A book about the life of a prisoner of war, who managed to evade his Nazi captors and begin an ill-fated love affair, has been published.
Former soldier Horace Greasley, from Ibstock, died three years ago aged 91.
But before passing away, he recounted his vivid memories to ghost author, Ken Scott, who is cited along with Horace as the author of Do The Birds Still Sing in Hell?
So astonishing is his tale that Hollywood producers are planning to make a film of his daring prowess and doomed romance.
For many, however, the book will tell the full story of the man who fought for his country and survived to return home.
Horace managed to see a copy of the book before he died and was "immensely proud", said his widow Brenda, 81.
Horace was thrown into the horrors of war aged 20 and posted to France.
Captured trying to defend Dunkirk, he became a prisoner, surviving a 10-week march to Poland, but lost many comrades along the way through exhaustion and malnourishment.
Horace survived unimaginable brutality in the freezing desolation of a camp in Poland but also embarked on a love affair – risking everything to find a way to keep seeing his lover.
Amazingly, he found a way to break both in and out of his prison camp to see Rosa, the daughter of the Silesian quarry owner where prisoners had been put to work.
Making his escape several times a week, Horace brought back food for his fellow prisoners to supplement their meager rations.
He even smuggled in components to build a radio, enabling prisoners to hear BBC news.
Rosa and Horace planned a life together after the war, but the tumultuous events around them seemed to make a future together impossible.
Horace was liberated on May 24, 1945, and continued to receive letters from Rosa, by then a translator for the Americans.
But the letters suddenly stopped and Horace found out Rosa had died in childbirth soon after he had got home.
Horace never knew if the child was his.
He went on to marry Brenda, whom he met at a fancy dress party in Ibstock, and the couple went on to live in Spain.
When Horace died, she returned to Leicestershire.
Brenda, who now lives in Hinckley, said: "He loved to recount his days during the war, it was a huge part of him and showed some of the spirit that got him through.
"It was very emotional to read the book and I found it fascinating to hear about his past in such great detail.
"I don't mind in the least reading about his love affair. Everyone has a past so it's something you expect."
Horace became a gentlemen's barber after the war, but never forgot his time as a soldier.
Brenda said: "He was failing towards the end, but would make little recoveries and it was as though, once the book was finished, he breathed one last sigh and that was it."
Horace's book is out in paperback through John Blake Publishing, priced £6.99.
