The True Story of the Great Escape

Stalag Luft III, March 1944

By: Jonathan F. Vance, Simon Pearson - foreword

Narrated by: Paul Woodson

The real history behind the classic war movie and the men who plotted the daring escape from a Nazi POW camp.

Between dusk and dawn on the night of March 24-25, 1944, a small army of Allied soldiers crawled through tunnels in Germany in a covert operation the likes of which the Third Reich had never seen. The prison break from Stalag Luft III in Eastern Germany was the largest of its kind in the Second World War. Seventy-nine Allied soldiers and airmen made it outside the wire - but only three made it outside Nazi Germany. Fifty were executed by the Gestapo.

In this book Jonathan Vance tells the incredible story that was made famous by the 1963 film The Great Escape. It is a classic tale of prisoners and their wardens in a battle of wits and wills. The brilliantly conceived escape plan is overshadowed only by the colorful, daring (and sometimes very funny) crew who executed it - literally under the noses of German guards. From the men's first days in Stalag Luft III and the forming of bonds among them, to the tunnel building, amazing escape, and eventual capture, Vance's history is a vivid, compelling look at one of the greatest "exfiltration" missions of all time.

©2019 Jonathan F. Vance (P)2021 Tantor

The Non-Movie True Story

The author did a great job introducing the backgrounds of themany individuals involved. Also, the work highlights the many escape projects that were ongoing in the various prison camps. The genius of the many involved in planning and facilitating each escape detail is amazing. The way the systematic murders of the 57 is presented appropriately, along with the shock of those that found out about the horrific deeds over time was sobering.

Extremely Detailed

Extremely detailed. The author did a great deal of research. The narrator was very good.

Great Reveal

Great information from a great event that represents good over evil in spite of their deaths. Loved the pre-war details of their lives and incident information that resulted in their capture. My only wish is….. that they had delayed the escape long enough to lengthen the tunnel and had waited until the snow was gone!

Great Book

I enjoyed this true story very much, the narrator (Paul Woodson) was Excellent. Definitely Recommend.