The Great Escapism
POWs in concerts and plays at famous camp
PHOTOGRAPHS showing what life was really like inside the Second World War “Great Escape” camp have emerged, 80 years on.
One of the set, which was taken by a British prisoner of war, is of a big band recital at the Stalag Luft III campground in Zagan, Poland.
Another shows a group of captives dressed in drag for a morale-boosting stage performance.
There are also poignant images of Allied airmen’s funeral services in the photo album collated by Flt Lt Jonathan Bromiley.
He had a camera smuggled into the camp during his three years of captivity and was present when 76 prisoners famously made a bid for freedom on March 24, 1944.
All but three were captured, and 50 of them were executed under Adolf Hitler’s orders. Their heroics were immortalised in 1963 film The Great Escape starring Steve McQueen.
Flt Lt Bromiley was commissioned into the RAF in June 1941 and after training, was posted to 83 Squadron.
He was on a raid to Germany on the night of March 13, 1942, when he was shot down by night fighters near Nijmegen, Holland.
Five of the seven-man crew were killed, but Flt Lt Bromiley survived and was captured by the Germans.
The crash was announced by traitor William Joyce – nicknamed Lord Haw-Haw – in one of his broadcasts. He also mentioned Flt Lt Bromiley, who is thought to have played a fringe role in the escape bid.
The airman’s photos and medals are set to fetch £600 when they go under the hammer at Bosleys, in Marlow, Bucks. Auctioneer Bernard Pass said: We must reflect on the relief [Lord Haw-Haw’s] words must have brought to Flt Lt Bromiley’s family, knowing their loved one was alive.”
The archive, consigned by a private collector, will be sold on Wednesday.