Local Woman’s Brother Hides From Gestapo In France (c. Nov 1945)
Item
Title
Local Woman’s Brother Hides From Gestapo In France (c. Nov 1945)
Description
Local Woman’s Brother Hides From Gestapo In France
Pilot Officer John Morris, brother of Mrs. Frank J. Rudynski, 310 W. Belleview avenue, had a thrilling experience while he hid in Paris from the Gestapo, after being shot down over France last July. A Lodi paper tells the story: “Galt, Ont., looked good to PIlot Officer John Morris as he arrived at the home of his wife’s parents last night after harrowing experiences while he hid in Paris from the Gestapo after being shot down over France last July.
It is 17 months since the young air gunner left Galt. During two months of that time he was under the protection of the underground movement in Paris before the Americans entered the city. More than once he had to abandon his hideout and flee through the maze of sewers to find a new abode.
Returning to Canada over the weekend he was greeted in Toronto by his wife. Asked by The Reporter this morning to relate some of his experiences, PO Morris was reluctant to talk. He said he had already told all he could to R.C.A.F. at Ottawa.
He was surprised, and rather embarrassed to be shown a Canadian Press release of his story. Although admitting that all that was told was true, he seemed inclined to think that too much had been disclosed.
Escaped Via Sewers
The Canadian Press story reads: OTTAWA, Nov. 23, (CP) - PO. John Morris of Galt, under the protection of the underground movement in Paris for two months before the Americans entered the city, more than once had to abandon his hideout, and flee through the maze of sewers to find a new abode.
Morris, on his 15th operational trip as an air gunner, was shot down over France last July, and since has returned to Canada. He travelled more than five miles of the sewers of Paris after having heard through the underground that the Gestapo was on his trail, and that he would have to move.
When United States troops entered Paris Morris walked in to a headquarters, and asked how he could return to Britain. A routine checkup was made, and he soon was back with his squadron.
His most nerve-racking experience arose during the four days he was hidden in a Paris rooming-house. Gestapo agents and Nazi troops were in and out of the dwelling at all hours of the day and night, and Morris knew that just the turning of a door knob would result in his discovery.
“I lost 15 pounds during the two months, but it wasn’t because of the food” he said. “It was because I had to sit there and sweat it out. And I’ll tell you, at times I really did sweat.”
It wasn’t easy to talk past Gestapo headquarters, in front of which crack members stood guard with machine guns, but Morris did it, “and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared,” he said.
Morris was aboard a Lancaster when shot down. Of his last flight he said: “I didn't’ mind when the port engine was shot out. I didn’t mind when the floor was shot out. But when they shoot off your flying boot it’s time to get out.”
A bruised foot was his only injury. Morris is home for a 30-day leave. He said today that he wants to get “back into it,” after that.
Pilot Officer John Morris, brother of Mrs. Frank J. Rudynski, 310 W. Belleview avenue, had a thrilling experience while he hid in Paris from the Gestapo, after being shot down over France last July. A Lodi paper tells the story: “Galt, Ont., looked good to PIlot Officer John Morris as he arrived at the home of his wife’s parents last night after harrowing experiences while he hid in Paris from the Gestapo after being shot down over France last July.
It is 17 months since the young air gunner left Galt. During two months of that time he was under the protection of the underground movement in Paris before the Americans entered the city. More than once he had to abandon his hideout and flee through the maze of sewers to find a new abode.
Returning to Canada over the weekend he was greeted in Toronto by his wife. Asked by The Reporter this morning to relate some of his experiences, PO Morris was reluctant to talk. He said he had already told all he could to R.C.A.F. at Ottawa.
He was surprised, and rather embarrassed to be shown a Canadian Press release of his story. Although admitting that all that was told was true, he seemed inclined to think that too much had been disclosed.
Escaped Via Sewers
The Canadian Press story reads: OTTAWA, Nov. 23, (CP) - PO. John Morris of Galt, under the protection of the underground movement in Paris for two months before the Americans entered the city, more than once had to abandon his hideout, and flee through the maze of sewers to find a new abode.
Morris, on his 15th operational trip as an air gunner, was shot down over France last July, and since has returned to Canada. He travelled more than five miles of the sewers of Paris after having heard through the underground that the Gestapo was on his trail, and that he would have to move.
When United States troops entered Paris Morris walked in to a headquarters, and asked how he could return to Britain. A routine checkup was made, and he soon was back with his squadron.
His most nerve-racking experience arose during the four days he was hidden in a Paris rooming-house. Gestapo agents and Nazi troops were in and out of the dwelling at all hours of the day and night, and Morris knew that just the turning of a door knob would result in his discovery.
“I lost 15 pounds during the two months, but it wasn’t because of the food” he said. “It was because I had to sit there and sweat it out. And I’ll tell you, at times I really did sweat.”
It wasn’t easy to talk past Gestapo headquarters, in front of which crack members stood guard with machine guns, but Morris did it, “and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared,” he said.
Morris was aboard a Lancaster when shot down. Of his last flight he said: “I didn't’ mind when the port engine was shot out. I didn’t mind when the floor was shot out. But when they shoot off your flying boot it’s time to get out.”
A bruised foot was his only injury. Morris is home for a 30-day leave. He said today that he wants to get “back into it,” after that.
Date
Identifier
022.010.027