A Daring Escape: The Remarkable True Story of a World War II POW

In the annals of World War II, there are many stories of daring escapes. But few are as remarkable as the story of the "Great Escape" from Stalag Luft III, a German prisoner of war camp.

Stalag Luft III was a maximum-security camp located in what is now Poland. It was home to over 10,000 Allied prisoners of war, including many who had been captured during the Battle of Britain.

Flight: A Novel of a Daring Escape During World War II

by Vanessa Harbour

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4243 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	231 pages
Paperback	:	83 pages
Item Weight	:	3.12 pounds
Dimensions	:	6.1 x 0.2 x 9.25 inches

FREE

Despite the harsh conditions and the constant threat of execution, the prisoners at Stalag Luft III never gave up hope of escape. In fact, they began planning an escape almost as soon as they arrived at the camp.

The escape plan was codenamed "Operation Husky." It involved digging three tunnels under the camp's perimeter fence. The tunnels were to be large enough to accommodate hundreds of prisoners.

The prisoners worked on the tunnels for months, using tools that they had smuggled into the camp. They also had to be careful not to be detected by the German guards.

On the night of March 24, 1944, 76 prisoners escaped through the tunnels. However, only 23 of them made it to safety. The rest were either recaptured or killed.

The Great Escape was a daring and ambitious undertaking. It is a testament to the courage and determination of the Allied prisoners of war who risked their lives to escape from Stalag Luft III.

The Planning

The planning for the Great Escape began almost as soon as the first prisoners arrived at Stalag Luft III. The prisoners knew that they would need to be patient and resourceful if they wanted to succeed.

The first step was to gather information about the camp. The prisoners studied the layout of the camp, the location of the guard towers, and the routines of the guards.

Once they had a good understanding of the camp, the prisoners began to develop their escape plan. They decided to dig three tunnels under the camp's perimeter fence.

The tunnels were to be large enough to accommodate hundreds of prisoners. They also needed to be deep enough to avoid detection by the German guards.

The prisoners worked on the tunnels for months, using tools that they had smuggled into the camp. They also had to be careful not to be detected by the German guards.

The Escape

On the night of March 24, 1944, 76 prisoners escaped through the tunnels. They were led by Roger Bushell, a British officer who had been captured during the Battle of France.

The prisoners made their way to the edge of the camp and then cut through the perimeter fence. They then split into small groups and headed in different directions.

However, only 23 of the prisoners made it to safety. The rest were either recaptured or killed.

The Aftermath

The Great Escape was a daring and ambitious undertaking. It is a testament to the courage and determination of the Allied prisoners of war who risked their lives to escape from Stalag Luft III.

The escape also had a significant impact on the war. The Germans were furious that so many prisoners had escaped and they tightened security at all of their POW camps.

The Great Escape is still remembered today as one of the most daring escapes in history. It is a story of courage, determination, and resilience.

The Prisoners

The prisoners who escaped from Stalag Luft III were a diverse group of men. They came from all walks of life and from all over the world.

Some of the prisoners were career soldiers, while others were civilians who had been captured while fighting in the war.

Despite their different backgrounds, the prisoners were united by a common goal: to escape from Stalag Luft III.

The prisoners who escaped included:

• Roger Bushell, a British officer who led the escape
• Michael Codner, a British officer who designed the tunnels
• Eric Williams, a Canadian officer who was the "tunneling expert"
• Jack Best, a British officer who was the "escape officer"
• Dick Churchill, a British officer who was the "medical officer"

The Legacy

The Great Escape is still remembered today as one of the most daring escapes in history. It is a story of courage, determination, and resilience.

The escape has been the subject of numerous books, movies, and documentaries. It has also inspired countless other escape attempts.

The legacy of the Great Escape is one of hope and inspiration. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for escape.

Flight: A Novel of a Daring Escape During World War II

by Vanessa Harbour

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4243 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	231 pages
Paperback	:	83 pages
Item Weight	:	3.12 pounds
Dimensions	:	6.1 x 0.2 x 9.25 inches

FREE