How many escapes from colditz

In a scene reminiscent of the movie Shawshank Redemption , French officers worked 24 hours a day digging an underground tunnel in one of the most ambitious escape attempts at Colditz Castle. Two mining engineers from the group dug the entrance using handmade tools. The tunnel from the clock tower ran under the chapel and out to the castle wall. Songs and hymns from the chapel helped silence the noise.

They also developed their own personal sewing machine and dyed their prison clothes to make German uniforms. They even managed to have electric lighting in their tunnel. The legend goes that the Allied POWs drank all the wine and refilled it with their urine — but these are unsubstantiated claims at best. That same year, , he joined the ranks of the British Expeditionary Force and was awarded the Military Cross for repelling a German panzer division at Dunkirk a year later.

He arrived at Colditz Castle in February , and after hearing rumors that the SS had executed prisoners at another camp, he and others plotted to build a glider from within the walls of Colditz Castle.

The dramatic idea was supported by other inmates, including Bill Goldfinch and Jack Best, who created the blueprints. It was expected to be launched from a hole in the attic over the Mulde River 65 yards below. Although they were scheduled to fly to freedom, the glider never took flight because the US Army liberated the castle in Matt Fratus is a history staff writer for Coffee or Die. He prides himself on uncovering the most fascinating tales of history by sharing them through any means of engaging storytelling.

He writes for his micro-blog LateNightHistory on Instagram, where he shares the story behind the image. He is also the host of the Late Night History podcast. How many people escaped Alcatraz? Has anyone escaped alcatraz? Where was Colditz located? How many people escaped from montserrat volcano? How many people have sucesively escaped Alcatraz?

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He looked behind the workings of the clock to the floor below and saw something that shouldn't have been there: a ladder. He found a small boy and lowered him down into the small space. And the tunnel was found. The tunnel is still there and can be seen on the castle tour. The French had even put in electric lights for the entire underground portion and had a cart running on a track. Find out how some of the officers drove the guards crazy and what the men did for entertainment when they weren't escaping.

English language tours are available and visitors can see the prison yard, the prison chapel, theater, tunnel entrances and the rooms where the VIP prisoners were kept.

See the Colditz Castle webpage for dates, times and prices for the tours, plus which areas are currently available for visiting.

Photo courtesy of Pete Nowakiwskyj. The castle has undergone extensive renovation in recent years, which has been somewhat controversial. Understandably, structures do need to be painted and maintained, but many Colditz history buffs are concerned that historic aspects of the castle from the WW2 period may be forever lost in the desire to modernize and use the castle for other purposes.

In April , a youth hostel was installed in the section of the castle that housed the German garrison at Colditz, and a music academy was added in The castle buildings have been painted off-white and look a lot prettier than they did during the war years, but climbing the steep walkway and walking through the stone passages still gives one some feeling of what it must have been like.

Visiting the castle is a fascinating experience. Being here and seeing the strength of this castle inspires enormous respect for the men who were locked up here and who used all their wits and courage to get out. Photo courtesy of Ian Hall. An interesting collection of escape photographs and artifacts taken from the prisoners is on display in the castle museum formerly the solitary confinement cells.

The small town of Colditz is a charming collection of winding streets lined with half-timbered houses. Directly below the castle is a large market square Markt with a pleasant outdoor cafe where visitors can sit and admire the view. The Tourist Information Center is located on the street leading towards the castle just beyond the square.

Check here for more info on Colditz attractions. Mike Jones of the UK has created a great video with a virtual tour of the castle. See what the castle looks like now, along with lots of fascinating historical photos. Well done narration about the history, describing the escapes and pointing out the locations. Be sure to watch Part 2 also.

In German and English. In German. In addition to the tours given at the castle see above , there is also a popular tour of Colditz Castle by Military History Tours. Guests are met at the Berlin airport by the guide and given a three day tour of the castle and surrounding area, focusing on escape locations.

See Escape to Colditz tour for more info.