The Failed Escape and Its Consequences

Promise at Dawn

This thread traces the narrator’s successive attempts to reach England, and the improvised choices that turn a blocked escape into a dangerous journey.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Den-55 Attempt The Den-55 Attempt from "Promise at Dawn". The Den-55 Attempt A plan to fly out The narrator and three fellow sergeants prepare to take a new aircraft to England.

The Den-55 Attempt from "Promise at Dawn". The Den-55 Attempt A plan to fly out The narrator and three fellow sergeants prepare to take a new aircraft to England.

The Den-55 Attempt A plan to fly out The narrator and three fellow sergeants prepare to take a new aircraft to England. None has properly flown the type, but the urgency of the moment outweighs the risk. Disaster on takeoff A telephone call for the narrator delays his boarding. The aircraft crashes during its trial circuit, killing his companions and leaving him to search for another route.

Searching the Airfield Searching the Airfield from "Promise at Dawn". Searching the Airfield A route denied The narrator tries to persuade crews to take him to England.

Searching the Airfield from "Promise at Dawn". Searching the Airfield A route denied The narrator tries to persuade crews to take him to England.

Searching the Airfield A route denied The narrator tries to persuade crews to take him to England. Many refuse, and some punish him for urging continued resistance. A new companion Annick, a friend of a fallen comrade, asks to join the escape. He recognizes her determination but cannot find a safe way to take her with him.

The Simoun Attempt The Simoun Attempt from "Promise at Dawn". The Simoun Attempt A stolen chance The narrator boards a Simoun aircraft hoping to escape toward Gibraltar.

The Simoun Attempt from "Promise at Dawn". The Simoun Attempt A stolen chance The narrator boards a Simoun aircraft hoping to escape toward Gibraltar.

The Simoun Attempt A stolen chance The narrator boards a Simoun aircraft hoping to escape toward Gibraltar. His lack of experience with the model and the security patrols defeat the attempt. Flight on foot He escapes the airfield without being arrested and begins to hide in the city. The failure leaves him a fugitive but also a committed rebel.

The Oakrest Passage The Oakrest Passage from "Promise at Dawn". The Oakrest Passage An unexpected contact In Casablanca, the narrator and two other airmen encounter a Polish corporal who knows about a ship leaving with…

The Oakrest Passage from "Promise at Dawn". The Oakrest Passage An unexpected contact In Casablanca, the narrator and two other airmen encounter a Polish corporal who knows about a ship leaving with…

The Oakrest Passage An unexpected contact In Casablanca, the narrator and two other airmen encounter a Polish corporal who knows about a ship leaving with troops. The information arrives when their prospects are nearly exhausted. Boarding in disguise They use borrowed Polish clothing and the narrator’s language skills to pass the harbor guards. The Oakrest gives them a route to Gibraltar and a chance to continue the fight.

Swimming to the Tricolor Swimming to the Tricolor from "Promise at Dawn". Swimming to the Tricolor Anger at the Allies News of the attack on the French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir fills the narrator with rage.

Swimming to the Tricolor from "Promise at Dawn". Swimming to the Tricolor Anger at the Allies News of the attack on the French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir fills the narrator with rage.

Swimming to the Tricolor Anger at the Allies News of the attack on the French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir fills the narrator with rage. He strips off his clothes and swims toward a French destroyer rather than remain aboard a British ship. The mission continues He abandons the thought of revenge and accepts passage toward England. His loyalty is complicated by anger but not ended by it.

June 1940 at Bordeaux-Mérignac

June 1940, after the crash

After arriving in Meknès

After hiding in Casablanca

At Gibraltar, after the attack on the French fleet