[BITList] WW11 Escape Tunnel

[franka]

Untouched for almost seven decades, the tunnel used in the Great Escape 
has finally been unearthed.
The 111-yard passage nicknamed 'Harry' by Allied prisoners was sealed by 
the Germans after the audacious break-out from the PoW camp Stalag Luft 
III in western Poland.
Despite huge interest in the subject, encouraged by the film starring 
Steve McQueen, the tunnel remained undisturbed over the decades because 
it was behind the Iron Curtain and the Soviet authorities had no 
interest in its significance.
Description: Description: Unearthed: The entrance to the tunnel, which 
lay untouched for almost seven decades
Unearthed: The entrance to the tunnel, which lay untouched for almost 
seven decades
But at last British archaeologists have excavated it, and discovered its 
remarkable secrets.
Many of the bed boards which had been joined together to stop it 
collapsing were still in position. And the ventilation shaft, 
ingeniously crafted from used powdered milk containers known as Klim 
Tins, remained in working order. Scattered throughout the tunnel, which 
is 30ft below ground, were bits of old metal buckets, hammers and 
crowbars which were used to hollow out the route.
A total of 600 prisoners worked on three tunnels at the same time. They 
were nicknamed Tom, Dick and Harry and were just 2ft square for most of 
their length.
It was on the night of March 24 and 25, 1944, that 76 Allied airmen 
escaped through Harry. Barely a third of the 200 prisoners -- many in 
fake German uniforms and civilian outfits and carrying false identity 
papers -- who were meant to slip away managed to leave before the alarm 
was raised when escapee number 77 was spotted.
Description: Description: Tunnel vision: A tunnel reconstruction showing 
the trolley system, tried out, below, by Frank, 89
Tunnel vision: A tunnel reconstruction showing the trolley system, tried 
out, below, by Frank, 89
Description: Description: Bitter-sweet memories: Gordie King, 91, made 
an emotional return to Stalag Luft III
Bitter-sweet memories: Gordie King, 91, made an emotional return to 
Stalag Luft III
Only three made it back to Britain. Another 50 were executed by firing 
squad on the orders of Adolf Hitler, who was furious after learning of 
the breach of security.
In all, 90 boards from bunk beds, 62 tables, 34 chairs and 76 benches, 
as well as thousands of items including knives, spoons, forks, towels 
and blankets, were squirreled away by the Allied prisoners to aid the 
escape plan under the noses of their captors.
Although the movie might suggest otherwise, no Americans were involved 
in the actual operation. Most were British and the others were from 
countries including Canada, Poland and Australia.
Description: Description: Discoveries: The site of the tunnel, recently 
excavated by British archaeologists
Discoveries: The site of the tunnel, recently excavated by British 
archaeologists
Description: Description: War classic: Steve McQueen on the set of the 
classic movie, The Great Escape
War classic: Steve McQueen on the set of the classic movie, The Great Escape
The latest dig, over three weeks in August, located the entrance to 
Harry, which was originally concealed under a stove in Hut 104. The team 
also found another tunnel, called George, whose exact position had not 
been charted. It was never used as the 2,000 prisoners were forced to 
march to other camps as the Red Army approached in January 1945. 
Watching the excavation was Gordie King, 91, an RAF radio operator, who 
was 140th in line to use Harry and therefore missed out. 'This brings 
back such bitter-sweet memories,' he said as he wiped away tears. 'I'm 
amazed by what they've found.'


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