Comète Line

The Second World War from Hernani

Hernani had an important role to play in the fleeing of downed Allied airmen across half of Western Europe, as some of the people from Hernani were important mugalaris (people helping others cross the border between France and Spain) in the Comète Line.

The Comète Line was created to pick up Allied airmen where they had been shot down and help them cross the Pyrenees, in a clandestine manner, from occupied France to Hego Euskal Herria. This allowed them to return to Allied territory and flee from the Nazis.

In July 1941, the founder of the Comète Line, Andrée de Jongh (Dédée), arrived in Baiona. She crossed the Bidasoa for the first time, accompanied by other fugitives and guided by the mugalari from Hernani, Tomás Anabitarte. One of the most active mugalari collaborating with the Comète Line was also from Hernani, Florentino Goikoetxea.

The Zubia sculpture located in the Osiñaga neighbourhood pays tribute to the work of these mugalaris.