Several New Zealand airmen took part in the Great Escape from Stalag Luft III.

In a prison specially designed to make escape difficult, 600 prisoners constructed a tunnel 9m beneath the surface that featured small railway-like trolleys, electric lighting and 6000 bed-boards to shore up the sand.

The escape took place on a bitter winter night in March 1944. The exit from the tunnel was a few metres short of forest cover and snow delayed the escapers.

Future Victoria Cross holder Leonard Trent was caught near the exit and returned to solitary confinement. Thousands of police and troops pursued the 76 men who escaped.

Flight Lieutenant Mick Shand and Flying Officer Porokou (Johnny) Pohe were caught and imprisoned together.

Three New Zealanders were among the 50 escapers later executed on Hitler's orders.

One of them was Pohe, who had been the first Maori pilot to enlist in the RNZAF. He removed his blindfold to face the firing squad.

Curiously, no Americans participated in the escape, having been previously relocated to another compound.