coal mine at Hindenburg, his amazing escape to Poland and subsequent recapture and return to Teschen. In fact this incredible man escaped twice more before the end of the war, outwitting the Germans each time. This is an outstanding story of courage, friendship, hardship and humor which is as fascinating and stirring as any Hollywood motion picture. One note: At times this can be tough reading as he has been witness to terrible mass murder and personal hardships which are described in an unflinching manner. The book is littered with ephemera bits; clippings, photographs some appear take at the time and some taken a year or so later of places he went through, the railway station at Metz, POW camp at Munsten, Prague, the road to Karlsbad and a beautiful girl who assisted him and his friend at the risk of her own life. There are some cuttings (some missing), stuck in maps, and postcards of Paris. There are also plans showing the layout of Hindenberg Camp and their escape route. The odd page has a piece missing here or there, but to no real detriment or loss to content, otherwise nicely looked after. 70 pages in total. Truly amazing piece of military history, about a true hero overcoming all the odds and facing death at every turn. Another photo of note included remains a sad photograph of a grave he and his friend (of the 4th Gordon Highlanders) dug for an Englishman that was shot in the throat right in front of them. And a poem entitled 'CHARTRES' where although Red Cross parcels did begin to come through - he was not at all sorry to leave. Remarkable true life account. Very Good
$C5895
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