Our thanks to Lynn David for permission to reproduce on this website the book by his father, Clayton C. David, They Helped Me Escape, From Amsterdam to Gibraltar in 1944, published in 2010.  This is the second edition of the book, the first having been published in 1988.  The Epilogue to the new edition includes the trips Clayton and his wife, Lenora (“Scotty”), made in 1989, 1990, 1995, 1999, 2001, 2003, and 2004 to Europe to visit where he was aided by the Dutch and French during WWII, reunite with the families of his helpers, and attend reunions plus the 2007 AFEES reunion in St. Louis.

Following the images of the front and back covers, a series of pdf files contains the entire book.  Click on each individual file to view that portion of the book.  It should take only a few seconds for each pdf file to open.

• Front and back covers, title page, copyright page, introduction, acknowledgement, contents, and map of escape route: Front-Covers
• Chapter 1 – Pilot Training: Chapter 1- Pilot Training
• Chapter 2 – Survival: Chapter 2- Survival
• Chapter 3 – The Netherlands: Chapter 3- The Netherlands
• Chapter 4 – Travel by Train: Chapter 4- Travel By Train
• Chapter 5 – The First Border Crossing: Chapter 5- The First Border Crossing
• Chapter 6 – To Brussels and Paris: Chapter 6- To Brussels and Paris
• Chapter 7 – Paris: Chapter 7- Paris
• Chapter 8 – Arrests and Escape: Chapter 8- Arrests and Escape
• Chapter 9 – Traveling Alone on a French Train: Chapter 9- Traveling Alone on a French Train
• Chapter 10 – A Leap Into the Unknown: Chapter 10- A Leap into the Unknown
• Chapter 11 – The Free French Connection: Chapter 11- The Free French Connection
• Chapter 12 – An Escort with a Lookout: Chapter 12- An Escort with a Lookout
• Chapter 13 – The Pyrenees — Beauty and Mystery: Chapter 13- The Pyrenees- Beauty and Mystery
• Chapter 14: The Crossing: Chapter 14- The Crossing
• Chapter 15 – Spain — Arrest and Internment: Chapter 15- Spain- Arrest and Internment
• Chapter 16 – Return to England: Chapter 16- Return to England
• Chapter 17 – The Faith of Family and Friends: Chapter 17- The Faith of Family and Friends
• Chapter 18 – Return to Duty: Chapter 18 – Return to Duty
• A Tribute to My Helpers: A Tribute to My Helpers
• Epilogue: Epilogue

Index to Evaders

• • Buckner (Butler), John R.  (waist gunner) – pp. 87, 90,
  • Koenig (Koening), Wlm. J. (co-pilot) – pp. 86, 90
  • Lock, Wlm. (B-17 pilot) – pg. 86, 90
  • Mullins, Charles (waist gunner on same plane as Lock) – pp. 86, 90
  • Schumann, Donald C. (Amer.) – pg. 86, 90
  • Shaver, Kenneth D. (Ken) – (engineer) – pg. 50, 87-158, 176
  • Smith, (Flt Officer, RAF) – pg. 86, 89-90
• Pilot: Watson, Lt. Jack – 17, 163, 169, 173
• List of POWs, MIA/KIA – 28-29

Index to Helpers

Netherlands

• • Abercrombie, Wiet – pg. 26
  • Folmer, Joke (Johanna Maria Folmer) (“The Little Rabbit”) – pg. 37, 41-42, 47-50, 52-58, 87, 183, 185, 193, 204, 206, 209
  • Glimmerveen, Miss Betty (M.E.) – pg. 30, 31, 33-36, 38-39
  • Glimmerveen, Willy – pg. 31, 34
  • Hendrikse, Jon (“Ambrosius”) – pg. 41-43,
  • Kuipers-Bakker, Ida C. – pg. 24-25
  • Moonen, Betsy Franssen (Elizabeth-Johanna Catharine Moonen) – pg. 66-69
  • Raedts, P.R. – pg. 62
  • Rensick, Mr. and Mrs. J. (Jan and Riek) – pg. 28-29, 36
  • Schouten, Piet, Aart, and Siemon – pg. 21, 25-26, 33, 183-184, 187
  • Smits (Smit), Eugene – pg. 43, 59, 70
  • Spierings, Marianne-Slabbers (“Cato”) – pg. 70-74, 76
  • Suis, Tuibro (Suebro) – pg. 41, 48
  • Ummels, Giel and Jen – pg. 44-46, 66-67, 69
  • Vrij, Jacques (“Leo”) – 43, 48-50, 59-65, 75, 185, 193, 196, 204, 206
  • Wolff, Erik – pg. 26

France

• • Arhex – See also under Viatel, Paule, “Claire”
  • Arhex, Jacques – pg. 186
  • Arhex, Jean (Jean-Baptiste, “Andre”, “Andree”, “Jainy Lafonte”, “Sultan II”) – pg. 135, 137, 140, 142, 146-147, 185, 196-197, 199
  • Barraau, Louis – pg. 196
  • Beffera, Rena and Ann-Marie – 110-115, 117-120, 129, 132, 137
  • Cotter, Jean – pg. 131
  • Cournil, Bernard – pg. 128, 130-132
  • Gaillard, Marcel – pg. 130
  • Guillermin (“Pacha”) – pg. 131
  • Guillon, Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel, George – pg. 100-101, 105-108, 185-186,
  • Maravel – pg. 143-144
  • Mathurin, Robo – pg. 91-92, 95, 97
  • Picard (“Sultan”) – pg. 131, 147
  • Pontier, Henri and Rene (Sultan VII) – pg. 122, 128-129, 131, 133, 147
  • Rateau (“Pape”) – pg. 131
  • Robo, Father Gerand – pg. 95-96
  • Rovella, Harold – pg. 131
  • Steel, Armand – pg. 130
  • Tricot, Henri – pg. 128
  • Viatel Arhex, Paule  (“Claire”) – pg. 134-148, 185-186, 193, 196-197, 199