Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Last 'Great Escaper' dies

Jack Harrison, the last survivor of the famous attempt to break out of German POW camp Stalag Luft III, has died aged 97.

The 'Great Escape' breakout in March 1944 saw 200 prisoners try to escape through the a tunnel codenamed ‘Harry’.

Mr Harrison, an RAF pilot shot down in Holland in 1942, was 98th in line to enter the tunnel.

But he never made it in as German guards spotted number 77 crawling from the tunnel.

Of those who did make it out of the camp, only three made it home. Fifty of those recaptured were executed.

So in some ways Mr Harrison did have a lucky escape - after the war he returned to his wife and teaching job in Scotland and outlived all others who took part in the 'Great Escape'.

Read more about Jack Harrison’s life on his tribute page.

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