On Channel 5 (UK) tomorrow, escapees included several RFC/RNAS officers
In Hanover in 1918, the Holzminden POW camp was ruled with an iron fist by camp commandant Karl Niemeyer, a man with a reputation for cruelty.
A group of British officers set out to free themselves from the tyrant with techniques which would later be used in the escape of 1944. These included using cutlery as digging tools to create a tunnel and bed slats to shore it up. The ventilation system, essential to the men’s survival, was a feat of ingenuity.
On the evening of 24 July, 29 men made it through the tunnel and vanished into Germany,many aiming for neutral Holland. The 10 who made it back to Britain were hailed as heroes, and inspired a nation.
http://www.channel5.com/shows/the-first-great-escape/episodes/the-first-great-escape
By: bazv - 23rd March 2014 at 21:14
Thanks for the heads up : )
Not a good start though when the young lady stated that WW1 aircrew did not feel fear….. well yes !! maybe a few did not feel fear but I would have thought that the majority did – esp fear of fire and disablement !!
By: EYR - 23rd March 2014 at 19:07
Did someone say RNAS – that got my attention!
Thanks for the heads-up Schneiderman
By: BlueNoser352 - 23rd March 2014 at 10:22
Sure hope someone is kind enough to record this and put it on youtube for those of us who live outside the UK…..remember on this Monday is the anniversary of the WW II Great Escape for Sagan ! This sounds like a great story from WWI. MOVIE for the future I hope.
Sign In
March 22, 2014 at 9:36 pm