The Great Escape

The history of this daring escape

The escape of Allied airmen from the World War Two prisoner of war camp Stalag Luft III took place on the night of 24–25 March 1944. Two hundred airmen had planned to escape through man-made tunnels and 76 found their way to freedom; 73 were later captured. The chief organiser of the escape plan was RAF Squadron Leader Roger Bushell.

The Great Escape news

World War Two

20 March 2024

"Without the film, who'd remember the 50 who were murdered?"

Of the 76 who escaped from Stalag Luft III, 50 were handed over to the Gestapo and shot dead. Former PoW Charles Clarke spoke to the Fund in March 2019, a few months before he sadly passed away. He told us how The Great…

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The Great Escape news

World War Two

11 March 2019

"The plan was for 200 men to get out"

In an interview with the late RAF veteran Jack Lyon, he explains how the PoWs at Stalag Luft III were split into three groups as they carefully planned their escape.

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The Great Escape

The history of this daring escape

"Without the film, who'd remember the 50 who were murdered?"

"The plan was for 200 men to get out"

Videos

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