Adam Hart retraced the treacherous World War Two escape route his great-grandfather, Squadron Leader Frank Griffiths, took across Europe after surviving the downing of his RAF bomber in 1943.
Griffiths had escaped from Italian-occupied France over the Pyrenees into Switzerland, later making his way back to Britain. During his escape, Griffiths faced serious injuries and relied on the French Resistance for aid.
Eighty years later, Hart and his uncle followed Griffiths' journey, spanning 128km over mountains and through dangerous territories, gaining a deeper appreciation for the endurance and risks Griffiths faced.
They visited families who helped Griffiths and were moved by the connections and stories shared, including the retrieval of a treasured French-English dictionary Griffiths once gifted to a young French boy.
Griffiths, who had been flung from his exploding plane and survived thanks to a teenage boy and the Resistance, had to navigate harsh conditions and evade capture while injured. Despite challenges, including interactions with the Gestapo and a circuitous escape route, he successfully reached safety.
The experience brought Hart closer to understanding his great-grandfather's ordeal and highlighted the lasting impact of wartime solidarity. Griffiths returned to his family and continued serving as a test pilot until the 1970s, passing away in 1996.