The Great Escape
Discussion
and31 said:
I can’t really see how Ken Rees inspired the completely fictional steve McQueen character.very lazy journalism…
I read something on Facebook that said he was based on more than one person. An OSS operative put on a flight jacket just before being captured, so lived to become a POW. I read a very interesting story about this just the other day. Apparently, Peter Butterworth, of Carry On fame was shot down in 1940 and became a POW. He escaped from one camp before being sent to Stalag Luft 3. He was on the escape committee for "The Great Escape "and was one of the vaulters for the escape immortalised in the film The Wooden Horse. Also interesting was the fact that he auditioned for the film The Wooden Horse and didn't get a part because was too fat and didn't look convincing enough.
Nethybridge said:
williamp said:
I've just finished a book about the German nightfighters. They said that, despite neutralist Switzerland had an agreement with Germnay to send the German pilots back if they landed or crashed in Switzerland (but not the Allies). Maybe Sweden had a simmilar agreement for POW's??
I believe there was a similar unwritten agreement with Ireland, German airmen would be interned, allied personnel would be allowed to leave Ireland and return to their bases.
Eric Mc said:
Nethybridge said:
williamp said:
I've just finished a book about the German nightfighters. They said that, despite neutralist Switzerland had an agreement with Germnay to send the German pilots back if they landed or crashed in Switzerland (but not the Allies). Maybe Sweden had a simmilar agreement for POW's??
I believe there was a similar unwritten agreement with Ireland, German airmen would be interned, allied personnel would be allowed to leave Ireland and return to their bases.
German airmen who died in Ireland were buried in Ireland. There is a German Airman's cemetry in County Wicklow.
Allied airmen's bodies were repatriated.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glencree_German_war_...
Allied airmen's bodies were repatriated.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glencree_German_war_...
and31 said:
Please post some of your experiences of your visit-I’m very interested obviously!!
Good evening, sorry for the delayed response, it’s been a manic week as I went to Zagan and Poznan for the 80th anniversary of The Great Escape. 48 of the 50 that were murdered are buried in Poznan. It was a really good and moving few days and we met some great people and heard some fascinating stories from family members. Jimmy James died in 2008. Yes he did do a lot of interviews, but not many others did. A lot had PTSD and refused to talk about their time in the camp. I’d love to see other things in your collection if that’s ok. Wings Day died back in 1977 and he’s buried in Malta. If you send me your email address I’ll send you some pictures from the weekend and Stalag Luft 3. p_wil88 said:
Good evening, sorry for the delayed response, it’s been a manic week as I went to Zagan and Poznan for the 80th anniversary of The Great Escape. 48 of the 50 that were murdered are buried in Poznan. It was a really good and moving few days and we met some great people and heard some fascinating stories from family members. Jimmy James died in 2008. Yes he did do a lot of interviews, but not many others did. A lot had PTSD and refused to talk about their time in the camp. I’d love to see other things in your collection if that’s ok. Wings Day died back in 1977 and he’s buried in Malta. If you send me your email address I’ll send you some pictures from the weekend and Stalag Luft 3.
So conk obviously died before 2008-wow seems like yesterday! I’ll have a look and see what I can find
I’m afraid your profile page says you don’t except emails-click on my profile and you should be able to email me. Cheers
Edited by and31 on Thursday 28th March 20:50
and31 said:
Please post some of your experiences of your visit-I’m very interested obviously!!
Good evening, sorry for the delayed response, it’s been a manic week as I went to Zagan and Poznan for the 80th anniversary of The Great Escape. 48 of the 50 that were murdered are buried in Poznan. It was a really good and moving few days and we met some great people and heard some fascinating stories from family members. Jimmy James died in 2008. Yes he did do a lot of interviews, but not many others did. A lot had PTSD and refused to talk about their time in the camp. I’d love to see other things in your collection if that’s ok. Wings Day died back in 1977 and he’s buried in Malta. If you send me your email address I’ll send you some pictures from the weekend and Stalag Luft 3. and31 said:
So conk obviously died before 2008-wow seems like yesterday! I’ll have a look and see what I can find
I’m afraid your profile page says you don’t except emails-click on my profile and you should be able to email me. Cheers
I think I’ve sent you an email now. Hopefully it’s worked. I’m afraid your profile page says you don’t except emails-click on my profile and you should be able to email me. Cheers
Edited by and31 on Thursday 28th March 20:50
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