The Strange War in Ireland

A Canadian lawyer from Vancouver has transformed an unfinished manuscript begun by his veteran father, whose shaky navigation had caused him to crash in Ireland and then enter what appears to be the almost comic-opera internment system in the Irish Republic during World War II.

At first sight, the book seems light fare about two young Canadians—Keefer senior and his friend and navigator Jack Calder—in and out of cages, and living a stone’s throw away from German prisoners. But they were not an inconsequential pair and their story is certainly worth telling.

From the moment of capture in October 1941 until their escape in the autumn of 1943, these two Canadians were forced by circumstances to play a game of cat and mouse with the Irish authorities, who restricted the movements of all prisoners, both British and German. To ease tensions and prevent casualties, as well as to reduce cost and publicity, the prisoners were encouraged to sign and use daily...