IN BRIEF : Air Force Escape Society Will Meet
Downed American fliers and the European civilians who helped them escape German searchers during World War II will embrace again this month when the Air Force Escape and Evasion Society holds its annual meeting at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine Wednesday through Sunday.
Society membership is open to American airmen who were shot down and avoided capture or escaped from prisoner of war camps. The group reunites American fliers with the citizens of France, Norway, Italy, Austria and other countries who assisted them.
More than three dozen “helpers” are expected to attend this week’s meeting and will be honored with life memberships in the 8th Air Force Historical Society.
At the end of 1944, close to the end of the war in Europe, more than 8,000 American fliers had either found their way back to England or were in hiding in European countries.
Claude Murray of Sun City, Ariz., a P-38 reconnaissance pilot, was shot down over the Zuider Zee in 1944. He was found by resistance workers and remained in hiding until the end of the war.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
