Author Description

This book tells the true story of the Bartter Crew, seven young men from Britain, Canada and Argentina who joined the fight against Nazi Germany. In August 1943 they were assigned to 138 Special Duties Squadron based in Tempsford, near Bedford. Flying low over Europe, skimming treetops ensuring Resistance groups were not forgotten. This is their story of SOE and BCRA operations, featuring spies, operations that were secret for decades from what was often called the most secret airfield in England. France, Yugoslavia and Denmark were covered in just a few months. During an operation, in December 1943, they were shot down over Denmark. The story continues with evasion for some, capture for others. The story comes up to date, Nigel Atkins, the son of the bomb aimer and second pilot, Brian Atkins, has travelled to multiple locations, interviewed people including one of the last surviving members of the Vercors Maquis, who recalled the crew's operation to the Vercors. Nigel is now firm friends with the son of one of the agents the crew dropped. It is fortunate that one of the crew recorded an interview with the Imperial War Museum. Another crew member wrote about some of his experiences and a former WAAF at Tempsford shared her experiences with us. National Archive files have been researched by Jan Christensen to offer a clear picture of the crews operations. It is hoped that this book will illuminate the human angle of these unsung heroes.