Sam Basch, 11 March 2023
Sam told the story of four South Africans' participation in the escape from Stalag Luft III during the Second World War, 24/25 March 1944. Stalag Luft III held Western Allied air force personnel captive.
The escape was filmed as a box office hit titled The Great Escape where the facts were distorted to appeal to America.
Seventy-six prisoners escaped of which only three got away. The others were captured and 50 were murdered by the SS.
The camp was built on sandy soil to make digging tunnels impossible. Major Roger Bushnell, a South African by birth, came up with the plan. Initially three tunnels, Tom, Dick and Harry were dug. The roles of the South Africans were discussed as well as where and how they were captured.
The talk was richly illustrated with photographs and drawings.
