GROUNDED IN EIRE: THE STORY OF TWO RAF FLIERS INTERNED IN IRELAND DURING WORLD WAR II. by Keefer, Ralph - 2001

Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 2001. 263 pp, large 8vo (9 1/4" H). B&w photographs, drawings, maps. "Off-course after a failed mission over Frankfurt in 1941, Bobby Keefer and his best friend Jack Calder found themselves forced to bail out of their twin-engine Wellington over Southern Ireland. Much to their surprise, rather than being returned to their squadron in England, they were interned for having violated Ireland's neutral airspace. After an unusual interrogation at the hands of the Local Defence Force, the two Canadian flyers were transferred to a makeshift prison camp in County Kidare - right next to a similar camp for German prisoners. There they found themselves subject to a surreal honour system that allowed them daily parole away from their internment camp - free to golf, meet women, and drink beer - without supervision. This system forbid escape when they were on parole but bound them, as RAF officers, to attempt to do so upon their return to camp." Minor wrinkling at top of spine, large Christmas gift inscription on free front end paper. Dust jacket has light wrinkling at top of spine and flap-folds, minor rubbing.. Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good+.