Stalag Luft III: The Great Escape

On March 24, 1944, a group of Allied prisoners of war (POWs) made a daring escape from the Nazi prison camp Stalag Luft III. The escape, which was later dubbed "the Great Escape," was one of the most daring and successful of World War II.

The True Story of the Great Escape: Stalag Luft III, March 1944

by Jonathan F. Vance

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6816 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	538 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The prisoners had been planning their escape for months. They had dug a tunnel 300 feet long and 10 feet deep under the camp's perimeter fence. They had also built a wooden horse to hide the entrance to the tunnel. On the night of the escape, 76 prisoners crawled through the tunnel and made their way to freedom.

The escape was a major embarrassment for the Nazis. They launched a massive manhunt for the escaped prisoners, but only 23 of them were ever recaptured. The rest made it to safety in neutral countries or Allied territory.

The Great Escape is a story of courage, determination, and the power of hope. It is a testament to the human spirit and the indomitable will to be free.

The planning

The planning for the escape began in the fall of 1943. A group of prisoners, led by British officer Roger Bushell, decided to dig a tunnel under the camp's perimeter fence. The prisoners worked in secret, digging the tunnel at night and hiding the entrance during the day.

The prisoners faced many challenges while digging the tunnel. The ground was hard and rocky, and the prisoners had to work quietly so as not to be detected by the guards. They also had to find a way to dispose of the dirt from the tunnel without being noticed.

Despite the challenges, the prisoners persevered. They dug the tunnel 300 feet long and 10 feet deep. They also built a wooden horse to hide the entrance to the tunnel.

The escape

On the night of March 24, 1944, 76 prisoners crawled through the tunnel and made their way to freedom. The prisoners wore civilian clothes and carried forged documents. They also had maps and compasses to help them navigate their way to safety.

The prisoners split up into small groups and headed in different directions. Some of the prisoners made it to neutral countries, while others made it to Allied territory. Only 23 of the escaped prisoners were ever recaptured.

The aftermath

The Great Escape was a major embarrassment for the Nazis. They launched a massive manhunt for the escaped prisoners, but only 23 of them were ever recaptured. The rest made it to safety in neutral countries or Allied territory.

The Great Escape is a story of courage, determination, and the power of hope. It is a testament to the human spirit and the indomitable will to be free.

The book

The book Stalag Luft III: The Great Escape is a gripping account of the escape from Stalag Luft III. The book is written by Paul Brickhill, one of the escaped prisoners. Brickhill's book is a firsthand account of the planning, execution, and aftermath of the escape.

Stalag Luft III: The Great Escape is a classic work of history and literature. It is a must-read for anyone interested in World War II, prison escapes, or the human spirit.

The True Story of the Great Escape: Stalag Luft III, March 1944

by Jonathan F. Vance

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6816 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	538 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE