Dutch law school graduate Philip Winckel manages to escape Nazi-occupied Holland in February 1944. Germany still had the Country in its deadly grip, its long coastline included. Joined by a radio engineer plus three geology students, Philip miraculously slips through the enemy’s Atlantic Wall fortifications by sailing away in a small, repurposed fishing vessel. Powered by a Chevy truck engine, the five men crossed the perilous North Sea to reach England. Many had tried before but failed, resulting in their imprisonment and execution. The odds of their success were comparable to Russian Roulette albeit with just one empty chamber. Theirs was the only successful Dutch ocean crossing in 1944. They had much help. Over 100 individuals risked everything to assist them. In London, the five men put themselves in the service of HM Queen Wilhelmina by joining the Allied cause through the RAF, the Princess Irene Brigade and the Netherlands East Indies Army. For some the end goal was to free family members from the brutal Japanese prisoner camps. When the liberation of the East Indies was achieved, the Dutch colony erupted in total chaos, barreling towards its independence. Philip provides a chilling eyewitness account after taking part in a massive POW repatriation effort. It did, however, result in a deeply personal outcome. Meticulously researched, Borre’s engrossing story takes its readers from occupied Holland to a free England, and finally to Indonesia, the former Netherlands East Indies. Against all odds, after frequent mishaps and countless dangers, the book’s protagonists finally triumph. The Mighty 8th Air Force and the RAF Air Sea Rescue Service played significant roles in this outcome. This is a true tale of luck, adversity, and perseverance. The reader will be challenged by the thought, “What would I have done?” Uniquely, this rescue was filmed! Search for “RAF Rescue of Engelandvaarders.” Post by David Alabi; 16 Jan 2026. Following is an official Online Book Club. org review of "Take Men on Board!" by Borre Winckel. 5 out of 5 stars. Take Men on Board! The Dutch WW2 Escapes to England by Borre Winckel is the true account of five young Dutch men under German occupation in World War Two who do not want to endure a life of fear and waiting. Forced into hiding as the universities are closed and more of them are arrested, they dream of reaching England, which they see as a country of freedom. The book is about their planning, their risky preparation, and how they risk their lives in an attempt to get out of a highly controlled state. The book emphasizes the importance of working as a team, having trust, and being courageous because the men are dependent on each other and those who assisted them in the resistance. The author also contextualizes their mission in the overall happenings of the war, such as the collapse of the Netherlands, the role of the Dutch government in exile, and the struggle of the Allies in general. In addition to the actual escape, the book touches on loyalty, duty, and identity; the men's attachment to the Dutch East Indies; and the need to serve a cause greater than themselves. It gives me the realization that regular students and citizens can be driven by history and make an extraordinary decision despite the end result not known and the price may be their lives. The book is a fun read, because it fills the historical account in a way that is easy to relate to. I also enjoyed the fact that the author was attentive to thoughts, fears and hopes of the men, and not just on dates and events. The book is able to pass the main message across effectively due to its rich details, which depict the men's situation and the intricacy of the war surrounding them. The pace is uniform throughout the texts, and the tension is generated through the dangers that the men are exposed to. The men's escape exudes doubt, failure, and persistence which lasted for a long time, giving me engaging reading experience. This makes the escape in the book being portrayed as both a process and adventure. It is a professionally edited and meaningful book that demonstrates courage without exaggeration and history without losing a human soul. Nothing in the book I would dislike; I like the formatting of the writings. I will rate the book 5 out of 5 stars as such. It is a book that would be appropriate to older teenagers and even adults with an interest in history or even World War II or a book about the true story of a world adventure. AUDIO BOOK REVIEWER BEST NEW AUTHOR 2025 - 5 Stars Review by Charla White of "Take Men on Board! The Dutch WW2 Escapes to England." By Borre Winckel Compelling and Chilling! Dutch law school graduate Philip Winckel escapes Nazi-occupied Holland in February 1944, slipping past Germany's fortified Atlantic Wall with a radio engineer and three geology students aboard a small, repurposed fishing vessel. Against overwhelming odds—where many before them had been imprisoned or executed—t