Welcome to the WWII Forums! Log in or Sign up to interact with the community.

"Tartan Pimpernel" Honoured In France

Discussion in 'WWII Today' started by GRW, Oct 26, 2019.

  1. GRW

    GRW Pillboxologist WW2|ORG Editor

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2003
    Messages:
    20,815
    Likes Received:
    3,042
    Location:
    Stirling, Scotland
    "A Church of Scotland minister, nicknamed the "Tartan Pimpernel", has been honoured in France.
    Rev Dr Donald Caskie helped thousands of prisoners of war escape a hilltop fort during World War Two.
    He and his French Resistance colleagues masterminded the rescue of RAF personnel under the noses of German soldiers through a sewer system at Fort de la Revere in 1942.
    A memorial plaque marking his work has been unveiled at the fort near Nice.
    Dr Caskie helped to bring 36 of the rescued men back to Britain in a submarine.
    The crofter's son from the Hebridean island of Islay helped save more than 2,000 men during World War Two.
    The plaque at the former military fort was installed by the Le Devoir du Memoire organisation, which honours those,affected by the war, including Resistance fighters."
    Church hero 'the Tartan Pimpernel' honoured
     
  2. wm.

    wm. Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2016
    Messages:
    1,456
    Likes Received:
    172
    Location:
    Poland
    The article is quite confusing.

    Caskie worked in Vichy France, in the unoccupied French Free Zone. He helped the people who found shelter there but weren't able to return to Britain.
    The only (and illegal) way was via Spain and that was his task.

    Later the Italians occupied that part of France. About the time of Italy's surrender he was able to convince the Italian commander of the POW camp at Fort de la Revere to let many of them free (instead of to handing them over to the Germans). That was the main source of the high number of rescued by him.

    That thing in 1942 didn't happen under the noses of German but Italian soldiers who generally didn't give a damn about anything.

    Generally, he didn't risk anything till 1943 when the Germans replaced the Italians, he was arrested and sentenced to death.
     
  3. bronk7

    bronk7 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2013
    Messages:
    4,753
    Likes Received:
    328
    Location:
    MIDWEST
    yes--I thought it was confusing
    ..however, he could've went back to Scotland, but stayed? this was risky IMO
    --I'd say this was brave to do
     
  4. wm.

    wm. Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2016
    Messages:
    1,456
    Likes Received:
    172
    Location:
    Poland
    He sacrificed a few years fighting - in his own way, and in the end, was arrested and only thanks to a share miracle avoided execution.
    For that alone, he deserves a bunch of medals.
     

Share This Page