Last 'Great Escape' survivor dies

[NickFitz]

A Scot who is believed to be the last survivor of the "Great Escape" from a German prisoner of war camp has died, at the age of 97.

The mass escape from Stalag Luft III was an astonishing achievement, the tragic consequences of which could not have been foreseen by those who undertook it. The ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Allied PoWs involved still stand as a lesson to us all.

If all you know of it comes from that film with Steve McQueen on a motor bicycle (a scene which never happened in reality), I exhort you to find out more, whether from PoW Paul Brickhill's book (on which the film is based to the extent that Hollywood would allow it to be) or from one of the other books on the subject that have since been published.

Ave atque vale to Jack Harrison and his comrades.

[Churchill]

A Scot who is believed to be the last survivor of the "Great Escape" from a German prisoner of war camp has died, at the age of 97.

The mass escape from Stalag Luft III was an astonishing achievement, the tragic consequences of which could not have been foreseen by those who undertook it. The ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Allied PoWs involved still stand as a lesson to us all.

If all you know of it comes from that film with Steve McQueen on a motor bicycle (a scene which never happened in reality), I exhort you to find out more, whether from PoW Paul Brickhill's book (on which the film is based to the extent that Hollywood would allow it to be) or from one of the other books on the subject that have since been published.

Ave atque vale to Jack Harrison and his comrades.

"Bud Ekin"

Shirley?

[shaunbhoy]

If you ever get the chance, and are at a loose end in eastern Germany (i.e. Leipzig/Chemnitz direction), I thoroughly recommend a trip to Colditz. Truly fascinating what some of the inmates managed to get up to. They don't make 'em like that anymore. Today's crop would be stabbing each other for their Red Cross parcels.

[zeitghost]

It must be one of the ironies that he survived because he didn't escape.

[Doggy Styles]

I enjoyed the bit when Dickie Attenborough realises he was about to get shot.

[zeitghost]

I was very disappointed that they didn't get to use the Gingham Glider to escape from Colditz.

[BoredBloke]

Theyt better burn him - putting him under ground there is no telling where he'll turn up!