At OTU flying with Murray Peden on Wellington’s on July 12, 1943 we were flying low due to heavy clouds when we ran into Balloon Barrages. The whistling air raid sirens scared us half to death. We knew then that we were off track. Thank God we avoided them, but I had my chute in hand ready to go.
Also at OTU on a cross country country, the Germans were bombing Newcastle. We moved too close and being in the rear turret, I suddenly saw an aircraft approaching across our path. I then noticed the black cross and saw that it was a JU88. We searched but it did not return.
We were shot down the night of Oct 18/19, 1943, we were carrying 2 enemy agents and containers for the Belgian Underground, when we were hit at 400 ft. by two flak guns and set on fire. We then crashed landed close to a little town called, Larum about 15 miles from Herentais, close to the Albert Canal. After leaving the aircraft I was on my own for 8 days, when I finally made contact with a young Begian rene d’changy, who hid me for 1 week and after went to the home of Commander De Pret Roose De Calsberg, Aide-de-camp to his Royal Highness Prince Albert for six weeks. Then after a couple of run ins with the Gestapo, I was sent to join a maquis unit until the end of the war. (14 months).
After a close call with the Gestapo, no more going to Spain for me. I was sent to join the Maquis Falenprise near Walcout, south of Belgium. I stayed in the woods for 4 months in the winter after I went to a section leader Maquis home(Armand Ligot). I worked with this Maquis and this was one of my proudest moments being with these great Belgian Patriots. Most are now dead, but I still visit the remaing three.

EVADER

Nov/43 Renaud de Pret on left
Self on right - Fallais Belgium

Frere Pecriaux; Allan Lucas; Nicole Michime;
Joseph Healey; Felix Aazezovitch; Raymond Avemovitch
Front - Charlie Warren in woods Belgium POW Escapers