So close to freedom : a World War II story of peril and betrayal in the Pyrenees / Jean-Luc E. Cartron ; foreword by Roger Stanton.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 199-200) and index.

A perilous hide-and-seek -- For King and country -- The route past Luchon -- On the run -- Too many -- April attempt -- Hero or villain? -- Aftermath of a betrayal -- Maddy De Deken -- The woodcutter -- Escapes and hardships -- The road blockade -- Separate fates -- Appendix 1: Allied evaders, escapers, resistance fighters, and Engelandvaarders who attempted to cross the Pyrenees into Spain, April 19-22, 1944 -- Appendix 2: The escape line organizations -- Appendix 3: Known prisoners who escaped from the train bound for Neuengamme, June 5, 1944 -- Appendix 4: The arrest and deportation of Jacqueline Houry -- Appendix 5: Evaders and escapers helped by "Fran�coise" Organization in 1944 in Toulouse and surrounding area -- Timeline of key events, 1944.

"Drawing on government and private World War II archives, Cartron gives the first detailed account of the only failed mission of the smuggler Charbonnier--when 29 Allied soldiers in a group of 35 were captured on their way to freedom over the French Pyrenees." --Provided by publisher.