Survivors of the most famous escape in British history were today reunited 60 years on.
Six former prisoners of war who took part in the "The Great Escape" gathered at the Imperial War Museum aviation section at Duxford, near Cambridge, to mark the 60th anniversary of the break-out.
The escape took place on the night of March 24, 1944 when 76 Allied airmen escaped from the infamous Stalag Luft 3 prison camp in Sagan, Germany.
Three reached England, while 50 of those recaptured were shot by the Nazis.
The escape was immortalised in the classic 1963 film The Great Escape, which starred Steve McQueen, James Coburn, Richard Attenborough, Donald Pleasance and Gordon Jackson.
The survivors gathered at Duxford to reminisce and launch a new book, Lie in the Dark and Listen, written by Ken "Shag" Rees, who took part in the escape and was partly the inspiration for Steve McQueen's character, Hilts "The Cooler King", in the film.
"These men were all incredibly brave and their sheer brio and ingenuity is staggering," said a spokeswoman for the museum.
"It is a tremendous honour to have them here at Duxford and to be providing the launch venue for this remarkable book. This really does represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to talk to the real people behind one of our wartime stories of heroism and courage."

Just found a rather interesting link about the real chaps
http://www.elsham.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/gt_esc
V.Brave men indeed. And fifty paid a terrible price

Brensec you have to remember that large numbers of the RAF weren't British, they were Poles, Czechs, Free French, Dutch, Belgians etc etc.
I think the problem for the Germans was that most of the guys that got shot down were 'hostilities only' personel, and had done v.different things in civilian life, which meant they had the training and skills to make mischief in ways not normally encountered.
Tailors, surveyors, miners etc.
On the whole the Thirs Reich was reasonably honourable towards allied POWs (although the Poles had to anglicise their names for their own safety).
If you want a good film keep an eye out for The Password Is Courage, which is the true story of Sgt. Charles Coward who was a POW. He caused 'nuff mischief Amazing guy, great film

Ozzy

Not only that, but when his batman was released Bader gave him a real chewing about forgetting to bring his spare pair of legs along!!!
I'm afraid I'm not a fan of Sir Douglas, as having seen a program about him I reached the v.fair conclusion that he was a self-publicising, self-centered megolomaniac... Mind you that isn't an uncommon problem

My father met him once.  Thought he was an arrogant, self centered, jumped up little twat.

Will

I think it may well be logical progression.  You ahve barbed wire between you and freedom.  You can either go over it, through it or under it.  the only way to keep it a secret is to go under it (in normal circumstances) so the tunnel is the best option.

Will

I read a book about a year ago about Colditz Prison, the author (P. Reid I think) made reference to the fact that the Germans had sound detectors. Does anybody know when the Germans started using these devices?

Regards,
Stratobat

Hey Ozzy,

I'm not sure which one of the three I read, but I went through it in a few hours. It was an excellent read. I googled Colditz and came up with a site that made referrence to the Glider that they had build in the loft at Colditz and how the locals there destroyed it after the war. I think a replica was built in the end to replace the original.

Quote:


LMAO... That must have hacked them off no end

Regards,
Stratobat