Pembrokeshire author retraces daring WW2 escape in new book
A YOUNG author from Pembrokeshire is set to publish his first book this week, telling the incredible true story of his great-grandfather's escape from Nazi-occupied Europe during the Second World War.
Adam Hart, 25, who grew up just outside Narberth and attended Tavernspite Primary School, will release Operation Pimento: My Great-Grandfather's Great Escape on Thursday (June 5). The book is being published by Hodder & Stoughton in hardback, eBook and audio formats.
The story follows Squadron Leader Frank Griffiths, a Special Duties pilot from north Wales, who was shot down in August 1943 while on a secret mission to drop supplies to the French Resistance. Frank's plane crashed near the village of Annecy, killing six crew members and five civilians. Frank was the only survivor.
What followed was a breathtaking 1,400-mile escape over 108 days, as Frank—helped by French villagers, children, brothel workers and resistance fighters—made his way to safety via Spain and Gibraltar. His journey included hiding in an attic above a brothel, crawling through a chimney, and enduring a prison cell in Franco's Spain before finally reaching Allied forces.
In 2022, Adam retraced his great-grandfather's entire escape route, meeting descendants of those who had risked their lives to save Frank. The book combines their two stories across time, paying tribute to wartime bravery and the lasting impact of shared history.
'Growing up, I always thought of my great-grandfather as a hero,' said Adam. 'But during my journey I realised the true heroes were the ordinary French civilians who risked imprisonment, torture and even death to help him.'
The book has already received high praise from bestselling authors and historians. Andy McNab called it 'truly inspiring,' while Anthony Horowitz said it was 'an affectionate and often audacious tale of an unsung WW2 hero.'
Adam has previously written for The Times and The Telegraph, and has appeared on Antiques Roadshow, ITV Evening News, and Radio 4.
Operation Pimento is available from Thursday (June 5), priced at £22.
Adam Hart, 25, will release Operation Pimento: My Great-Grandfather's Great Escape on Thursday (June 5).
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