Escape I Must: World War II Prisoner of War in Germany

by H.E. Gann

SIGNED with note on inside cover page. Hardcover, One corner lightly bumped, DJ perfect save slight wrinkle at back bottom of spine. Author served in the Armed Air Force 1942-1945. He was the only survivor when his B-24 bomber was shot down over Italy, thus a Prisoner of War in Germany, escaped and recaptured three times.

173 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Jason Waltz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific memoir. Well-worth reading for any buff of WWII, US Army Air Force, POWs, or survival. Easy, conversational storytelling.

[Alfredo Cortez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found Mr. Gann very charming in speaking to him and his wife at a recent traders show in Fredericksburg, Texas. The book itself was equally as rewarding in discovering the nature of the men who served during WWII and the survival mode that any individual must endure to live into a better day or life.

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because it was written by a retired Austin Police Officer. He talks a bit about growing up in Austin previous to WWII. It was a good easy read.

[Dian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book from the author while at a trade show. I could barely speak to him without crying knowing what this man went through in World War II. It’s the first time I ever stood in front of a real live hero.

Reading the book, I was amazed at his fight for freedom. This book will make you realize the blessing of being a free person.

[Lyle.Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Great Great Uncle was the Ass. Engineer on the plane Mr.Gann was on when he was shot down

[carl theaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visiting a small town antique-artsy-craftsy and assorted stuff fair
I found nestled among the various treasures a fellow wearing
a 449th Bomb Group cap with his wife selling a book about his
adventures after his B-24 was shot down. So after chatting awhile,
I had to buy it.

"Escape I Must!" is told in a matter-of-fact style by author
Harvey Ganz of his adventures as a POW in Germany. Ganz starts
giving you an idea of life in small town Central Texas near Austin
and moves right into joining the Air Corps and off to Italy only
to pay Germany a longer visit on his 14th mission.

At his relatives urging, and lucky for us, Ganz has put
down on paper the stories he's been telling since the war.
Initially I found the story telling a little, well ordinary,
if indeed I did appreciate the history of it. But when he
tells of first escape, I was reading it like a thriller.

Coincidentally I recently saw on a Classic Movie Channel
a WW2 US Army Air Corps training film, 'Resisting Enemy Interrogation'.
It used Hollywood actors showing the tricks of German
interrogators. In one method a German officer tells his story
to a POW of how he was happily living in the US, was visiting
hometown in Germany but the war broke out and he couldn't leave
and he had to end up working as a reluctant interrogator, thus
getting the sympathy and trust of the POW. Ganz tells this same
story of what happened to him about word for word!

Ganz also tells a bit about postwar life, which was
extra interesting for me as we live in the same area of Texas.

Also, I have a 3rd printing, which has enabled him to
add a few more chapters since the first. This includes
an interesting tale of an Italian archaeologist who in 2010
found Ganz' B-24 buried in a river sand bar and his attempts
to find out what happened to the crew. After all these years
mysteries about the war are still being solved and things are
still being put to rest.

I hope I see Harvey again one day. I'm going to tell him
his book was a Good Read!

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very blessed to be in Fredericksburg Texas September 19, 2014 and meet Harvey E. Gann and his wife. I spoke shortly with Mr. Gann and his wife and purchased an Autographed copy of his book.
I have completed reading his book and being a Marine Corps Veteran and Retired Fort Worth Texas Police Officer I can honestly say that Harvey E. Gann is truly an American Hero. I thank God I was able to shake his hand. Excellent book. God Bless you Sir and thank you for your service.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. So wonderful to get these stories before everyone from WW II is dead.

If you can go to Trade Days in Fredericksburg, TX, this sweet gentleman will autograph his book for you. He's in Barn 6.

[Suzi Luger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book about a POW in Germany during WWII!! Recommend to people who love to read books on history or war. It was an easy read of difficult material.

[The Farmer's Wife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buy it. Read it. Pass it on to the next generation. Do not let these stories die of one of America's shining hours...