The Catalan Contribution to the Chemin/Pat O’Leary Lines and the work of MI9

Many visitors to this site will probably be aware of the major role played by the Comete line in returning Allied evaders/escapers to the UK.  What may not be so well known is the significant part played by Catalans in other routes used.  These people were usually either smugglers who knew both sides of the Pyrenees well or Republicans who escaped from Franco’s Spain at the end of the Spanish Civil War.  Many of the escapers they helped ended up at the British Consulate in Barcelona before being moved onto Gibralter and finally the UK.  For a short introduction to some of those involved and their roles have a look at this link