Three Avenues of Escape: Elmore Hammes

Elmore Hammes was an American spy who worked for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II. He was responsible for helping to establish escape routes for downed Allied pilots and agents in Nazi-occupied France. Hammes' work was instrumental in the success of the OSS's mission in France, and he helped to save the lives of many Allied personnel.

Three Avenues of Escape

by Elmore Hammes

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	77 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	9 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Hammes was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1915. He attended the University of Missouri, where he studied journalism. After graduating from college, Hammes worked as a reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In 1941, he joined the OSS, which was the precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Hammes was assigned to the OSS's Special Operations Branch, which was responsible for conducting espionage and sabotage operations behind enemy lines.

In 1943, Hammes was sent to France to help establish escape routes for downed Allied pilots and agents. He worked with the French Resistance to set up a network of safe houses and escape routes. Hammes also helped to train Resistance fighters in espionage and sabotage techniques. Hammes' work was extremely dangerous, and he was constantly at risk of being captured or killed by the Gestapo.

Despite the danger, Hammes continued to work tirelessly to help Allied personnel escape from Nazi-occupied France. He established three main escape routes: the "Pyrenees Route," which ran through the Pyrenees Mountains into Spain; the "Swiss Route," which ran through Switzerland into neutral territory; and the "Brittany Route," which ran through Brittany to the coast of France. Hammes also helped to establish a number of smaller escape routes that were used by downed Allied pilots and agents.

Hammes' work was instrumental in the success of the OSS's mission in France. He helped to save the lives of many Allied personnel, and he played a key role in the Allied victory in Europe. After the war, Hammes returned to the United States and continued to work for the OSS until it was merged into the CIA in 1947.

The Pyrenees Route

The Pyrenees Route was the most popular escape route for downed Allied pilots and agents in Nazi-occupied France. The route ran through the Pyrenees Mountains into Spain, which was a neutral country. The journey was treacherous, and escapees had to cross rugged terrain and evade German patrols. However, the Pyrenees Route was also the most successful escape route, and thousands of Allied personnel were able to escape to safety using it.

Hammes played a key role in establishing the Pyrenees Route. He worked with the French Resistance to set up a network of safe houses and guides who helped escapees cross the Pyrenees Mountains. Hammes also helped to develop a plan for using the Pyrenees Route to evacuate large numbers of Allied personnel in the event of a German invasion of France.

The Swiss Route

The Swiss Route was another popular escape route for downed Allied pilots and agents in Nazi-occupied France. The route ran through Switzerland, which was a neutral country. The journey was less treacherous than the Pyrenees Route, but it was also more difficult to evade detection by German patrols.

Hammes played a key role in establishing the Swiss Route. He worked with the Swiss government to secure permission for Allied personnel to transit Switzerland. Hammes also helped to set up a network of safe houses and guides who helped escapees cross the Swiss border.

The Brittany Route

The Brittany Route was a less popular escape route for downed Allied pilots and agents in Nazi-occupied France. The route ran through Brittany to the coast of France. From there, escapees could cross the English Channel to England. The journey was dangerous, and escapees had to evade German coastal patrols.

Hammes played a key role in establishing the Brittany Route. He worked with the French Resistance to set up a network of safe houses and guides who helped escapees cross Brittany. Hammes also helped to develop a plan for using the Brittany Route to evacuate large numbers of Allied personnel in the event of a German invasion of France.

Hammes' Legacy

Elmore Hammes was a hero of World War II. He helped to save the lives of many Allied personnel, and he played a key role in the Allied victory in Europe. Hammes' work is a testament to the importance of espionage and sabotage in modern warfare.

Hammes' legacy lives on today. The escape routes that he established are still used by people who are fleeing persecution and violence. Hammes' work is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for escape.

Three Avenues of Escape

by Elmore Hammes

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	77 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	9 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE