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Today on the YouTube channel, I’m continuing a series of videos about different interesting topics from the Basque Country’s history.
This video focuses on the Comet Line, one of the escape routes through Europe during World War II that allowed Allied forces stuck behind enemy lines to get to safety. The Comet Line went from Belgium, through France, and down into Spain. The Basque Country was the chosen route to cross over the French/Spanish border, and many Basque smugglers were involved in helping hundreds of Allied servicemen.
Learn more about the Comet Line in today’s video.
I wanted there to be a resource on YouTube for anyone searching about Basque culture to learn more about it, so I hope this video is helpful and interesting.
Be sure to Subscribe to the Hella Basque YouTube channel to catch the next videos in the series. New videos posted every Thursday!
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CONTINUE READING:
- Interview with a Basque Immigrant: Our Favorite Aita
- 5 Facts About Euskara, the Basque Language
- Everything You Need to Know About the Basque Flag
Greetings from Canada Anne-Marie! Loved the video about the Comet Line. If you want to read more about this topic, might I recommend a book called Cruel Crossing; Escaping Hitler Across the Pyrennees by Edward Stourton.
My family has a connection to this topic. My father is from Amaiur in the Baztan Valley and like most farmers in the region, they participated in “night commerce” across the border. My father remembers hearing stories that the smugglers would go to a particular bar on the French side and talk to the female owner to arrange the crossing for Allied airmen. Of course they all spoke in Basque so the French and Germans would not understand what was being talked about.
My father was too young to participate but my Uncle Manuel was old enough and helped bring airmen across. One American airman remembered my Uncle’s help and through the Rotary Club, was able to track my Uncle down and present him with an award. Sadly I didn’t find out about this until years after my Uncle had passed.
Good to see another Comet Line resource!
We’re the “Friends of the Comet Line” – an association based in Anglet.
Take a look at our blog – in normal non-Covid times, we run an annual march over the mountains over the same routes as used by the Comet guides and evading aviators..
Best wishes