[Alex Smart]

To round out, Bell evader - returned to his unit in December 44.
Thanks to help from the partisans and Royal Navy.
Namely HMS Colombo and HMS Brocklesby (22nd Nov 44 for Ancona, Italy).

Details from Escape & Evasion report dated ( IIRC) 24th Nov 44.

"On 14th Oct 44 landed approximately 15/20 miles N E of Zagreb (45deg 52min N)(16deg 01min E).
After landing walked in a southerly direction till nightfall and slept in woods.
On 15th Oct 44 met friendly Yugoslav farmer who called the Partisians.They took Bell to Cetingrad, spent night at Partisian HQ.
The following morning taken by motor vehicle to Topusko.
On 17th Oct 44 hitch-hiked to a British Mission.
On 18th Oct due to overcrowding he was again moved to a Yugoslav family on the outskirts of the town.
Where he stayed untill
19th Nov 44 when along with many others including British, French and US "troops" was taken by truck to small American Mission where they slept. Planes were supposed to pick them up but bad weather put a stop to that.
Again Bell was moved by truck on the
20th Nov 44 to Obrovac 44 where Dalmatian's gave food and sleeping space.
On 21st Nov 44 left Obrovac for Zara. Ustaches had taken over the road so driver refused to return to Obrovac. Spent night on HMS Colombo.
22nd Nov 44 boarded HMS Brocklesby and sailed for Ancona, Italy".

Alex