Great Escape Tunnels at Stalag Luft III

[connie]

Americans in POW Camps

(note that this was the title for this thread but I retitled it to cover the direction the thread took). This first post makes more sense under the Americans as POW's title:

This was the fate of a goodly number of men in the 106th division. There were long marches without quarters; there were crowded boxcars; and there were German prison camps. And, as some of their fellow division members were digging in for warmth and cover, some of the POW's worked on tunneling out. These were not easy memories. But, they are part of a history that needs to be preserved. Are there memories you feel comfortable sharing?

[jrschaffner]

Subject: WW II - GREAT ESCAPE TUNNEL

For those of us that grew up just after the war for which our fathers or close relatives were involved, and those who have watched the famous movie "the Great Escape," this is really interesting.

The Tunnel that made The Great Escape possible.When graphics appear, move cursor over the number (no need to click) to display an explanation of activity. . .take the tour. . . it's something to see.The last number to 'roll over' is 16. Be sure to look and read the numbers and click 'next' to move along. In 1943 work had begun on 'Harry', the tunnel that allowed over 70 men to escape from the German POW camp, 'Stalag III', during World War II. This was the same tunnel made famous by the movie 'The Great Escape'. The URL below takes you to a site where one of the men, after the War, drew a diagram with explanations of each of the sections. It's amazing how accurate the movie was, even though it couldn't possibly include all the information involved in this great engineering feat.Hope you find this as interesting as I did. 

Note from Connie: I have found that the clickable site that was posted below no longer takes you to the site John Schaffner wrote about. I am searching for the amazing site that is mentioned here. I'll let you know when I find it -- and change the link!

Found it: www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/military/nazi-prison-escape-tunnel.html
 
This PBS post gives you options to look at a printable version of the drawings or to launch the interactive site John told of.

[connie]

John,

This is an amazing post.

Thanks!

Connie

[connie]

Carl's site has some excellent information related to life in German POW camps.
Go to:
www.freewebs.com/106thinfantry/


Click on the word "Kriegies" on the left sidebar

[connie]

Some time ago Jim West sent notice that a fourth tunnel in the series at Stalag Luft III had been found. Here's a link to a post on that find: vfw7016.org/Fourth%20Stalag%20Luft%20III%20Tunnel%20Found.pdf

The post looks like it ends with a short bit on the first page but scroll down and there are more photos and writings.

The other tunnels John Schaffner referred in the earlier link on this thread were named Tom, Dick, and Harry. This is George, the 4th tunnel

The quote at the end of this piece from someone who was there states: "I hope that what has been revealed will remind everybody
what we went through and how we met the challenges. It was a privilege to be
involved.‟


Connie