Memorial Royal Air Forces Escaping Society

The original plaque was designed and created by Elizabeth Harrison, secretary of RAFES and shows an aviator who is moved by the pilot helpers.

Text on the plaque:
"On the 21st June, 1981, this plaque was dedicated to the countless brave men and women of enemy occupied countries who, during WWII (1939-1945), without thought of danger to themselves, helped 2803 aircrew of the Royal Air Force and Commonwealth air forces to escape and return to their country and so continue the struggle for freedom.
Many paid with their lives, many more endured the degradation of concentration camps. Their names are remembered in equal honour with those who were spared to fight a longer battle.
To mark its debt of gratitude, the Royal Air Forces Escaping Society erected this memorial as a lasting tribute and also to serve as an inspiration to future generations."

The two pictures are from the replica-plaque in the Liberty Park Overloon.
In picture 2 is an explanatory text of this replica-plaque at the Liberty Park to read:
This plaque, of which the original made one hangs in the Crypt of the Central Church of the RAF, St Clement Danes in London, was made by Mrs. Elizabeth Lucas Harrison and will be in recognition get a place in the permanent exhibition of the National War and Resistance Museum Overloon.
Prince Bernard has on September 27th 1989 unveiled this plaque in memory of the pilot helpers who gave their lives during their dangerous work, the plaque is also to honour those who did the humanitarian work and have survived.

The other replicas plaques hang in:
RAF Museum Hendon.
War Museum in Ottawa, Canada &
Canberra, Australia.
Musée de l'Armée in the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris.

On this website you can read more about the pilot helpers
(Comet line)

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Source

• Text: Mia van den Berg
• Photos: TracesOfWar.com