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Take Men on Board!

The Dutch WW2 Escapes to England

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About this listen

Dutch law graduate Philip Winckel manages to escape Nazi-occupied Holland in February 1944. Germany still had the Country in its deadly grip, its long coastline included. Joined by a radio engineer plus three geology students, Philip miraculously slips through the enemy's Atlantic Wall fortifications by sailing away in a small, repurposed fishing vessel. Powered by a Chevy truck engine, the five men crossed the perilous North Sea to reach England. Many had tried before but failed resulting in their imprisonment and execution. The odds of their success were comparable to Russian roulette albeit with just one empty chamber.

Theirs was the only successful Dutch get away in 1944. They had much help. Over 100 individuals risked everything to assist them. In London, the five men put themselves in the service of HM Queen Wilhelmina by joining the Allied cause through the RAF, the Princess Irene Brigade and the Netherlands East Indies Army. For some the end goal was to free family members from the brutal Japanese prisoner camps.

As their liberation was achieved the Dutch colony erupted in total chaos, barreling towards its independence. Philip provides a chilling eyewitness account by taking part in a massive POW repatriation effort with a deeply personal outcome.

Meticulously researched, Borre's engrossing story takes its listeners from occupied Holland to a free England and finally to Indonesia, the former Netherlands East Indies. Against all odds, after frequent mishaps and countless dangers, the book's protagonists finally triumph. The Mighty 8th Air Force and the RAF Air Sea Rescue Service played significant roles in this outcome. This is a true tale of luck, adversity, and perseverance. The listener will be challenged by the thought, "What would I have done?"

Uniquely, this rescue was filmed! Search for "RAF Rescue of Engelandvaarders."

Finally, visit "Take Men on Board" on Facebook for tons of images to complement the audio experience!

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Borre Winckel (P)2025 Borre Winckel Military & War England Emotionally Gripping Air Force
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A powerful, meticulously researched World War II survival story recounting a miraculous Dutch escape in 1944. Take Men on Board! follows the survivors from the dangerous North Sea crossing, all the way to the chaos of post-war Indonesia. This unique, multi-layered historicall narrative offers rare evidence of the rescue and will leave you deeply moved and questioning your own courage

A miraculous escape and the fight for freedom

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Listener received this title free

What an amazing story! And wonderfully read by the author (and son of one of the escapees) Borre Winckel - his clear, precise diction and American-Dutch accent add authenticity and real verve to this extraordinary tale.

Throughout the war many of those who attempted to flee occupied Holland by sea perished in the process. But this plucky group of 5 students do succeed, against considerable odds. The narrator paints a vivid picture of life under Nazi occupation and draws together many varied strands to explain how the escape boat is acquired and repurposed; as well as providing incredible detail of the lenghts (and risks) that many people went to to assist them in the planning and execuation of the voyage.

Once the story shifts to the actual crossing the excitement intensifies. Somehow the Dutchmen slip past a German guardboat and make it to the open North Sea. And amazingly the Chevtolet engine in their little boat keeps running. By sheer chance they encounter an RAF High Speed Launch which is on its way to a rendezvous off the Dutch coast. After agonizing concerns that the launch might be German the relief when the RAF roundels are spotted is palpable.

They are warmly welcomed aboard by the RAF crew and later that day landed on British soil. However, life does not suddenly become simple! They have to endure interrogation by both the British and the Dutch intelligence services. The narrator gives us some fascinating insights into the lengthy ordeal as well as the much anticipated meeting and tea with the Dutch queen in exile Wilhelmina.

After that the auhor describes how the 5 students go on to serve their country in various ways: the Princess Irene Brigade, the Netherlands East Indies Army and the RAF.

This is a fantastic story and the author/ narrator does full justice to it and his detailed research with a spirited and gripping reading.

Gripping story of derring-do in WW II

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Listener received this title free

I learned some new history I had never heard before: this Dutch boat was the only one to reach the UK during World War II. The book covers the challenges and the preservation that the crew had to endure to make it to the UK. But the story doesn't stop there as five men on the boat then join the military to free World War II prisoners held in Japan.

Learned Some New History That I Never Heard

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Listener received this title free

This is quite the exciting story or rather accounts of history. The heroes and challenges they overcame are inspiring and incredible to think about. The stories come alive in this narration. I'm glad and grateful that this is available to share with the world what transpired.

wild - it almost seems like fiction

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Listener received this title free

This audiobook is long but very interesting because of the depth of the events in the second world war. By that I mean the amount that hapopaned and the horror and tension of it. This boook is about what happened in the Netherlands and Nordic zones. I have to admit that it took me a little getting used to the narrator's accent, but it seemed to soften and clarify in my ears as it went on.

A great account of fascinating experiences

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