Stolen Years: Australian prisoners of war - Escape from Stalag Luft III
The great escape
On 24 March 1944 over 200 men prepared to break out of Stalag Luft III, at Sagan in German-occupied Poland. They had taken nearly a year to dig their tunnels – nicknamed Tom, Dick and Harry. Seventy-six prisoners got away, but the Gestapo recaptured and murdered fifty, including five Australians. Of the 76 escapees, only three reached Allied lines. The Sagan escape was the largest planned breakout of Allied prisoners in the war. The attempt inspired the Paul Brickhill book, The Great Escape, and a film adaptation.
A. H. Comber
Second World War enlisted Royal Australian Air Force
It looked harmless enough until…
pen and brush and ink over pencil on paper
drawn in London in 1945
acquired in 1945
A. H. Comber
Second World War enlisted Royal Australian Air Force
The tunnel was to come up in the woods…
pen and brush and ink over pencil on paper
drawn in London in 1945
acquired in 1945
A. H. Comber
Second World War enlisted Royal Australian Air Force
The tunnel at Stalag Luft III: the foot of the shaft
pen and brush and ink over pencil on paper
drawn in London in 1945
acquired in 1945
A. H. Comber
Second World War enlisted Royal Australian Air Force
Extending the tunnel at the working face
pen and brush and ink on paper
drawn in London in 1945
acquired in 1945