Prompt Cast
The Great Escape: The Largest Prison Break of World War II
TLDR Allied prisoners of war in Stalag Luft III executed an elaborate plan to escape from an allegedly escape-proof prison camp during World War II, resulting in the largest prison break of the war. Despite facing numerous challenges, including tight security measures and German suspicion, the prisoners managed to dig three tunnels, make civilian clothes and forged documents, and bribe guards to obtain necessary items, ultimately leading to the escape of three men.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
During World War II, Allied prisoners of war in Stalag Luft III executed an elaborate plan to escape from an allegedly escape-proof prison camp, resulting in the largest prison break of the war.
02:20
Stalag Luft III was a prison camp specifically designed to hold Allied air crews shot down over German territory during World War II, and it was built with measures to prevent tunneling and escape, such as sandy soil that easily collapsed and elevated barracks to prevent easy access to the ground.
04:23
In Stalagluft III, a supposedly escape-proof prison camp, prisoners used a hollowed-out vaulting horse to dig a tunnel almost 30 meters long, allowing three men to successfully escape in October 1943.
06:28
Prisoners in Stalagluft III dug three tunnels, named Tom, Dick, and Harry, under tight security measures, using stolen wood, improvised air ventilation systems, and modified powdered milk cans, while also devising a method to dispose of the excavated dirt, in order to escape the prison camp.
08:26
The prisoners had to make civilian clothes and forged documents, and they had to bribe German guards with chocolate and cigarettes to obtain necessary items; the Germans became suspicious and transferred some prisoners to a different camp, and the Germans discovered and destroyed one of the tunnels, causing a delay in the escape plan; eventually, the tunnel named Harry was believed to be ready and the escape was scheduled for March 24, 1944, but there were various problems during the escape, including a collapse inside the tunnel and an air raid.
10:26
Hitler initially demanded that all the escaped prisoners be captured and executed, but eventually agreed to have 50 of them executed; a manhunt took place and 73 of the 76 escapees were caught, with only three managing to make it to freedom; the execution of the escape prisoners was considered a war crime and members of the Gestapo were brought up on charges at the Nuremberg trials.
12:35
The escape from Stalag Luft III is considered one of the greatest prison breaks in history.
