I'm putting together a post that describes how Comet was set up..
In the meantime, here's
George Duffee's story in his own words about 22nd June 1943, the day that changed his life.
George is described in many places as a veteran but he and his dear wife Janet are anything but! He was shot down while returning from his first bombing raid in his Halifax bomber on the night of 22/23 June '43.
It was his flight as "second dickey" - in other words, as supernumerary pilot before he commenced operational flying with his own crew.
After the eventful saga he described above, he finally found his way down to the Pays Basque, courtesy of "Franco" and Comète. He and a small party of other evaders were led over the Pyrenees via the Bidassoa route by the legendary Basque guide Florentino Goikoetxea on a night march in the rain that lasted
14 hours.
He can laugh about it now! (just about!) This experience marked him for life.
Here he is in the photo taken by Comet for his false papers.
On his return to Britain, he went back to operational flying and went on to fly 39 more operational sorties. He was honoured with the award of a well-deserved DFC. After the war, he flew some 236 sorties during the Berlin Airlift after which he became a civil airline pilot for British Airways where he had a distinguished career. A charismatic gentleman with a permanent twinkle in his eye, he exudes the indefatigable spirit that saw him through all that life could throw at him. George and Janet inspire respect and great affection from all who meet them. They now live in happy retirement at Aberaeron, Ceredigion.