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Someone you should know. Two of them, actually.

By The Armorer on February 15, 2008 | | Comments (8)

Two recently-passed survivors of "The Great Escape," from New Zealand and Australia.

This “Great Escape”, as it became known and popularized by the movie of the same name, was an incredible example of ingenuity and determination on the part of Allied airmen resolved to escape from a camp designed explicitly to prevent escape. Of the two hundred intended escapees, only 76 got away when the exit point of their tunnel was discovered by a guard who chose that exact spot to relieve himself while on roving patrol.. All but three of those who got out were recaptured and, of those 50 were shot by the Gestapo, at Hitler's direction.

Flight Lieutenant Michael Shand

Flight Lieutenant William Fordyce

I'd say "Make a hole there, Fliers inbound to Fiddler's Green!" except these two already know how to make a hole to get somewhere.

Therefore, now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam.


H/t, Murray.

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8 Comments

By Trias on February 15, 2008 8:21 PM
Clearly brave men and you can see the enormous risk they took. I had no idea about a great escape till now.
 
By Murray on February 15, 2008 8:43 PM
Heavans someone who didn't know Steve McQueen mastermided the great escape. I didn't know there were any. Aside from the small aspect that no Americans were involved in this particular venture its not a bad film though.
 
By AFSister on February 15, 2008 9:17 PM
Several years ago (ok, probably more like 10 years ago or more) I had the pleasure of volunteering at a military reunion. Red Cross was asked to man the registration desk and a few other positions, so I volunteered. I had no idea whose reunion it was. As it turned out, it wasn't your typical reunion. It was the reunion of men who survived a prison camp- the "Great Escape" prison camp. I met the chaplain and several other survivors, and bought the chaplain's book. Meeting those men, hearing their stories first-hand, and seeing their reactions as they walked around the artifact displays was an incredibly moving experience. I'm sad to hear we lost two more. At the reunion, which was held every five years, organizers were afraid it would be the last reunion because the survivors were dying at astronomical rates. I'm pretty sure that reunion is being held at Fiddler's Green now. Perhaps some day they'll let me listen in on their conversations again.
 
By AFSister on February 15, 2008 9:46 PM
HA! I found it! The book is by Padre Murdo Ewen MacDonald. In searching for information about him tonight, I discovered he passed away in 2004. I also found out that another Stalag Luft III reunion has been planned, in Cincinnati again, in a few months. I just might have to show up...
 
By steveH on February 15, 2008 10:46 PM
My highschool algebra/woodshop/technical drawing teacher spent time in Stalag Luft III. He was a B-17 navigator, shot down over Regensburg. He was in no shape, physically, to be in contention as an escaper (which he noted saved his life), but he worked as part of the support group who helped the tunnellers, "organizing" materials for shoring up the tunnels. Once, and only once, he pulled together the pictures and information he'd collected during that time, and presented the story to his students. He wasn't a hero, but he lived and worked with quite a few of them, he said.
 
By John of Argghhh! on February 16, 2008 10:35 AM
Trias - comments like that keep me posting stuff like this. Thanks!
 
By Murray on February 16, 2008 6:26 PM
AFSister the Cincinnati reunion I suspect will be for the US vets of Stalag III. The US camp seems to have been seperate from the Commonwealth and quite large. Bill Fordyce was the last of the Great Escapers according to the report. There weren't that many to begin with since Hitler ordered 50 of them shot. The "Great Escape" itself was staged from the Commonwealth Camp hence the kiwis & Aussies. Those pommy miners really loved digging holes. The Germans would have had less troble chasing them down all the time if they'd sent back everyone they caught from Newcastle, Wales and the NZ West Coast. Every time the Germans tripped over there was some herbert covered in dirt saying oi gov is this the way to picadilly then? Try The Wooden Horse for a sample of just how much these guys got into digging. They make Hogan look like a pansy. From my reading it appears that the Australians got a camp of their own as well in due cause. Not sure if thats due to numbers or social presure from the non-barbied shrimp eating members of the commonwealth but there you go.
 
By AFSister on February 16, 2008 10:21 PM
It could be, Murray, but the one I went to did have foreign attendees- including Padre Mac.