This part of the site is currently undergoing a major re-write off-line.

To escape, indeed to engage in the activity of preparing to escape, and even the mere thought of one day rejoining the fight against the regime of tyranny behind their jailers was often sufficient to maintain the sanity of men at the prime of their lives.

During the early days of Oflag IVC’s existence (i.e. the winter of 1940) the prisoners were often too physically weak to seriously consider escaping as an option. Many had had a very bad time of it whilst going through battle, then the degrading process of capture and the transportation from the battle zones of North West France and their subsequent incarceration at locations such as Laufen. As the months went by both personal physical conditions (thanks mainly to Red Cross Food Parcels) the weather and the preparation for, and aids to do with, escape vastly improved.

The pages on the left will deal with some aspects of escape history from Oflag IVC. It can only hope to scratch the surface of what these men did by way of patience, ingenuity and courage but one hopes the reader will consider that justice has been done towards their efforts.

In time as much detail as possible will be incorporated into the site.

UNSUCCESSFUL & SUCCESSFUL ESCAPES AT COLDITZ

Year Unsuccessful Successful Grand

Bri Dut Fra Pol Tot Bri Dut Fre Pol Tot Total

1940 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1941 33 9 3 10 55 0 3 10 1 14 69

1942 31 7 7 8 53 9 3 1 0 13 66

1943 22 1 2 0 25 0 0 1 0 1 26

1944 21 0 0 0 21 2 0 0 0 2 23

1945 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0