Stalag Luft III. Imperial War Museum photo.

The Great Escape, a 1963 film starring Steve McQueen, James Garner, and Richard Attenborough, is a classic war movie that dramatizes the daring escape of Allied prisoners of war (POWs) from the German POW camp Stalag Luft III during World War II. While the film takes some creative liberties, it is based on a remarkable true story of ingenuity, bravery, and resilience.

Stalag Luft III

Stalag Luft III was a high-security POW camp located in Lower Silesia, near the town of Sagan (now Żagań, Poland). The camp was operated by the German Luftwaffe and was specifically designed to house Allied airmen who had been captured during the war. The Germans believed the camp to be escape-proof due to its remote location and the extensive security measures in place.

The camp was meticulously planned and constructed to prevent escapes. One of the key security features was the elevation of the prisoners’ huts off the ground. This design made it difficult for prisoners to dig tunnels directly from their huts without being detected. Additionally, the Germans buried microphones nine feet underground along the camp’s perimeter. These microphones were intended to detect the sounds of digging, providing an early warning system against tunneling attempts.

Another significant security measure was the choice of location. Stalag Luft III was built on top of yellow sand, which posed a considerable challenge for would-be escapees. The sand was not only difficult to tunnel through, but it was also highly visible. Any displaced sand from tunneling efforts would be easily noticeable against the camp’s surface, making it hard for prisoners to conceal their activities.

The camp was divided into several compounds, each housing different nationalities of Allied airmen. The compounds were surrounded by barbed wire fences and guarded by watchtowers equipped with searchlights and machine guns. The guards, known as “goons” by the prisoners, patrolled the camp day and night, maintaining a constant watch over the inmates.

Model of the set used to film the movie “The Great Escape.” It is a smaller version of one compound of Stalag Luft III in Sagan, Poland, scene of the “Great Escape” by allied POWs in March 1944. Wikimedia / CC BY-SA 3.0.

An Ambitious Plan

The mastermind behind the escape plan was Royal Air Force (RAF) Squadron Leader Roger Bushell. Bushell had been shot down over France while assisting with the evacuation of Dunkirk and was subsequently captured and sent to Stalag Luft III. Known for his determination and leadership, Bushell quickly became a key figure among the prisoners. In the spring of 1943, he and over 600 prisoners began working on an ambitious plan to dig three tunnels, codenamed “Tom,” “Dick,” and “Harry.” The goal was to create multiple escape routes to increase the chances of success.

The tunnels were designed to be more than 300 feet long, extending beyond the camp’s perimeter to the cover of the surrounding forest. The prisoners faced numerous challenges, including the risk of detection, the need for materials to shore up the tunnels, and the difficulty of disposing of the excavated sand. They scavenged and stole materials, using bed boards to reinforce the tunnel walls and tin cans to create ventilation systems. The tunnels were equipped with electric lighting, powered by stolen wire hooked up to the camp’s electrical supply.

The construction of the tunnels required meticulous planning and coordination. The prisoners developed a sophisticated system for disposing of the excavated sand, using specially designed bags hidden in their clothing to discreetly scatter the sand around the camp. This method, known as “penguin-ing,” involved prisoners walking around the camp with the bags concealed in their trousers, releasing the sand through small holes as they moved.

To avoid detection, the prisoners worked in shifts, with lookout men stationed to warn of approaching guards. The tunnels were dug at a depth of about 30 feet to avoid the microphones buried around the camp’s perimeter. The prisoners also created false walls and hidden compartments in their huts to conceal their activities and the materials they were using.

The escape plan was a massive undertaking that required the cooperation and ingenuity of many prisoners. They created maps, forged documents, and even tailored civilian clothes to wear once they escaped. The tunnels were equipped with trolleys to transport the sand and tools, and the prisoners used a variety of improvised tools, including knives, spoons, and even a homemade air pump to ensure proper ventilation.

Tunnel “Tom” was discovered by the guards in September 1943, leading to its destruction. This setback did not deter the prisoners, who continued to work on the remaining tunnels. Tunnel “Dick” was initially used to store soil and supplies from the other tunnels2. However, as the escape plan progressed, it was decided that “Dick” would not be used for the escape itself due to changes in the camp’s layout and increased security measures. Tunnel “Harry” became the primary focus for the escape.

Diagram of the tunnel “Harry”. Wikimedia / CC BY-SA 2.5.

The Escape: March 24, 1944

On the night of March 24, 1944, the escape plan was put into action. Seventy-six Allied airmen managed to crawl through the tunnel “Harry” and escape into the forest. However, the escape was not without its setbacks. The tunnel was discovered by the guards, and the remaining prisoners were unable to escape. Of the 76 who made it out, only three successfully reached freedom. The rest were recaptured, and 50 of them were executed on the orders of Adolf Hitler, in violation of the Geneva Convention.

The escape had a significant impact on the war effort and the morale of both the prisoners and the Allied forces. It demonstrated the ingenuity and determination of the Allied POWs and highlighted the brutal treatment they faced at the hands of the Nazis. The story of the escape was later immortalized in Paul Brickhill’s 1950 non-fiction book The Great Escape, which served as the basis for the 1963 film.

While the film The Great Escape stays true to the essence of the escape, it introduces several fictional elements and characters, such as the inclusion of American characters who were not part of the actual escape, to enhance the drama and entertainment value. Despite these creative liberties, it captures the spirit of the daring operation and the bravery of those involved. The true story of The Great Escape remains a tribute to the resilience and courage of the Allied POWs who risked everything for a chance at freedom.

Memorial to “The Fifty” Allied airmen executed after the “Great Escape”

Final Thoughts

The Great Escape remains profoundly relevant today as it exemplifies the enduring human spirit, resilience, and the quest for freedom in the face of oppression. In a world where conflicts and injustices still exist, the bravery and ingenuity of the Allied POWs serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up against tyranny and fighting for one’s rights. Their story continues to inspire and resonate, highlighting the value of courage, solidarity, and the relentless pursuit of liberty. As we reflect on their legacy, we are reminded of the ongoing need to uphold these principles in our own lives and in the broader global context.

By Eugene Nielsen

Eugene Nielsen provides private sector intelligence and consulting services. He has a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California. His byline has appeared in numerous national and international journals and magazines.

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