Andree de Jongh, founder of the Comet Line

"How was it possible that this small, slight woman had crossed and recrossed the Pyrenees mountain range multiple times, rescued dozens of Allied airmen, and kept the Germans guessing for two years? Julienne had already learned that Florentino, Dedee's mountain guide was an enormous, indefatigable man of few words and little patience. What an odd pair they must make! How had this tiny woman gained so much of the large man's trust that he willingly and continually risked his own life to escort her and groups of Allied fliers across the mighty Pyrenees? When she gazed into Julienne's eyes with her intense light ones and greeted her with a friendly, "Bonjour!" Julienne knew the answer immediately; this woman emanated a strength and vitality that could not be measured by stature." 

--Excerpt from The Belgian Girls, page 132-133, where one of my fictional characters meets the very real Andree de Jongh, founder of the Comet Line which rescued 700+ allied fliers from German POW camps during WWII.