Escape from Colditz
The best known and most notorious PoW camp in history is Colditz, an 18th century castle in eastern Germany. With its imposing walls, steep cliffs, and rigorous policing, it was seen as the ultimate prison, home to the worst troublemakers from allied PoW camps all over Europe. Using archive material and dramatic reconstruction, and the personal testimony of Colditz veterans, this series documents the creative and often spectacular attempts to go over, under, around or through the walls. A specially commissioned archaeologist, working with the veterans, also uncovers the secret rooms, hidden tunnels and concealed doors that were so important in securing each precious escape from Colditz. At the start of 1942, British prisoners were lagging behind the French and Dutch in terms of "home runs" but the British success rate was about to improve, as they were getting help from a new source.
Episodes
Second World War veterans who escaped from the notorious PoW camp describe their imprisonment. Returning for the first time in almost 60 years, the men uncover the secret rooms, hidden tunnels and concealed doors that were crucial in gaining their freedom, while archive footage and dramatic reconstructions provide an insight into the grim history of the 18th-century castle which stands on a cliff-top above the small east German town.
This episode looks at a period of great success for the British escapers, and examines the ingenuity and expertise that were so important in securing escapes. Among those featured are archaeologist Thomas Schmidt and former inmates Jock Hamilton-Baille, George Drew, Lt. Grismond Davies-Scourfield and Jack Best.
In the most audacious escape attempt at all, a group of British prisoners designed and built a glider to fly from the roof of the castle - but events conspired to prevent its launch. The Spirit of Colditz has since attained legendary status as the greatest escape attempt never to happen. Some 55 years later, the glider has been rebuilt almost precisely. With two of the veterans who originally designed her looking on, this programme investigates if the Spirit of Colditz really would have flown. It also reveals how the prisoners combated the boredom of daily life, what happened to the Colditz spy, and how a syphilitic camel came to one man's rescue as he attempted to escape from Colditz.
