I read a novel years ago, where the story concerned a group of plane crash survivors who used scrap material from a nearby abandoned mine to construct medieval type weapons (trebuchet, crossbows, etc), to prevent a local militia from crossing a river to capture them.

I initially believed it was a Hammond Innes novel, but on looking through his novels, I now believe it was another author (Alistair McLean possibly?).

Any info appreciated

Don Watters

After searching for this for 6 months, I had a sudden epiphany, and searched under Desmond Bagley - lo and behold, it's "High Citadel".

Don Watters