A random fact

Hazel and Bigwig were based off of two WWll officers Adams knew in the military during his part as a soldier before he retired and became an author.

• Hazel was inspired by Adams’ commanding officer, Major John Gifford, a man he described as “brave in the most self-effacing way” and an who rarely raised his voice.
• Captain Desmond Kavanagh was the inspiration for the iconic Bigwig. Adams wrote, “afraid of nothing“ and “by nature entirely the public’s image of a parachute officer” just like his officer role in the story.

Gifford survived the war but Captain Desmond Kavanagh did not.