On June 6, 2019, an event was held to commemorate D-day. At this event, soldiers of the exercise Noble Jump participated. Also on the photo is the mayor of the city of Sagan, Poland. Soldiers from Norway, Germany France, Greece, Poland, Romania, Italy, Netherlands and the USA took part. —
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— License: Public domain
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many prisoners escaped from Stalag Luft III and what were their nationalities?
A total of 76 prisoners escaped from Stalag Luft III through the tunnel “Harry” on the night of March 24-25, 1944. They were a multinational group representing the global Allied effort. The escapers included men from the United Kingdom (the largest contingent), Canada, Poland, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Norway, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Lithuania, France, and Greece. This diversity underscores the international character of the camp and the escape operation.
2. Was the Great Escape a military success?
From a strategic perspective, yes. Although only three men made it to freedom, the primary military objective, as stated by organizer Roger Bushell, was to cause maximum disruption behind enemy lines. The escape forced the German High Command to divert vast resources—tens of thousands of police, Gestapo agents, and soldiers—to the manhunt. This occurred just weeks before the D-Day invasion, tying up personnel who could have been reinforcing defenses in France or fighting on other fronts. It was a significant intelligence and morale blow to the Third Reich.
3. How did the Great Escape influence international law?
The escape’s most significant legal impact came from its tragic aftermath: the murder of 50 recaptured Allied officers by the Gestapo on Hitler’s orders. This was a clear violation of the 1929 Geneva Convention, which dictates the humane treatment of prisoners of war. After the war, the British led a dedicated investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. The subsequent war crimes trials helped reinforce the principle of individual accountability for atrocities, regardless of whether one was “following orders.” This contributed to the body of international humanitarian law that governs armed conflict today.
4. What was the global reaction to the murders of the 50 escapers?
The German government tried to cover up the murders, initially claiming the 50 men had been shot while resisting capture or attempting another escape. However, the Allies learned the truth through diplomatic channels and intelligence. British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden formally announced the news to the House of Commons on May 19, 1944, denouncing it as an act of “cold-blooded butchery” and vowing to bring the criminals to justice. The news was broadcast globally, sparking outrage in Allied nations and reinforcing the narrative of Nazi brutality. It strengthened Allied resolve and became a potent piece of propaganda used to galvanize the war effort.
5. Were there Americans involved in the Great Escape?
Yes, American officers were involved in the planning and preparation of the Great Escape. They ran key departments, including “scrounging” for materials. However, in a twist of fate, the American prisoners were moved to a different compound within Stalag Luft III shortly before the escape took place, so none were among the 76 men who made it out of the tunnel. Their contributions to the immense preparatory effort were nonetheless crucial to the operation’s launch.
