“Great Escape” survivor dies at 97
Dr. Chiroux sends us a link to a story about the guy, Jack Harrison, that may be the last survivor of the Great Escape from a Nazi POW camp which became the basis of a 60s movie of the incident.
As a camp gardener, Harrison helped dispose of the dirt excavated from three escape tunnels. He was 98th on the list of some 200 inmates designated to make the escape on March 24, 1944, but only 76 got away before guards detected the breakout and raised the alarm.
The breakout was celebrated in the 1963 film “The Great Escape.”
Only three men managed to reach safety. Adolf Hitler ordered the execution of 50 recaptured escapers, and 23 others were returned to custody.
We are honored that he was able to spend 66 more years among us. His son and daughter’s statement;
“To others he was considered a war hero, but to us he was much more than that. He was a family man first and foremost as well as a church elder, Rotarian, scholar, traveler and athlete,” his son Chris and daughter Jane said in a statement.
Blue skies, Jack.
Category: Blue Skies
When I was a boy I saw all the older Dads, Uncles & Grampas that limped or had scars, patches or missing parts. I remember if you asked them about it they would just say something about the “The War” and change the subject. If they had PTSD I never saw it. If it hurt I never saw it. I do remember seeing them tear up when the flag was raised or the anthem sung. I am a veteran who humbly stands at the foot of the mountain were stands these great men of days long past and today I see new mountains were stand the great men, and women, mostly younger than I before whom I also feel humbled. To all those who have served and more so to those who have served and suffered, Thank you for your service.
Wing Commander Ken Rees is still alive, or at least he was for an interview this past January. I think there are one or two others as well. More info if I have the time to dig.
Rees’ account of the actual escape here –
http://www.ateal.co.uk/greatescape/
Rees’ interview here –
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1246656/I-owe-life-Nazis-foiled-Great-Escape-says-survivor.html
Regardless, yes, Blue Skies Jack…………….