Monday, March 23, 2009

AS SEEN ON TV: MONSIGNOR HUGH O'FLAHERTY

Since we tapped into "The Scarlet And The Black" for yesterday's "As Seen On TV", we might as well continue in that vein...... This is Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, who became known as "the Pimpernel of the Vatican". He was the leading force behind a scheme to smuggle out of Rome over 4,000 Allied POWs who escaped from the Nazis.

In order to do so, the Irish priest eventually had to adopt disguises to elude the Nazis himself, as there was a standing order to capture him should he step out of the diplomatic safety of the Vatican territory. This order finally became one of assassination, no matter where the chance arose. Among his disguises were a cart-pusher, a Gestapo SS officer, a nun (top row), a street-sweeper, a one-eyed peddler, and a mailman (bottom row).

BCnU!
Toby O'B

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