ColditzCastle.Net - ‘Keeping alive the spirit of Colditz’

Oflag IVC, Colditz, the WW2 POW Sonderlager or ‘Bad Boys Camp’ for Allied Officers. 

“The whole story of Colditz will, no doubt, one day be told, and it will make an enthralling story; but it must be written by one of the men who was there.”

‘Escape and Liberation, 1940-1945′ by A.J.Evans

These words, by the author of The Escape Club, one of the greatest escape books of the First World War and one which inspired Major Pat Reid, British Escape Officer at Colditz from 1940-1942, to ultimately make a ‘Home Run’ succinctly describe my own personal views of the Colditz Story. Therefore, wherever possible, this website is narrated by the words of the prisoners who were there who went on to describe their experiences in their own words.

Quotations are attributed to the relevant author and I would urge all those who view this website, and who feel inspired by it, to go on to read all the relevant books and do what they can to keep the memory of these men, of all nationalities, on whatever ’side’ to live on through generations to come. To help you in this quest there is a comprehensive booklist in the ‘Links’ section, as well as information on how to visit Colditz and make the most of your stay in the ‘Trips to Colditz’ section.

This website has been constructed with a view to generate interest in the history of Colditz Castle as a WW2 POW camp and also encourage today’s generation and generations to come to visit the Castle and the surrounding area.

The website project is a long one and the areas which have been concentrated on first are ones which people might not know as well as the more famous escapes - which will be covered in due course.

Gavin Worrell, 2008

Gavin Worrell - pictured left, standing outside the Chapel - is an accountant, trained barrister and Colditz Historian and lives in Sunbury on Thames, near London. Regarding Colditz, he has acted as an advisor & guide to the MOD and British Armed Forces, has worked with various aspects of the media (newspaper, magazines, TV), computer games companies, gives private lectures on Colditz and occassionally takes groups and private tours to Colditz and is honoured to be a member of The Colditz Society. From time to time he also gives short talks to schools/Cub Scouts etc on a voluntary basis. He also helps wherever possible in providing whatever information he may have to relatives of former ‘residents’. If you are an enthusiast and have any questions please just e-mail.

Why not play Robert Farnon’s Colditz BBC TV Series Theme whilst browsing the site: colditz-tv-theme-click.wma