Establishing contact with friendly lines or crossing the border to a neutral country is the most crucial point of evasion. All of your patience, planning, and hardships have been in vain if you are not wary when contacting friendly frontline forces. Many personnel operating behind enemy lines have been killed by friendly outposts while attempting to pass through friendly lines. Evaders have been shot by friendly patrols because they did not identify themselves properly. Many refugees have been accidentally killed by friendly forces. While trying to escape to freedom, most of these refugees would not have been shot if they had used caution and followed a few simple rules. The normal tendency is to throw caution to the wind when you are in sight of friendly forces. Realize that the situation is very sensitive, and this tendency should be overcome. Regular patrols or special-mission personnel operating behind enemy lines are given the challenge and password of the day as a security measure. This provides for the identification of the patrol as it approaches a friendly position. In addition, frontline troops are told the time and place where patrols are to leave and enter the lines. The password of the day will not help you unless you are able to rejoin your unit within 24 hours after separation. You must follow certain established procedures and hope the frontline troops also follow them. Frontline troops (especially those employed several miles forward of the battle area) usually shoot first and ask questions later. It is obvious that contact with these troops is, at the least, sensitive and a calculated risk. However, in the absence of an opportunity to contact a friendly patrol, this may be the only alternative. Generally, frontline troops are told that the display of a white flag or another white object should be honored and that the unknown person be allowed to advance and be recognized.

Once back in friendly hands, it is natural to talk about your exploits. And you will undoubtedly be asked countless questions by frontline troops. This is the time for you to remain silent because if you talk at this point, you may endanger the lives of those who helped you. In addition, your answers may compromise the methods used to evade the enemy that could be used by some other unfortunate serviceman in evading safely. You are authorized to give only information of immediate tactical importance to frontline units, unless you are a member of regular patrol actions. Advise the first officer or petty officer you contact that you are returning to duty from missing in action, prisoner of war, or internment status; then request someone authorized to receive evasion and escape information.