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"Tom", "Dick", and "Harry" (The Great Escape) being excavated!

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    #16
    I sat down with great expectations to watch this program...and wished that I hadn't. It was a total waste of 90 mins, they trashed the area with a digger, failed to locate then excavate 'Harry', found one tunnel that was not involved with the escape, an old scratch built wireless, a trolley axle and the remains of a ventilation bellows. Meanwhile some modern day crabs tried to emulate their illustrious forebears by fashioning escape tools, forgery etc and all fell sadly short of the mark.

    The best bit of the whole program were the interviews and interaction with the surviving ex-POWs.

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      #17
      After eagerly awaiting the showing of this programme, it was not what I was hoping for.

      I cannot beleive there was not a more suitable way to attempt to locate and subsequently explore 'Harry' than that. I imagine that there were several qualified Engineers watching that last night shouting "Nooooooooooo!!!!!" as the digger cut swathes in the ground around hut 104.

      The thoughts and recollections of the RAF and RCAF veterans was the only thing worth watching it for IMO.

      A shame really because the Great Escape remains an iconic moment in British military history which still generates huge interest.

      Regards Richard.
      Always looking for Luftwaffe Kampfflieger related document groups. In particular anything to Kampfgeschwader 2.

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        #18
        A bit like "Time Team".....****e!

        /Ian
        Photos/images copyright © Ian Jewison collection

        Collecting interests: Cavalry units, 1 Kavallerie/24 Panzer Division, Stukageschwader 1

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          #19
          RAF Pilot Greenhous (264 squadron) spent time at LultIII.
          Here's a short account of the action 13th may 1940 (6 Defiants and 6 Spits from 66 Squadron)

          Approaching Rotterdam, the crews of both flights saw about seven German Ju 87 Stukas (belonging to 12. Staffel of Lehrgeschwader 1) dive-bombing a target to the south-east.

          The Defiant's went in to the attack and a ferocious air battle developed. Shortly after, Bf 109s from 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26 joined the battle, which then developed into a series of individual dogfights.

          During the air battle over the Biesbosch, the gunner of L6977, Sergeant Fred Greenhalgh, claimed two Bf 109s before their own plane was hit and he bailed out from the damaged and rapidly descending aircraft. (Hoss: this is no easy task. Gunners didn't wear parachutes on this model of patrol fighter because of the confines of the gun turret. They had to retrieve them from inside the plane..then..put them on!!)

          Pilot Officer Patrick Greenhous, however, was under the impression that Greenhalgh was still aboard and tried to make an emergency landing putting the Defiant down in a meadow adjoining the Rijsdijk dyke in the Willemspolder at Oosteind, part of Oosterhout municipality. Greenhous landed safely, as did Greenhalgh by parachute, but both men were captured by German soldiers and transported to POW camps.
          Both men returned to England after 5yrs in captivity.

          Hope you enjoyed that Gents. This type of plane is of interest allow me to post some photos:
          Greenhous and his gunner Greenhalgh (photo taken after his capture) Yea. I know, strange names!!!
          More to follow...
          Attached Files

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            #20
            The plane pictured with some locals. Looks like the ladies are helping themselves to the tail fabric!!

            More....
            Attached Files

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              #21
              More....
              Attached Files

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                #22
                The world's sole surviving Defiant resides at RAF Hendon.
                Has no forward facing armament!

                Cheers
                Eric
                Attached Files

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                  #23
                  .

                  I read something about these with regards to the first few encounters where the Luftwaffe had no idea that there were no forward guns and tried to come up on their tails. Then when they figured that out it became quite dicey for the Pilots flying these! I think it was maybe "Voices from the Blitz" where i read that?


                  Pete

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                    #24
                    Thanks for all the updates and very interesting posts so far.
                    Somebody, after all, had to make a start. What we wrote and said is also believed by many others. They just don't dare express themselves as we did. Quote - Sophie Scholl - White Rose resistance group

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