The flight path to Germany coursed over northern Europe during World War II. Bombing missions to targets in occupied Europe and to the German homeland initially were undertaken by the airmen of the British Royal Air Force and then, during daylight missions beginning in 1942, by the Eighth Air Force. Allied airmen frequently were forced to bail out of their damaged fighters and bombers over territory that was occupied by enemy forces. Many of these airmen were captured by the Germans and became Prisoners of War. Thousands of others were helped to freedom by civilian Helper families who risked their lives supplying a safe place to hide from German troops who were aware of their presence and of their crashed aircraft. These hiding places were called “safe houses.” Come and see the recreation of a Belgian safe house, constructed inside the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum with the help of real Belgian helpers who are still living today. Find the “secrets” within the house and explore what it might have been like to be an airman trying to escape and evade the enemy in World War II. 

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