On 8th April 1942, Flight Lieutenant Brooks was navigator/bomb aimer of a Wellington aircraft, detailed to attack Hamburg. Prior to reaching the target, the aircraft caught fire and had to be abandoned. Flight Lieutenant Brooks landed near Oldenburg. Despite an injury to his knee, he disposed of his parachute and attempted to evade capture. Eventually his injuries caused so much pain that he was compelled to seek assistance and in doing so, was handed over to the German authorities. He was taken to a prisoner of war camp at Lamsdork on 16th April 1942, and remained there till 10th May 1943. During this time, Flight Lieutenant Brooks made two unsuccessful attempts to escape and finally in May 1943, he succeeded in getting away to join Polish partisans with whom he remained until liberated by Russian forces in January 1945. The first escape entailed cutting the barbed wire on the hut window and also the wire of a double fence, brilliantly lighted and patrolled by guards. Flight Lieutenant Brooks and a companion succeeded in doing this and were travelling towards Gracow, moving by night and existing on food saved from Red Cross parcels, when they were recaptured owing to information given by pro-German Poles. After a long interrogation, Flight Lieutenant Brooks was placed in solitary confinement for fourteen days and, when this was over, had to go to hospital as his feet had been badly blistered. On 10th September 1942, Flight Lieutenant Brooks made his second bid for freedom, escaping this time with five other prisoners from the top story of a building despite the armed guard on the ground floor. He walked to Lunenburg and successfully concealed himself on a train to Vienna where he was again arrested. While en route to another prisoner of war camp, Flight Lieutenant Brooks was confined in a dug-out for eight days and was severely beaten by a German non-commissioned officer for trying to escape. On arrival at the camp, he was put in solitary confinement for fourteen days. Finally in November 1942, Flight Lieutenant Brooks was sent to work at a sawmill at Tost. While there he planned an escape but details became known to the Germans and he was warned that he would be shot if any attempt was made. Undeterred, this officer revised his plans. He made several useful contacts with Poles outside the camp and obtained civilian clothing and maps. On 10th May 1943, he and a sergeant cut through the window bars and escaped. They successfully evaded all efforts to capture them and reached Czectochowa where they remained hidden till January 1945. Throughout the whole period, Flight Lieutenant Brooks showed great determination. He was not dismayed, or deterred from attempting to escape by punishments or hardships and even when he knew he was a marked man, he continued to make further plans and efforts to escape.

BROOKS, P/O Hubert (J94368) - Mention in Despatches - No.419 Squadron - Award effective 1 January 1946 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 155/46 dated 15 February 1946. NOTE: On 27 April 1945 at St.Hubert he applied for operational wings. AFHQ examined the request and declined to grant them. The DHist card carried notation, "Has undoubtedly done commendable work in the line of duty but unfortunately he has insufficient number of air operations against the enemy." Clipping in file notes he had lived eight years in Ottawa (to age of 12) before going to Montreal. Described by his sister Doris as "too full of the devil for the Nazis to hold."

DHist cards also indicate that he was awarded the Polish Cross of Valour and Polish Silver Cross of Merit with Swords (authority given as C-J94368 DPC dated 15 October 1947). There is no AFRO, Canada Gazette or London Gazette entry to confirm this, and Government House Chancellery Division has no record of the awards. Did the Poles bestowe them and Canadian authorities decline or forget to acknowledge these honours ? The answer, found in his documents, is a fascinating study of political and diplomatic protocol blended with common sense. The following documents speak for themselves: 1. Undated document signed by P.1961, F/O W. Schoffer, RAF: I certify that P/O Brooks has been known to me since 3rd September 1944, through reports from his Unit, and personally known to me since 22nd November 1944, when he came directly under my command. Brooks was promoted to the rank of acting Pilot Officer in the Polish Home Army in 1943, from which time he was put in command of a Platoon in the distract of Krakow. Throughout the time he served as an officer with the Polish Home Army he showed great courage and outstanding ability as a leader. Brooks was responsible for selecting suitable landing grounds in the Nony Sacz, Myslenice and Bochnia areas for aircraft sent from Italy to Poland. He was also responsible for the security and welfare of seventeen British and American soldiers and airmen who were under the protection of the Polish Home Army. Brooks took part in many ambushes and attacks on the Germans. Polish Headquarters in London are in possession of my full report regarding Brooks. 2. Documents issued by Polish General Staff, London, 28 March 1945 includes the following: Certificate issued to P/O H. Brooks by the Commanding Officer of the Nowy Sacz District, 20th January 1945. "I hereby certify that P/O H. Brooks took an active part in fighting the Germans on Polish territory, being attached to a Partisan Unit of the Polish Home Army. The above mentioned officer has distinguished himself, showing outstanding courage and has proved himself to be an excellent soldier. P/O Brooks has been awarded the Cross of Valour. This has not yet been presented to him owing to prevailing difficulties in the Field." (signed) Borowy, Major 3. Letter, 3 February 1947, S/L J.M. Enstone (Chief Liaison Officer, RCAF Overseas Headquarters) to DND re Brooks with many appendices as follows:

APPENDIX "A" EXTRACT FROM LETTER DATED 10TH DECEMBER 1946 The Provisional Polish Government in Warsaw have recently protested about the issue of Polish decorations except under their authority. Group Captain Bohuszewicz, who signed the certificate produced in support of the application for permission to accept the awards for Flight Lieutenant Brooks, does not function under the authority of the Warsaw Government. In the circumstances it should be explained to the Canadian authorities that if an officer of the Royal Air Force were in question, we should not be able to take official cognizance of the awards, seeing that they were not referred to His Majesty's Government and agreed to by them before recognition was withdrawn from the former Polish Government on the 6th July 1945. APPENDIX "B" Letter, 28 January 1947, Major W. Klonkowski (officer in charge of Award and Decoration Section, Polish General Staff, London, to S/L J.M. Enstone, Acting Chief Liaison Officer, RCAF Overseas Headquarters: I would like to inform you that F/L H. Brooks was awarded, on January the 20th, 1945, the Polish Cross of Valour, and on January the 25th, 1945, the Silver Cross of Merit with Swords. The above awards were made by the Commander of the Polish Underground Army in Poland during F/L H. Brooks' service there between May 1943 and 26th January 1945. When F/L H. Brooks returned to England and proved his awards by special certificates given to him by the Commander of the Underground Army, they were confirmed by the President of the Republic of Poland in Exile. The Cross of Valour was presented to F/L H. Brooks on December the 6th 1945, and the Cross of Merit with Swords on June the 6th 1946. I enclose a certificate authorising F/L H. Brooks to wear the Silver Cross of Merit with Swords.

APPENDIX "C" Document issued by Polish General Staff, London, 6 December 1945: C E R T I F I C A T E It is certified that F/Lt. Hubert Brooks, born 29.12,1921, Alberta, Canada - has been awarded the CROSS OF VALOUR on the 20st [sic] January 1945, by the Commander of the Polish Home Army for his generous courage and bravery during his service in the Polish Underground Army from May 1943 to 26st January 1945. Stamped with crest signed W. Bohuszewicz Group Captain

APPENDIX "D" Identity card dated 6 December 1945 and issued by Polish General Staff, noting that P/O Hubert H. Brooks is entitled to wear the Cross of Valour; further noted: "Award published in the "Gazette of the Personal" [sic], No.2 dated 8 March 1946 and signed by Group Captain W/ Bohuszewicz.

APPENDIX "E" Translation of a Polish document dated 20 January 1945. CERTIFICATE I certify that the bearer of this certificate P/O Hubert Brooks took part in engagements against the Germans on the Polish territory among the groups of the Polish Home Army / A.K./,- The above mentioned officer distinguished himself with courage and bravery and has been awarded the Cross of Valour. The decoration has not been presented because the award should be confirmed by the Government in London. (signed) Borowy, Major

APPENDIX "F" Document dated London, 4th June 1946, from "General Staff" CERTIFICATE It is certified herewith, that the Commander of the Polish Home Army by order of the 20th January 1945 has conferred the SILVER CROSS OF MERIT WITH SWORDS on F/Lt Hubert Brooks for bravery during his service in the Polish Home Army in Poland from May 1943 to 26 January 1945. Stamped with crest signed W. Bohuszewicz Group Captain

APPENDIX "G" Document issued in London, January 1947 by "Polish General Staff" C e r t i f i c a t e It is hereby certified that F/L H. BROOKS was awarded the Silver Cross of Merit with Swords during his service in the Polish Underground Army in Poland from May 1943 to the 26st January 1945, and is entitled to wear the above named decoration. SZTAB GLOWNY signed by W. Klonkowski, Major stamp of crest Officer in Charge of the Award and Decoration Section POLISH GENERAL STAFF

4. Memo, 19 February 1947, W/C W.A. Dicks (RCAF Records Officer) to Air Member for Personnel: Honours and Awards - Foreign Decorations J94368 F/O H. Brooks MC 1. Hereunder is correspondence received from CLO concerning Polish recognition for the a/n officer for services rendered the Polish underground forces subsequent to his escape from POW camps, Germany. 2. F/L Brooks was awarded and invested with the Polish Cross of Valour and the Polish Silver Cross of Merit by persons who, it appears, do not presently function under the Warsaw Government. From Appendix "A" (correspondence hereunder) it seems that the Warsaw Government has been strongly protesting regarding the issue of Polish decorations except under their authority. 3. It is pointed out that: (i) The Polish authorities did not enlist the acceptance of these awards from the RCAF. (ii) F/L Brooks received the MC for services rendered prior to and subsequent to his escape as a POW and RCAF policy dictates that a foreign gallantry award will not be accepted where the gallantry in question has been recognized by the award of a British decoration. 4. In view of the possible political embarrassment involved, it is recommended that the RCAF does not take any official cognizance of the Polish awards in question, and if you concur the CLO will be requested to inform the Central Honours Committee accordingly. 5. Memo, 1 March 1947, W/C W.A. Dicks (RCAF Records Officer) to CLO, RCAF Overseas Headquarters, London:

Honours and Awards - Foreign Decorations J94368 F/O H. Brooks MC 1. In reply to your referenced correspondence, it is advised that the RCAF will not take official cognizance of the Polish awards with which the a/n officer was invested. 2. It is requested that the Central Honours Committee be advised accordingly. 6. FILE NOTE dated 17 September 1947, signed by F/L E.R. Heggtveit, EA to AMP (Campbell) - apparently not directed to anyone in particular.

Honours and Awards - Foreign Decorations J94368 F/O H. Brooks MC 1. F/L Brooks was awarded the Polish Silver Cross of Merit with Swords for the services which he rendered the Polish Home Army in Poland from May 1943 to 26 January 1945. Additionally, F/L Brooks was awarded the Polish Cross of Valour on 20 January 1946 by the Commander of the Polish Home Army for the services F/L Brooks rendered the Polish underground from May 1943 to 26 January 1945. These awards were never officially offered the RCAF for acceptance. The Polish Cross of Valour was presented to F/L Brooks on 6 December 1945, and the Cross of Merit with Swords on 6 June 1946. 2. In reviewing this case, Air Ministry state that, because of the recent protests of the Provisional Polish Government in Warsaw regarding the issue of Polish decorations except under their authority, had these circumstances pertained to an RAF officer the RAF could not under the circumstances take official cognizance of the awards. This recommendation was made to D/AMP on 19 February 1947 and D/AMP concurred that the RCAF should nit take official cognizance of the awards in question. 3. AMP wishes that the decision to deny F/L Brooks authorization to wear the Polish decorations with which he was invested be reconsidered on D/AMP's return from leave. 4. If D/AMP concurs, AMP has suggested that inasmuch as the awards in question pertain to gallantry, we will have the CLO accept these awards on behalf of the RCAF and accordingly promulgate in Supplement to AFROs and F/L Brooks will be given authorization to wear the ribbons in question. 7. Memo dated 15 October 1947: A/V/M Hugh Campbell (AMP) to AMAP (Morfee):

Honours and Awards - Foreign Decorations J94368 F/O H. Brooks MC 1. The m/n officer who was recently taken on strength of this HQ, and posted to your Division for duty, was awarded the Polish Silver Cross of Merit with Swords and the Polish Cross of Valour for meritorious services rendered the Polish underground forces subsequent to having escaped from German custody as a prisoner of war. 2. It will be observed from the folios in this file that official RCAF recognition of these awards was withheld from this officer, even though the awards were confirmed by the President of the Republic of Poland and F/O Brooks had been invested with the actual insignia. This course of action was taken because of the complicated political picture in the country concerned and the attitude adopted towards this subject by the British authorities due to the unstable nature of the government in question. 3. It will be noted at flagged folio "A", however, this HQ has taken cognizance of these awards by virtue of having F/O Brooks' records annotated accordingly, although no promulgation action in either the Canada Gazette or AFROs was taken. On reviewing the whole case, it has been decided that our previous ruling in this case should now be interpreted as granting permission for this officer to wear the ribbons of these awards on Service uniform in addition to the recording action taken, but as in the first instance, no promulgation action will be undertaken at the present time. 4. In view of the above, may F/O Brooks be informed that permission to wear the ribbons of the Polish decorations in question is granted.