Roger Bushell, also known as “Big X,” was a British RAF officer who is best known for his role in planning the “Great Escape” from Stalag Luft III during World War II. Bushell was one of the 76 prisoners who managed to escape from the camp on the night of March 24, 1944. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the escape of Roger Bushell.
Stalag Luft III was a German POW camp that was built specifically for captured Allied airmen. The camp was designed to be escape-proof, with deep trenches, barbed wire, and guard towers surrounding the perimeter. Despite these measures, Roger Bushell and his fellow prisoners were determined to escape.
Bushell was a natural leader, and he quickly gained the trust and respect of his fellow prisoners. He was one of the main organizers of the Great Escape, which was designed to get as many prisoners out of the camp as possible. The plan involved digging three tunnels, which were named Tom, Dick, and Harry. The tunnels were dug using spoons and other improvised tools, and they were supported by wooden boards and bed frames.
The escape was planned meticulously, with each prisoner having a specific role to play. Bushell himself was supposed to be one of the last prisoners to escape, in order to give the other prisoners a head start. However, on the night of the escape, things did not go according to plan.
One of the tunnels, Tom, was discovered by the Germans just as the escape was about to begin. This meant that the other tunnels, Dick and Harry, had to be used instead. The prisoners had to move quickly, and many of them were caught by the guards as they tried to escape. Bushell himself was captured just a few miles from the camp.
76 men escaped the prison in the other tunnels. Most got recaptured immediately outside the camp. Of the 76 men, only 3 made it home to England after the escape. 23 men were sent back to the camp. Hitler personally ordered the execution of 50 of the men that participated in the Great Escape.
Despite the failure of the Great Escape, Bushell and his fellow prisoners had managed to achieve something remarkable. They had shown that even in the most difficult of circumstances, it was possible to maintain a sense of hope and optimism. The story of the Great Escape has inspired countless people over the years, and it continues to be a source of inspiration to this day.
In conclusion, Roger Bushell played a key role in the Great Escape from Stalag Luft III during World War II. Although the escape was ultimately unsuccessful, it demonstrated the determination and resilience of the Allied prisoners, and it remains one of the most remarkable stories of the war. Bushell himself became a symbol of the fighting spirit of the Allied forces, and his legacy continues to inspire people around the world to this day.
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/greatescape/three.html
https://www.history.com/news/great-escape-wwii-nazi-stalag-luft-iii
