16th April 1945

This section of the website looks in detail at the final days of Oflag IVC. The section is divided into the following topic areas:

POW preparations: how the prisoners knew the end was is reach and how dangerous the situation was for them now that they knew they were hostages of Himmler. The section discovers how plans were made, and subsequently put into action, to forge links with anti-Nazis in the town.

Early warning system: just how did the prisoners know of changing events literally as they happened?

German Viewpoint: the battle for Colditz Town as seen by the Guard Company’s point of view.

POWs take control: how the SBO, Lt. Col Tod and his men delivered the castle to the liberators without bloodshed.

Americans attack: fascinating first hand accounts of members of the 273rd as they describe the battle for Colditz Town.

Roles reversed: the immediate aftermath from several German points of view.

A taste of freedom: accounts of former POWs as they immediately left the castle and wondered the town.

Homeward bound: former POWs describe their flights to freedom.