‘TRULY inspiring’: Adam Hart, a 25-year-old writer and historian from Narberth, has penned his first book after tracing his Welsh great-grandfather’s epic escape during World War II.

Novelist Andy McNab describes the book, Operation Pimento, as a “Wartime classic”, adding “Adam follows in the footsteps of his great-grandfather and discovers the incredible bravery of those who risked their lives to help Frank escape. Truly inspiring.”

Frank Griffiths was helped to escape from Nazi-occupied Europe after he was shot down dropping supplies to the French Resistance in 1943.

“I retraced his escape in 2022, meeting descendants of people who saved him, and both our stories are told in my book,” says Adam, who is from just outside Narberth and attended Tavernspite Primary School.

“Part of my journey retracing my great-grandfather’s escape from Europe in the war involved hiking over the Pyrenees to Spain in his footsteps,” he told the Tenby Observer.

“I was 22 and had just completed the Tenby Ironman- I thought I could easily keep up- I was wrong! Frank hiked 80 miles in three nights but it took me four full days.

“I couldn’t match his pace, although I didn’t have the Nazis snapping ay my heels.”

Pembrokeshire author Adam Hart has written for The Times and Telegraph, appeared on the Antiques Roadshow and ITV Evening News and has spoken on Radio 4 and Times Radio. Operation Pimento is his first book.
Pembrokeshire author Adam Hart has written for The Times and Telegraph, appeared on the Antiques Roadshow and ITV Evening News and has spoken on Radio 4 and Times Radio. Operation Pimento is his first book. (Adam Hart)

Anthony Horowitz says “Adam Hart is a writer to watch out for” and calls Operation Pimento “an affectionate and often audacious tale of an unsung WW2 hero.”

On August 14, 1943, Squadron Leader Frank Griffiths set off on a secret mission to deliver supplies to members of the French Resistance living in occupied France. A few hours later, his plane had crashed into a village near Annecy, killing all six of his crew and five civilians. Only Frank survived.

What happened next was extraordinary: Frank embarked on an epic 1,400-mile, 108-day escape from the Nazis. Assisted by ordinary people - children, villagers, farmers, rebels and soldiers - he managed to make his way to safety in Gibraltar, via a Frenchwoman’s chimney, the attic over a brothel and a Spanish prison cell, all in addition to the arduous trek over the Pyrenees.

But Frank’s story does not end there. 79 years later, while training to be a journalist at Cardiff University, his great-grandson Adam won a travel bursary to recreate this journey step by step, breathing new life into Frank’s heroic tale and keeping his great-grandfather’s memory alive.

Frank before the war
Frank before the war (Family archive)

“This moving family history pays fitting tribute to the courage and resilience of the Special Duties Squadrons’ crews, and the heroism of the French resisters serving alongside them,” writes Clare Mulley, Women’s Prize-longlisted author of ‘Agent Zo’.

Described by Alice Loxton as “a thrilling tale of courage, bravery and survival, brought to life by Hart’s gripping narrative and fascinating personal connection,” Operation Pimento is a riveting tale of danger, bravery and legacy - as told by the voice of a new generation.

“My generation is the first to have grown up not hearing our ancestors' Second World War stories first hand,” Adam adds. “So now is more important than ever to tell that generation's incredible stories and remember their sacrifices and bravery.

“The lads on Frank’s aircraft who were killed had an average age of 23, two years younger than I am now. They gave their lives for the peace and freedom my generation enjoys today and I hope this book ensures they are not forgotten.”

Released in hardback, ebook and audio formats on June 5, Operation Pimento: My Great Grandfather’s Great Escape is published by Hodder and Stoughton and is priced at £22. For more information, visit www.adamhart.org .