Stalag Luft III Sagen. 'The Great Escape'

[stgeorge64]

I have a few more photos but I think I have captured most in the ones shown. Being an English patriot I have seen the 'Great Escape' every bank holiday weekend for more years than I care to remember. Actually visiting the place was an amazing feeling. The courage, determination and dexterity of the prisoners cannot be underestimated and the terrible feeling of loss at the memorial cannot be put into words. I hope the photos may be of some use and if you are in area, make a visit and you will not regret it.

Regards Richard.

[JOHN JONES]

Hello Richard,
Many thanks for sharing.
Its good to see this stuff preserved.

I am sure in mid winter, the locals would appreciate a
glass domed area and a Coffe shop selling the latest mixes
But the station seems to ozze histroy even in the pictures.
Although two generations have passed, those platforms must have
soaked up 1000's sounds of men and the crunch of boots as history
passed thru. I hope its preserved for a lot longer.
( Thats unless they have their version of Railtrack)

CHEERS,
John.

[GEBIRGS-JAGER]

Thanks for posting great photo's.How long does it take from Berlin by car. Brian

[Duane E]

Excellent photos. The Great Escape is one movie I never get tired of watching. Duane

[N.C. Wyeth]

All of the original POW's (British, American, and Canadian) from the camp (and the escape!) that were still alive had their 50th reunion here in Cincinnati back in the early 90's. I did most of the printing for the brochures, place-cards, name-tags, etc., and was invited to attend. They had a very beautiful presentation in the Main Hall of a downtown Hotel on a Saturday, a wonderful Dinner that evening, and an unbelievable display of photographs, memorabilia, films, and artifacts for the public to view all weekend. It was such a wonderful thing to be a small part of . . . .

I still have all of my "mementos" from that day, but nothing compares to the memories of hearing all of the stories and seeing the fellows get back together after so many years . . . .

Brad

[IMPERIAL QUEST]

Wonderful look into history. I find it absolutely incredible that we can look at the very clock in the station that was seen by the escaped prisoners.......unbelievable.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Thanks Richard for another great thread!

Cheers, Ade.

[frank savage]

Really a great thread!

Thanks! Frank

[Richard W.]

I found your pictures to be very moving.

Thank you for sharing them with us.

[sscrooge]

gt escape

this is a great thread with some great pics thanks dave

[Johnnie]

Excellent thread and great pics. One of my favorite boyhood movies. Have it on DVD now and watch it along with other WW2 classics on veterans Day, time permitting. Your trip was surely a "Great Adventure"
Best regards,
Johnnie

[TerryG]

Very interesting, thanks

[spectre]

Great thread Richard! I read the book several times as a teenager and don't know how many times I've seen the movie. Its great to see that it is remembered so well.
Alan

[stgeorge64]

Gentlemen

Thank you very much indeed for your comments on my thread. Brian, it took a little over 3 hours to drive from Berlin to Sagen, although that was with a short delay at the Polish border however, whatever the time it would of taken it was well worth it.

I have a few additions to this thread which I hope may also prove of interest. Further places of interest I visited concerned RAF Pilot great escaper 'Jimmy James' who went through the tunnel and managed to travel nearly 100 miles from Sagen before being captured at Hirschberg railway station (incidently he did not travel from Sagen station). The epic storey (and it really is epic!) cannot be recommended enough. 'Moonless Night' is an amazing book.

Regards Richard.

[stgeorge64]

#31...........Jimmy James was captured in the ticket office at this railway station in Hirschberg whilst waiting in the queue to purchase a ticket..........