JAMES HUTCHISON DSO

James Hutchison DSO: British SOE agent who had spent so much time in Occupied France that after his leave back in England he had to undergo surgery to alter his face so that he would not be recognised by Nazi Gestapo or collaborators who had photos of his original identity/features. Back in France as Colonel Hastings in 1944 to help coordinate Maquis preparations for the D-Day Landings he took part in many daring and bloody episodes organising and liaising with the various French Resistance movements right through to April 1945. Such was his notoriety and the admiration of those he led he acquired the sobriquet, "Scarlet Pimpernel of the Maquis"! An amazingly courageous and selfless man who narrates his participation without any hyperbole and in fact down-plays his valour so much he could have been the origin of characteristic British understatement!… (mehr)