Geoff Curtis, a Flight Engineer with 614 Pathfinder Squadron flew on operations across the Adriatic and over the Balkans to Romania and Germany from their base in Foggia, southern Italy until he was shot down over Hungary in 1944.

What followed was an unpleasant period spent as a POW in less than salubrious conditions at various locations including Komarno Castle and Stalags 17a and 17b.

The author's lucid descriptions of life on active duty in a Pathfinder squadron, the traumatic experience of 'baling out' for an unscheduled parachute drop over enemy territory and the  subsequent challenges of survival as a prisoner of war, make for educational reading and are now of significant historical value.

After the war Geoff stayed in the RAF and his duties took him to many parts of the world. He flew in Lancasters and Shackletons with Coastal Command; witnessed the Atomic bomb test near Christmas Island in 1958; and enjoyed tours of duty in Kenya and Cyprus as well as at various locations in the UK.

His many adventures are all recalled in this very readable account, delivered with a sharp eye for detail and a keen sense of humour.