Facing Fearful Odds

On 22 May 1940 Alec Jay arrived in Calais with his Battalion, the Queen Victoria Rifles. After four days of intense fighting, he was taken prisoner of war along with those of his colleagues who were not killed. The Calais Garrison was not evacuated. His situation as a POW was exceptionally perilous as he was a Jew. Made to wear distinctive clothing, he was all too aware of the Nazis determination to eradicate his race. Undeterred he made five escape attempts as well as leading a successful protest strike, one of the few during the War.

When he finally escaped, he teamed up with Czech partisans and fought alongside them during the closing stages of the War.

John Jay, a distinguished journalist and financier, has reconstructed his father's war using the archive material from four countries and numerous other sources and POW accounts. The result is a fascinating and inspiring story.

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Some books that may interest you

Operation Bluecoat By: Ian Daglish	Victory in Italy By: Richard Doherty	Missing: The Need for Closure after the Great War By: Richard van Emden
Out of the Italian Night By: Maurice G Lihou	Courcelette By: Paul Reed	Strike Hard, Strike Sure By: Ralph Barker
British Army of the Rhine By: Paul Chrystal	The Afrika Korps in Combat By: Bob Carruthers	Roman Conquests: Gaul By: Michael Sage