h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

“Secret Army” is my favourite series. It is great drama, although it is a little annoying with the same extras in different parts. The fact that the series is based on actual events makes it even better. I believe the real-life evasion organisation in the series was the Comet line (led by a young Belgian girl). I also believe I have identified “Kessler” in real-life, a man whom survivors recalled as possessing a mild demeanour but had a cruel personality; the pilot who attacked the Gestapo HQ in Brussels in real-life was a Belgian pilot (if I am not mistaken). I know each of the scripts were based on real-life events but I am interested to know if anything has been published about this (besides Brason’s three books) or if any alternative literature can be recommended about the Belgian escape organisations.

Anders

I'm afraid I don't know of any other books on the subject; I came to it via the TV show and didn't really research beyond that. But what I can do is ask a friend of mine who is an expert on the show to see if he knows of any.

Glad you liked the entry, by the way, and thanks for posting.

Jimster

Thank you for your reply! I am actually interested in anything about the series so I would be glad to accept all information you can share (besides your excellent article about the series). I wish I had seen the serial behind the scenes but as far as I know they have never been aired in my country (Sweden).

Anders

Hi,

The real-life Belgian pilot who attacked the Gestapo HQ
is "Baron Jean de Sélys-Longchamps".
On 20 januari 1943 he alone made the attack in a Hawker Typhoon.
For the action he was demoted to Captain (the mission was not approved by HQ) but got the Distinguished Flying Cross.
He died on the night of 15 - 16 August 1943, shot down over Ostend.

There is a realy great website but it's in dutch ... http://users.pandora.be/amarcord/selys/