A Man Escaped: The Classic WWII Escape Adventure

This book is a modern re-print of a true story of escape that happened in France in WW2. Andre DeVigny was a hero of the French Resistance, and his escape from Montluc Prison counts as one of the great escapes of the entire war. In fact, without any exaggeration, DeVigny's exploits put him into the category of one of the all-time greatest escape artists in human history. If this comment seems overstated, then consider the odds he was up against: Montluc Prison in Lyons was a fortress run by the German Gestapo (not by the normal German military). Prisoners were half-starved on a routine basis, no talking was allowed, and anyone who caused a disturbance was horribly beaten or shot to death. It is estimated that 10,000 people went through Montluc Prison during WW2, and almost all of them died (a few were executed and the vast majority were shipped to concentration camps for extermination). Yet remarkably, two men actually escaped this hell-hole ... DeVigny and his fellow cell mate Gimenez. It is amazing that they pulled this off. I found this story to be gripping - it's hard to put the book down. What impressed me the most about DeVigny was his extraordinary ability to maintain his dignity and a positive mental attitude ... even under terrible circumstances when other men were crumbling psychologically. The people of France can be justifiably proud of DeVigny - indeed he was a hero for many years after the war. His story is not only an uplifting tale for all patriots who fought in Europe ... it is a beacon of hope for all prisoners who are detained by cruel tyrants. I was very impressed by DeVigny's candor and honesty about the moral complexity of some of his actions. For example, he participated in the killing of an Italian secret agent before he was caught by the Gestapo. This agent was providing important information to the Germans, and the French Resistance had decided to take him out. DeVigny did that operation, but still had lingering moral regrets about the murder. He is quite open about these misgivings in the book. All in all ... an outstanding book. A story of one of the greatest escapes of all time - an amazing adventure. This book should be widely read, yet I suspect that even in France that many young people forget what men like DeVigny really accomplished. The writing style of the book is excellent, and the story is compelling. There is only one small thing that is missing from this great story. The book needed a final chapter that described what happened to some of the characters in the story. What events befell DeVigny's cell-mate (Gimenez) who was unfortunately re-captured by the Gestapo? Was he tortured and shot - sadly it seems likely. What happened to the other prisoners who dwelled in the same prison block as DeVigny - were they also shot after his escape? And what became of the brave doctor who offered sanctuary to DeVigny when he was on the run - was this doctor killed by the Gestapo? The book does no

This is a great book, well written with nothing lost in the translation. The story grips you, even though Devigny knew in the beginning what his fate probably would be. I liked his description of the prison - you can almost smell the place. He doesn't dwell too much on the depressing aspects of the prison but rather the spirit of his comrades. He acknowledges the luck involved in his escape while leaving the reader plenty to admire with his typical French daring and panache. Devigny writes some of his experience in an ambiguous manner but it is for the best - in a situation like that, you understand, ambiguity is a fact of daily life. While reading this story you'll find your heart beating faster and almost too loud. And you'll sympathize for those who are worthy of success but fail through no fault of their own. I read this book wanting to understand a bit more of how differently those in the underground were treated than the normal POW's and this was a masterpiece. The fact that in the final chapter Devigny wins perhaps his greatest battle leaves the reader a better person for having read the book.