TYCHOWO and ŻAGAŃ, Poland — U.S. Army Garrison Poland joined Polish officials, American veterans, and local communities in commemorating two powerful moments of World War II history: the 81st anniversary of the Great Escape in Żagań and the return of a former prisoner of war to Stalag Luft 4 in Tychowo.
On March 22, 2025, 101-year-old Lester Schrenk—who served as a B-17 ball turret gunner with the 92nd Bomb Group—stood once again on the ground where he had been held captive more than eight decades earlier. Schrenk was shot down over Denmark in 1944, captured by German forces, and imprisoned at several POW camps, including Stalag Luft 4. He later survived the brutal 86-day forced winter march across Germany before being liberated in 1945.
“Whoever thought I would make it 80 years later to be back at the same place?” Schrenk said. “Never in a million years did I expect to come back here.”
His visit, organized by The Rifle Organization and Andrew Biggio, was supported by U.S. Army Garrison Poland, V Corps, the 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion, and Soldiers from the 1st Armored Division. The journey began at the Podborsko train station—where thousands of Allied prisoners arrived by rail in 1944—and continued to the now-forested grounds where the camp once stood in Tychowo.
When asked how it felt to return, Schrenk replied, “It feels great.” Reflecting on the harsh conditions, he added, “I remember it being much, much colder than it is right now. The Polish people always treated us very, very well.”
“I can’t really answer why I came back,” he continued. “But I’m very glad to be back. It’s part of my history.”
In a moment that captured the spirit of reconciliation, Schrenk said, “To bring peace and shake hands, certainly. I’ve got no animosity towards anybody—not even my captors.”
Two days later, on March 24, U.S. Army Garrison Poland leadership participated in a formal ceremony at the P.O.W. Camps Museum in Żagań to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the Great Escape. Garrison Commander Col. Jesse Chace and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Jones joined Polish military representatives from the 11th Lubuskie Armored Cavalry Division, a Polish army band, and local officials to honor the 76 Allied prisoners who escaped Stalag Luft 3 in 1944. The event included a wreath-laying ceremony and a tour of the historic site led by museum director Marek Lazarz.
Among those in attendance was Danica Blezer, granddaughter of Flight Lieutenant Albert Henry Comber, a British POW who supported the escape effort through both forgery and tunnel work. “He was an artist, so he participated in the theater and created a lot of the sets and backdrops,” Blezer said. “But equally, because of that skill, he was utilized to participate as a forger for The Great Escape. He did a lot of the forgery for their passports, ID cards—things like that. But he was also a digger as well.”
Blezer said her grandfather had been among those prepared to escape the night the alarm was triggered. “He was ready to go when the alarm went off,” she said. “All of a sudden, all these hopes were dashed. He had to run back to the barracks and burn all the papers—all his hard work.”
Through both reflection and ceremony, the events highlighted the enduring legacy of Allied POWs—and how U.S. Army Garrison Poland continues to stand with the people and places that carry those stories forward.
| Date Taken: | 04.02.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.01.2025 19:39 |
| Story ID: | 494322 |
| Location: | TYCHOWO, ZAGAN, PL |
| Web Views: | 54 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, WWII Veteran’s Return and Great Escape Ceremony Reflect Enduring POW Legacy in Poland, by Bryan Araujo, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
