JR. on WAF - medamilitaria@gmail.com

Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

The 2 Luftwaffe POW's that almost got away

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    The 2 Luftwaffe POW's that almost got away

    I thought the movie about the escape of oblt Franz von Werra was exciting stuff, and would be an interesting subject for a movie re-make, but then I was reading about the exploits of Leutnant Heinz Schnabel (I./JG 3) and Oberleutnant Harry Wappler (KG 27) who managed to escape from the UK POW camp 15 (some say Camp 13) in Carlisle, and then, dressed as Dutch pilots, managed to steal a Miles Magister trainer and then attempt to fly it to occupied Holland, the only thing that stopped them was that the aircraft only had a half a tank of fuel, and they had to return to England and attempt to refuel. It was then that they were discovered as escaped POW's, and were shipped off to Canada to spend the rest of the war there.

    I read about their escape in a book on U-Boats "The Death Of The U-Boats" by Edwin P. Hoyt (Page 105) where he wrongly stated that they attempted their escape in a Hurricane, but after a bit of searching discovered the story, and in my humble opinion, that is another great war story that would make into a very interesting movie....

    I hope this is OK to post here, and there are one or two who find this of some interest as well.

    Best wishes

    Bob

    #2
    Hi Bob,

    I do

    I believe Von Werra also tried to pass for as a Dutch pilot, but how did they get a uniform that resembled a Dutch one?

    What was the year of their attempt?

    Regards, Thomas

    Comment


      #3
      Hi Thomas,

      Their escape attempt was in November 1941, and re the Dutch uniforms, they probably wore standard RAF flight suits, probably swiped from somewhere along the way during their escape bid. Yes von Werra posed as a Dutch flyer as well.

      -Bob

      Comment

      Users Viewing this Thread

      Collapse

      There is currently 1 user online. 0 members and 1 guests.

      Most users ever online was 10,032 at 08:13 PM on 09-28-2024.

      Working...
      X