The Great Escape 70 years on
24 Mar 2014 04:26 PM
The 'Great
Escape' from Second World War prisoner-of-war camp Stalag Luft III took
place 70 years ago.
Although 200 airmen had planned
to escape through man-made tunnels, only 76 managed to taste freedom and 73
were later captured. Of those who broke out, only 3 reached safety, and, of the
73 recaptured, 50 were shot dead by Nazi Germany’s feared secret police
force, the Gestapo.
Yesterday, a ceremony to
commemorate the Great Escape took place in Zagan, Poland; a town near to the
site of the Luftwaffe-run prisoner-of-war camp. Attending the ceremony were
survivors of the Stalag Luft, which means ‘camp for aircrew’,
families of those held there and UK and Polish officials.
The ceremony in Poland was the
first formal act of remembrance held in their honour. Between 5 and 10
survivors of the prisoner-of-war camp were expected to attend.
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