ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Shelburne Escape Line

The Shelburne Escape Line is like a secret clubhouse for people who want to get away from bad guys. During World War II, Allied soldiers, sailors, and airmen who were shot down or stranded behind enemy lines needed a way to escape and get back to their own countries. So, the Shelburne line was set up to help them.

The "line" was a network of people who worked together to hide, feed, and transport escapees to safe places where they could get help. These helpers were called "helpers" or "angels," and they risked their own lives to save others. They provided safe homes, food, and transportation to the escapees, and made sure they didn't get caught by the bad guys.

The route of the Shelburne Escape Line ran from the south coast of England, across the English Channel, to Brittany in France, and then on to Spain, Portugal, or Gibraltar, depending on where the escapees wanted to go. The trip was dangerous, and escapees had to avoid German soldiers, spies, and informants along the way.

The escapees would be given special clothes to wear and fake ID documents to help them blend in with the locals. They would also be taught how to speak French and how to behave like a French person to avoid suspicion from the Germans. Sometimes they would travel by boat, train, or car, and sometimes they would have to walk for miles across the countryside.

The Shelburne Escape Line was successful in helping hundreds of escapees get back to their own countries. But it wasn't without risks. The helpers and the escapees could be caught by the Germans, and sometimes they were tortured or killed. However, the bravery and determination of the people involved in the Shelburne Escape Line saved many lives and is remembered today as a shining example of human courage and resourcefulness.