Many books have been written on the subject matter of Colditz. They range from personal accounts forming part of an individual serviceman’s memoirs to full and thorough research specifically on Oflag IVC. This section seeks to provide a comprehensive review of the books available, a lengthy project in itself.

‘Camera in Colditz’ alternatively titled ’Colditz, The Great Escapes’:

Review: Ron Baybutt’s book pictorially gives an account of many of Oflag IVC, Colditz Castle’s great escapes by some of the Allied Officer POWs imprisoned there during WW2. The book is put together using photos taken by Lange the town, and Camp, photographer. Once an escape was discovered it was customary for the unsuccessful escapee to be made to pose for Lange’s camera. The resulting photo being used as part of the escape museum’s ever growing collection and used to educate security officers at other German POW camps. Lange also took pictures of the POWs who were allowed to purchase them as postcards and send them home. Nearly all of the old war time photos of Colditz we know today we can thank Lange for. This book is testament to his photographic ability. The book is meant as an easy read which can be picked up and read at any point, not an in depth study of Colditz. It achieves it’s objectives and really is worth purchasing. Great book.

‘The Colditz Story’:

Review: The first of Pat Reid’s 3 books on Colditz this timeless classic covers his period in Laufen and then Colditz and ends following his own successful escape from Colditz. Reid, as well as having been Oflag IVC’s Escape Officer until his escape and an expert lock-picker, was also very talented with a pen. At times Reid can be accussed of playing the ‘jolly school boy’ tune a little too often but what is not in doubt is his ability to take the reader back to a very dark time where the only luminating light of hope was the flicker offered by the irrepresible men of Colditz. This for many is their first Colditz book. It should be. This is a must for anyone interested in Colditz or indeed WW2 POW Camp stories in general. It really is a timeless classic. The hardback versions contain some beautiful drawings by John Watton, a Colditz POW.

‘The Latter Days’:

Review: The 2nd of Reid’s books specifically on Colditz does not disappoint. The story follows on in time from where the first book left off. Reid and his 3 companions have escaped but life in Oflag IVC goes on. Reid uses accounts by Howe (the 2nd Escape Officer - and longer serving one) and several other former POWs to build up a vivid and extremely descriptive account of life at the POW camp. The men continue to try to go under, though and over walls as well as out of the front door dressed as Germans. Reid accurately captures the triumph of hope over adversity in a thrilling and compelling way. If you could not put down The Colditz Story then you will read this in a day or two. A gripping read.

‘Colditz, The Full Story’:

Review: In Reid’s 3rd and final book focusing exclusively on Oflag IVC, Colditz he adopts a different style of writing from his first 2, written some 25 years previously. In this book he discusses life at Colditz from the point of view of POWs from all the different nationalities that made up the camp inhabitants. The passing of time had allowed Reid to bring in to his stories more background information surrounding events outside the camp and the influence they had on matters inside. The lapse of time between his first two and his third also allowed Reid to draw on memoirs of former POWs subsequently separated by the Iron Wall which, by the time of writing, had begun to crumble. Although some may say the book may have lost some of the narrative description of the first two this is a different type of book with a different message. It is an important book for any Colditz enthusiast and well worth owning.

‘Colditz, The German Story’:

Review: Reinhold Eggers’ pre war occupation as a school teacher was an ideal apprentiship for what WW2 had in store for him. This book, Eggers’ account of his time at Oflag IVC, Colditz at times resembles the diary of a school teacher ranting and raving about his charges yet at the same time possesing a respect for them. Eggers described the POWs as ‘our friends the enemy’. Although not the most popular of German Officers with the POWs, they often thought him ‘treakly’ (maybe he reminded the young men of an unpopular school master they had known only a few years previous) he did have their respect. This book, written a handful of years after the famous Reid publications, ‘The Colditz Story’ and ‘The Latter Days’, it gives a fascinating insight from the German point of view, be it just Egger’s own. As a Camp Officer, and later the Security Officer, he was perfectly placed to reveal many things that at the time Reid and the other Allied writers did not know. Were there stooges? How were tunnels discovered? etc etc etc. As a piece of literature it sometimes does not flow as easily as say Reid but nevertheless it is a fascinating read. I often say this should, after the above 2 Reid books, be your 3rd addition to your Colditz collection. No Colditz enthusiast can be without it.

‘Colditz Recaptured’:

Review: Reinhold Eggers was a Camp Officer (took Appels etc) and later on a Security Officer at Oflag IVC, Colditz. He was therefore well placed to have observed many of the Allied Officer POWs as well as knowing many of the German personalities. After his release from 10 years of Russian imprisonment he renewed aquaintances with some of the former POWs and in this book, Eggers’ second, he gets some of them to recount various tales of their times at Colditz. What is particularly interesting is that this is a truly international book as the POWs are from many different nations and many of them do not have well known published works of their own. Finally, and perhaps most interesting of all, Eggers provides some fascinating details on his former Kommandants and brother officers which forms just about our only account of them in writing. A book for any serious Colditz enthusiast.

‘Colditz Last Stop’:

Review: Having in my possession hundreds of military history books and dozens and dozens on Colditz I have to say this is one of my favourites. This book does not set out to be a piece of socio-economic-political history but instead, as one would assume when purchasing, it is an account of what experiences Jack Pringle went through during WW2 as a prolific escaper. Anyone interested in Colditz will be captivated when reading of Pringle’s role (along with SAS founder David Sterling) in the liberation of the Castle from within while the Americans took the town. This is not such a well known book in the Colditz enthusiasts circle but it is one that is well worth reading. While not excusing any ‘politically incorrect’ comments a greater appreciation of the circmstances that existed at the time would perhaps be more profitable (e.g. Churchill’s nephew gave lectures on the virtues of Communism while a prisoner at Colditz). Incidentally, my site contains a video interview of Jack discussing his daring escape from the Italian verison of Colditz, i.e. Gavi.

‘Colditz’:

Review: The book accompanies a TV series made several years ago now but is still periodically shown on various UK cable channels. The book does not live up to the high standard set by the series as the programmes carried interviews with some of the veteran Colditz POWs as well as some rather interesting reconstructions at the castle. The book skims the surface and at times one may question the accuracy of some of the information given. That said, it is a brave attempt to cover a huge subject matter and what the author has achieved is to get more people interested in Colditz by providing them with a very interesting read.

‘The Colditz Myth’:

Review: The book uses a contentious title to tempt the reader and one wonders whether the publishers/author would have been better avoiding the Colditz cliche to sell the book. I say this as the book stands as a fine piece of research in it’s own right and does not need to alienate many of it’s potential purchasers (i.e. Colditiz enthusiasts) by using the chosen title. The book is not designed to be a ‘bedtime read’ in the style that some readers of Colditz related books are used to but instead is a book that has been thoroughly researched and has been put together well. For those that want to go further into the story behind POWs in WW2 it is a very useful book to possess and I have used it on numerous occasions as a reference book. You will do well to let this piece of work occupy a position on your book shelf.