Girl and the Bombardier

Susan Tate Ankeny held a career in teaching before returning to her first love, writing. She is a member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society, the Oregon 8th Air Force Historical Society, the Air Forces Escape and Evasion Society, and the Association des Sauveteurs d’Aviateurs Alliés. Having spent the majority of her life living in Portland, Oregon, she and her husband recently moved to Camas, Washington. They have a son and a daughter.

"Through archival documentation, [Ankeny] paces the story with considerable literary skill, stringing moments of tension throughout. This is a thrilling and masterful telling of brave Resistance members risking all, and a wonderful homage to the author's equally courageous father."—Booklist"The Girl and the Bombardier is a heart-pounding true story and great read. If any reader wants to revisit the heroism, bravery, and inspiring courage of the 'Greatest Generation,' this is the book for you. It captures the sights, sounds, unrelenting tensions and terror of everyday life in Nazi-occupied Europe. The nerves of steel of the downed American fliers, and the girls, boys, men, and women among the Resistance fighters helping them survive behind enemy lines will linger in your memory long after the last page. These are real people and unforgettable heroes you will want to know and remember."—James Longo, author of Hitler and the Habsburgs“It was no secret that the chances of surviving a full twenty-five mission tour as a B-17 bombardier were minimal, and on February 8, 1944, Dean Tate’s luck ran out when his Flying Fortress was shot down in flames over northern France. But that wasn’t the end—Tate was one of four men from his aircraft who not only survived but were saved by the French resistance from capture. Tate spent thirty-seven days being sheltered in enemy-occupied France, passed from person to person until he was finally brought back to England by the escape line later known as Shelburn. What makes this book special is that Tate not only kept in touch with his helpers long after the war ended, but also wrote a personal and highly detailed account of his experiences, and it is that account, together with several years of research, that Tate’s daughter has used to such great effect in producing this highly readable true story.” —Keith Janes, author of They Came from Burgundy and Express Delivery“This epic and captivating book recalls the courageous actions of people of the French Resistance who, in these terrible times, braved every risk and did all they could to allow Lieutenant Dean W. Tate, and so many other liberators fallen from the sky, to join freedom. The Girl and the Bombardier makes it impossible to forget those who united fraternally in fighting oppression and totalitarianism. This beautiful story contributes to the duty of memory and must be passed on to the next generations.” —Dominique Lecomte, President of the Association des Sauveteurs d'Aviateurs Alliés-Oise“In this poignant and unique debut history, Ankeny combines her father’s WWII experiences with the impressions of a young Belgian woman who helped rescue him from Nazi-occupied France. . . . Ankeny fluidly intertwines both sides of the story, and provides necessary historical context. The result is an intimate and inspirational account of ordinary people committing heroic acts under extraordinary circumstances.”—Publishers Weekly