 | The Comet Connection: Escape from Hitler''s Europe Subjects: Watt George 1913-; World War 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations American; World War 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives American; World War 1939-1945 -- Underground movements -- Belgium; Escapes -- Belgium; Flight engineers -- United States -- Biography; ; In 1943 American aviator Watt was shot down over Belgium with his crew, two of whom were killed. Aided by members of the Comet Line, an underground organization active in helping Allied military personnel in both Belgium and France, he made his way across France, doubly vulnerable because he was a Jew and an American. He reached Spain at great risk--he had fought with the Loyalists in the Spanish Civil War--eventually got to Gibraltar and was then taken back to England. The tale of Watt's odyssey is highly suspenseful, with an impact heightened by the account of his return to Belgium in 1984 and 1985 to visit those who had helped him escape--and learn of the bitter price paid by hundreds of members of the Comet Line. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved George Watt was a leader in the student movement of the 1930s, worked as a printer and a social worker, and retired as an administrator of a community mental health center. |
