Reenactors portray U.S., British, Polish, and other allied airmen prisoners of war and their belongings during the 80th anniversary of the Great Escape community event in Zagan, Poland, March 23, 2024. The event included displays of modern and historic U.S. Army tanks and aircraft alongside Polish military vehicles and equipment for event attendees to explore. Attendees witnessed the commemoration of the airmen’s daring escape through Tunnel Harry and the deaths of those prisoners that were recaptured by the Nazi forces. Originally touted as inescapable by the German command, allied airman dug three escape tunnels over the course of a year, with 76 attempting escape on the night of March 24, 1944. Of the 76 that managed to escape before the effort was discovered by the guards, only three ultimately made it to allied territory, with the rest recaptured and 50 of those murdered by the order of Adolph Hitler. The murders of the escapees resulted in international condemnation and Gestapo officers responsible for the war crime were sentenced to death at the Nuremberg trials following the war.
Date Taken: | 03.23.2024 |
Date Posted: | 03.26.2024 07:27 |
Photo ID: | 8305917 |
VIRIN: | 240323-A-DP764-9897 |
Resolution: | 6720x4480 |
Size: | 6.6 MB |
Location: | ZAGAN, PL |
Hometown: | POZNAN, PL |
Web Views: | 66 |
Downloads: | 5 |
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