Edward Rickenbacker was born in Colombus, Ohio on the 8th October 1890. As a young man at the start of the first world war, Edward was a leading racing car driver and was subsequently given the role of being chauffeur to General John Pershing.
By March 1918, Edward grew restless of driving and wanted to do something more for the war effort and so joined the US Air Service. He soon became one of the US's leading flying aces after having 26 victories to his name in a short period of time. Whilst on a reconnaissance mission, Edward single handedly attacked seven enemy aircraft and was awarded the Medal of Honour for his bravery.
Edward survived the war and later went on to fight during the second world war as well.
Sunday 29 March 2015
Wednesday 25 March 2015
The Great War - Flying Aces
1890, Hampshire, a boy named Lanoe Hawker was born. Years later, at the outbreak of the first world war, Lanoe joined the Royal Flying Corp and was flying the BE-2. During April 1915, Lanoe attacked the Zeppelin Plant at Gontrobe and was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Order. In July that same year, Lanoe became the first fighter pilot ever to be awarded the Victoria Cross and was also promoted to the rank of Major.
On the 23rd Novemeber 1916, Lanoe was flying an Airco DH-2, whilst taking part in what would be known as one of the longest dogfights of the first world war, was shot down and killed by German flying ace Manfred Von Richthofen.
On the 23rd Novemeber 1916, Lanoe was flying an Airco DH-2, whilst taking part in what would be known as one of the longest dogfights of the first world war, was shot down and killed by German flying ace Manfred Von Richthofen.
Life At War - Day by Day
25th March 1915
A US F-4 submarine has sunk off of the coast of Hawaii, killing 21 men. A German U-Boat has torpedoed the merchant ship Medea, casualties unknown at this time.
A US F-4 submarine has sunk off of the coast of Hawaii, killing 21 men. A German U-Boat has torpedoed the merchant ship Medea, casualties unknown at this time.
Monday 23 March 2015
Life AT War - Day by Day
23rd March 1915
Around 700 Jewish men have formed a fighting force to be known under the name Zion Mule Corp. They will be under the British Armies Rule and will help fight where ever it is needed.
Around 700 Jewish men have formed a fighting force to be known under the name Zion Mule Corp. They will be under the British Armies Rule and will help fight where ever it is needed.
Sunday 22 March 2015
The Great War - Flying Aces
Ontario, 1894 a boy named William Bishop was born. Years later in 1914, this young man joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force, but by 1915, he had transferred to the British Royal Flying Corp. He high skills meant that he was soon promoted to Commander of the Flying Foxes. In twelve days he had scored 25 victories and so was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
On the 2nd June 1917, William single handedly attacked a German aerodrome and was awarded the Victoria Cross. By the end of the war, William had a staggering 72 victories to his name and continued his service in the Canadian Airforce.
On the 2nd June 1917, William single handedly attacked a German aerodrome and was awarded the Victoria Cross. By the end of the war, William had a staggering 72 victories to his name and continued his service in the Canadian Airforce.
Wednesday 18 March 2015
Life AT War - Day by Day
18th March 1915
A British attack in Dardanelles has failed.
The French battleship Bouvet has exploded, killing 640 people.
A British attack in Dardanelles has failed.
The French battleship Bouvet has exploded, killing 640 people.
The Great War - Flying Aces
On the 26th September 1897, Arthur Rhys-Davids was born in Forest Hill. Aged just 19, on the 28th August 1916, Arthur joined the Royal Flying Corps as a Second Lieutenant. After completing his training, Arthur was sent to France, arriving in early 1917. He flew the SE-5, a plane which was extremely popular amongst the Allied pilots for its manoeuvrability as well as its speed and easy to fly status.
Arthur's first combat flight took place on 7th May 1917, where he was unfortunate to be witness to flying ace Albert Ball being killed in action. By the end of the month, Arthur had five victories to his name, probably more determined to fight the enemy after the events he had witnessed. He was now classed as one of the few Flying Aces.
Within six months of being in France, Arthur was awarded the Military Cross and just a few short months later was awarded the Military Cross and Bar. He also agreed to be painted by William Orpen.
On the 23rd September 1917, Arthur was one of the few pilots that helped to shoot down German flying ace Werner Voss. Despite his huge success, on the 27th October 1917, Arthur went missing east of Roeselare. It took until 18th March 1918, for it to be declared that Arthur was killed in action, after being shot down by Karl Gallwitz.
Arthur had achieved so much during his short life and had known no fear, he was just doing what he could to help win the war. Because of his efforts, he was post humorously awarded the Distinguished Service Order, although unfortunately, he would never know it.
Arthur's first combat flight took place on 7th May 1917, where he was unfortunate to be witness to flying ace Albert Ball being killed in action. By the end of the month, Arthur had five victories to his name, probably more determined to fight the enemy after the events he had witnessed. He was now classed as one of the few Flying Aces.
Within six months of being in France, Arthur was awarded the Military Cross and just a few short months later was awarded the Military Cross and Bar. He also agreed to be painted by William Orpen.
On the 23rd September 1917, Arthur was one of the few pilots that helped to shoot down German flying ace Werner Voss. Despite his huge success, on the 27th October 1917, Arthur went missing east of Roeselare. It took until 18th March 1918, for it to be declared that Arthur was killed in action, after being shot down by Karl Gallwitz.
Arthur had achieved so much during his short life and had known no fear, he was just doing what he could to help win the war. Because of his efforts, he was post humorously awarded the Distinguished Service Order, although unfortunately, he would never know it.
Wednesday 11 March 2015
The Great War - Flying Aces
In this next mini series I thought I would share with you some of the brave flying aces that fought on the Allies side during the First World War. In the previous mini series, you will have learnt about that types of aircraft that were used, so I thought it would be only fair to share with you some of the stories of the men that actually used them.
The first Ace I would like to share with you is unfortunately one of many that never saw the end of the war. He died aged just twenty years old and had the Victoria Cross, the Military Cross and the Croix De Guerre medals to his name. This is the story of Albert Ball...
Albert was born in Nottingham, England on 14th August 1896. At the outbreak of the war Albert had been studying Engineering but stopped to instead join the Sherwood Foresters. These were men that fought on the ground and were sent to many countries including France and India at the start of the war. But Albert was restless and so transferred to the new Royal Flying Corps in May 1916 and became just one of many pilots to provide air support during the Battle of the Somme.
By October that year, Albert had an astounding thirty victories to his name and was written about in newspapers back on the home front where he was hailed a hero. He was then promoted to Flight Commander of 56 Squadron where he became well respected amongst the other pilots.
But Albert's story comes to an abrupt end. On 6th May 1917, he engages in a dogfight with a German plane. The planes collided mid air and his body was later discovered in the wreckage. He had seen more than a boy his age should ever see and had carried out his role as fighter pilot to his best ability.
Albert's story continued to be written about back home but many people never knew about his death. Through the newspapers he had become an inspiration to aspiring pilots and a few men that were to become flying Aces themselves, joined up after hearing about one Albert Ball. To tell the public of his death would have lowered morale and would probably have stopped many of the pilots from joining up. It would have shown the true danger of flying aircraft on the Front Line.
The first Ace I would like to share with you is unfortunately one of many that never saw the end of the war. He died aged just twenty years old and had the Victoria Cross, the Military Cross and the Croix De Guerre medals to his name. This is the story of Albert Ball...
Albert was born in Nottingham, England on 14th August 1896. At the outbreak of the war Albert had been studying Engineering but stopped to instead join the Sherwood Foresters. These were men that fought on the ground and were sent to many countries including France and India at the start of the war. But Albert was restless and so transferred to the new Royal Flying Corps in May 1916 and became just one of many pilots to provide air support during the Battle of the Somme.
By October that year, Albert had an astounding thirty victories to his name and was written about in newspapers back on the home front where he was hailed a hero. He was then promoted to Flight Commander of 56 Squadron where he became well respected amongst the other pilots.
But Albert's story comes to an abrupt end. On 6th May 1917, he engages in a dogfight with a German plane. The planes collided mid air and his body was later discovered in the wreckage. He had seen more than a boy his age should ever see and had carried out his role as fighter pilot to his best ability.
Albert's story continued to be written about back home but many people never knew about his death. Through the newspapers he had become an inspiration to aspiring pilots and a few men that were to become flying Aces themselves, joined up after hearing about one Albert Ball. To tell the public of his death would have lowered morale and would probably have stopped many of the pilots from joining up. It would have shown the true danger of flying aircraft on the Front Line.
Tuesday 10 March 2015
International Women's Day Part 2
As promised here is part two of the stories of just some of the many heroines of the first world war.
On the 24th January 1862, Edith Wharton was born in New York City. Pre-war Edith had bought a apartment in Paris and at the outbreak of the first world war, she decided to move back to the apartment, situated on the Rue De Varenne. Here, Edith opened a sewing work room that would provide unemployed 'work-girls' meals & one franc in exchange for their work.
In the autumn of 1914, Paris became overrun with Belgian refugees after Germany had invaded Belgium. These people had nothing and no where to go. Edith again decided to help by setting up Hostels specifically for the refugees. Not only did it offer a place to stay, Edith also arranged meals and clothing and eventually started an employment agency in order to help the refugees find work.
Throughout the war, Edith worked tirelessly, supporting charities who helped refugees, the injured, the unemployed and the displaced. She even organised concerts which provided musicians with an income. On 18th April 1916, Edith was awarded a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.
Edith worked hard to raise funds to help various charities. Most of the money received were donations sent over from the American people, who wanted to help with the war effort. Edith was able to raise tens of thousands of dollars, which enabled her to open tuberculosis hospitals after an the disease broke out in the trenches.
On the 9th August 1867 Evelina Haverfield was born in Kingussie in Scotland. A well known British Suffragette and aid worker, at the outbreak of the first world war, Evelina set up the Women's Emergency Corps. In 1915, Evelina joined Elsie Inglis and worked tirelessly helping the injuried in Serbia, until they were evacuated in 1917.
Flora Sandes was born on 22nd January 1876 in Yorkshire. In 1914, Flora volunteered to become a nurse but was turned down due to a lack of qualifications. Undeterred, she instead joined the St John's Ambulance and on the 12th August 1914 left for Serbia with thirty-six other women. Flora & Evelina decided to set up a fund for promoting comforts for Serbian soldiers and prisoners. This was carried on through the end of the war and beyond. In order to raise enough funds, Flora wrote a book by using her diaries to share her experiences.
During a difficult retreat back to the sea through Albania, Flora was separated from her unit and for her own safety & chance of being fed, she enrolled as a soldier with a Serbian regiment, where she was quickly promoted to Corporal. However, in 1916, Flora was seriously wounded by a grenade, where she subsequently the Order of the Karadorde Star. Due to her injuries, Flora spent the rest of the war running a hospital.
On the 24th January 1862, Edith Wharton was born in New York City. Pre-war Edith had bought a apartment in Paris and at the outbreak of the first world war, she decided to move back to the apartment, situated on the Rue De Varenne. Here, Edith opened a sewing work room that would provide unemployed 'work-girls' meals & one franc in exchange for their work.
In the autumn of 1914, Paris became overrun with Belgian refugees after Germany had invaded Belgium. These people had nothing and no where to go. Edith again decided to help by setting up Hostels specifically for the refugees. Not only did it offer a place to stay, Edith also arranged meals and clothing and eventually started an employment agency in order to help the refugees find work.
Throughout the war, Edith worked tirelessly, supporting charities who helped refugees, the injured, the unemployed and the displaced. She even organised concerts which provided musicians with an income. On 18th April 1916, Edith was awarded a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.
Edith worked hard to raise funds to help various charities. Most of the money received were donations sent over from the American people, who wanted to help with the war effort. Edith was able to raise tens of thousands of dollars, which enabled her to open tuberculosis hospitals after an the disease broke out in the trenches.
On the 9th August 1867 Evelina Haverfield was born in Kingussie in Scotland. A well known British Suffragette and aid worker, at the outbreak of the first world war, Evelina set up the Women's Emergency Corps. In 1915, Evelina joined Elsie Inglis and worked tirelessly helping the injuried in Serbia, until they were evacuated in 1917.
Flora Sandes was born on 22nd January 1876 in Yorkshire. In 1914, Flora volunteered to become a nurse but was turned down due to a lack of qualifications. Undeterred, she instead joined the St John's Ambulance and on the 12th August 1914 left for Serbia with thirty-six other women. Flora & Evelina decided to set up a fund for promoting comforts for Serbian soldiers and prisoners. This was carried on through the end of the war and beyond. In order to raise enough funds, Flora wrote a book by using her diaries to share her experiences.
During a difficult retreat back to the sea through Albania, Flora was separated from her unit and for her own safety & chance of being fed, she enrolled as a soldier with a Serbian regiment, where she was quickly promoted to Corporal. However, in 1916, Flora was seriously wounded by a grenade, where she subsequently the Order of the Karadorde Star. Due to her injuries, Flora spent the rest of the war running a hospital.
Sunday 8 March 2015
Happy International Women's Day!
As its international women's day, I thought it would be fitting to tell the stories of some of the women hailed heroines during the first world war. Many of them went on to lead full interesting lives after the war, with some even continuing their work during the second world war. However, I am only going to tell their stories during the first world war. If you would like to find out what happens to them next, their is plenty of information on the internet as well as in books about women's work.
The first two women I am going to tell you about spent most of the war together so I thought that it would be fitting to combine their stories. Elizabeth Knocker was born in Exeter, England on the 29th June 1884. Mairi Chisholm was born in Nairn, Scotland on the 26th February 1896 and moved down to Dorset as a child. They met when they were eighteen years old and became good friends.
At the outbreak of war, Elizabeth wrote to Mairi about what they should do during the war and they both decided to join the Women's Emergency Corps. This was on organisation set up by Evelina Haverfield, Decima Moore & the Women's Social & Political Union. Mairi was chosen by Hector Munro to join the Flying Ambulance Corps, where she convinced Hector to also choose Elizabeth due to her training as a nurse, great mechanical and chauffeur skills and because she spoke fluent in both French & German.
The duo arrived in France on the 25th September 1914 and were quickly relocated in October to the town of Furnes near Dunkirk. Their role was to pick up soldiers from mid-way from the front & deliver them to a field hospital at the rear. They soon realised that despite their efforts, many of the soldiers were dying of their injuries before they made it to the hospital. They therefore decided to leave the organisation and set up on their own, setting up a dressing station just 100 yards from the trenches situated north of Ypres. It was decided that Elizabeth would treat patients, whilst Mairi drove the patients to the base hospital, all whilst under fire. They were even known to have carried the injured on their backs in order to get them to safety as quickly as possible.
Whilst doing this work, they also decided to take photographs of them at work, as well as the suffering going on around them. These photographs were to become highly popular in later years and are just some of the many chosen to be shown by historians today.
In January 1915 both Elizabeth & Mairi where awarded the Order of Leopold II, knights cross with palm by King Albert I of Belgium. They were also awarded the British Military Medal and made Officers, most venerable order of the hospital of St John of Jerusalem after rescuing a German pilot from no mans land. Mairi also received the Order of Queen Elizabeth of Belgium & the 1914 Star. The war came to an abrupt end for the pair in March 1918 after being gassed during a German offensive and were subsequently sent home.
On the 6th October 1889, Dorothie Feilding was born in Newnham Paddox to aristocratic parents. Out the outbreak of war she shunned her privileged upbringing and drove ambulance at the front. She received the Croix De Guerre and on the 1st September 1916, became the first woman to be awarded the Military Medal for bravery. Along with these, Dorothie also received the Order of Leopold II, knights cross with palm by King Albert I of Belgium.
Dorothie returned home to be married in June 1917 and spent the rest of the war driving the wounded around London.
On the 24th August 1863, Mary Amelia St Clair was born in Cheshire, England. Mary was a well-known writer & Suffragist but at the outbreak of war, Mary chose to be known under the name May Sinclair and volunteered to drive ambulances on the western front. However, after just a few short weeks, May was sent home for the duration and instead spent much of her time putting her experiences down on paper in the form of prose & poetry.
In August 1917, Mary O'Connell Bianconi (Known as Molly on the front line) joined the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry and worked as a driver in the St Omer Ambulance Convoy. In July 1918, after a heavy air raid, Molly & six others worked tirelessly to help the wounded whilst under fire, helping those buried in caves, dugouts and hospitals that had been hit. Due to her huge efforts, she received the Military Medal for bravery.
In 1914, a qualified surgeon named Elsie Inglis tried to volunteer with the Royal Army Medical Corps where she was told to 'go home & sit still'. Elsie therefore decided to set up her own organisation and so the Scottish Women's Hospitals were born, treating troops in Serbia & Russia. Elsie was the first women to receive the Order of the White Eagle, given to her by Serbia. Elsie & her team were evacuated in 1917 & unfortunately died just one day after returning to Britain from Cancer.
Chicago 1886, Mary Borden was born. At the outbreak of war, Mary was living in Britain. She decided to help the war effort by using her own money to equip & staff a field hospital. From 1915 she served as a nurse for the duration of the war. In her spare time she also wrote poetry such us 'The song in the mud'.
Join me on Tuesday with more stories about the brave women of world war one.
The first two women I am going to tell you about spent most of the war together so I thought that it would be fitting to combine their stories. Elizabeth Knocker was born in Exeter, England on the 29th June 1884. Mairi Chisholm was born in Nairn, Scotland on the 26th February 1896 and moved down to Dorset as a child. They met when they were eighteen years old and became good friends.
At the outbreak of war, Elizabeth wrote to Mairi about what they should do during the war and they both decided to join the Women's Emergency Corps. This was on organisation set up by Evelina Haverfield, Decima Moore & the Women's Social & Political Union. Mairi was chosen by Hector Munro to join the Flying Ambulance Corps, where she convinced Hector to also choose Elizabeth due to her training as a nurse, great mechanical and chauffeur skills and because she spoke fluent in both French & German.
The duo arrived in France on the 25th September 1914 and were quickly relocated in October to the town of Furnes near Dunkirk. Their role was to pick up soldiers from mid-way from the front & deliver them to a field hospital at the rear. They soon realised that despite their efforts, many of the soldiers were dying of their injuries before they made it to the hospital. They therefore decided to leave the organisation and set up on their own, setting up a dressing station just 100 yards from the trenches situated north of Ypres. It was decided that Elizabeth would treat patients, whilst Mairi drove the patients to the base hospital, all whilst under fire. They were even known to have carried the injured on their backs in order to get them to safety as quickly as possible.
Whilst doing this work, they also decided to take photographs of them at work, as well as the suffering going on around them. These photographs were to become highly popular in later years and are just some of the many chosen to be shown by historians today.
In January 1915 both Elizabeth & Mairi where awarded the Order of Leopold II, knights cross with palm by King Albert I of Belgium. They were also awarded the British Military Medal and made Officers, most venerable order of the hospital of St John of Jerusalem after rescuing a German pilot from no mans land. Mairi also received the Order of Queen Elizabeth of Belgium & the 1914 Star. The war came to an abrupt end for the pair in March 1918 after being gassed during a German offensive and were subsequently sent home.
On the 6th October 1889, Dorothie Feilding was born in Newnham Paddox to aristocratic parents. Out the outbreak of war she shunned her privileged upbringing and drove ambulance at the front. She received the Croix De Guerre and on the 1st September 1916, became the first woman to be awarded the Military Medal for bravery. Along with these, Dorothie also received the Order of Leopold II, knights cross with palm by King Albert I of Belgium.
Dorothie returned home to be married in June 1917 and spent the rest of the war driving the wounded around London.
On the 24th August 1863, Mary Amelia St Clair was born in Cheshire, England. Mary was a well-known writer & Suffragist but at the outbreak of war, Mary chose to be known under the name May Sinclair and volunteered to drive ambulances on the western front. However, after just a few short weeks, May was sent home for the duration and instead spent much of her time putting her experiences down on paper in the form of prose & poetry.
In August 1917, Mary O'Connell Bianconi (Known as Molly on the front line) joined the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry and worked as a driver in the St Omer Ambulance Convoy. In July 1918, after a heavy air raid, Molly & six others worked tirelessly to help the wounded whilst under fire, helping those buried in caves, dugouts and hospitals that had been hit. Due to her huge efforts, she received the Military Medal for bravery.
In 1914, a qualified surgeon named Elsie Inglis tried to volunteer with the Royal Army Medical Corps where she was told to 'go home & sit still'. Elsie therefore decided to set up her own organisation and so the Scottish Women's Hospitals were born, treating troops in Serbia & Russia. Elsie was the first women to receive the Order of the White Eagle, given to her by Serbia. Elsie & her team were evacuated in 1917 & unfortunately died just one day after returning to Britain from Cancer.
Chicago 1886, Mary Borden was born. At the outbreak of war, Mary was living in Britain. She decided to help the war effort by using her own money to equip & staff a field hospital. From 1915 she served as a nurse for the duration of the war. In her spare time she also wrote poetry such us 'The song in the mud'.
Join me on Tuesday with more stories about the brave women of world war one.
Life AT War - Day by Day
8th March 1915
United States of America's first navy minelayer Baltimore has been commissioned.
United States of America's first navy minelayer Baltimore has been commissioned.
Wednesday 4 March 2015
The First Great Escape - Part 3
… At the same time, the German officer on guard was looking in that direction and must have seen the white flag. However he turned and walked the other way as if nothing had happened. To this day we don’t know why the guard did this. Maybe he genuinely didn't seen the flag or more likely, he was one the guards who had been bribed and was helping the prisoners. If this was the case he would want to help the prisoners for as long as possible to ensure he still got a supply of food for himself and his family.
They couldn't tunnel the further distant to reach the point of exist, it was harvest time and the escape needed to take place as soon as possible. The stakes where high. They could be on their way back home within a month, possibly with a hero’s welcome and maybe even going back to the front line to help fight again. However it was more likely that they would be captured and could either be sent back to the camp and punished or could even be shot. The only possible exit route they could take would be under the cover of darkness, running through a few rows of beans.
On the 23rd July 1918 at 10pm the escape began. Lieutenant Walter Butler was first on the list to escape and see if the coast was clear for the rest. In the tunnel he went along with a bread knife to bread ground. It took a hour but eventually, Walter saw the light, climbed out of the tunnel and ran. By 11.30 the first eleven prisoners had escaped through the tunnel and were swimming across the river Visa. It had previously been decided that those who had put the post work into the escape such as the trio that had planned it, would be higher on the list and therefore had a greater chance of escaping.
By 4.30am 29 officers of the 83 total on the escape list had crawled out of the tunnel. Just as the thirtieth prisoner was nearing the exist, the tunnel caved in. Behind him were three more prisoners which he needed to tell to move back so that they could exist. However with out the noise and dust doing so was difficult and they began to suffocate. Eventually it was understood what needed to happen and the last two to enter the tunnel slowly made their way back to the entrance. However by 6am, there were still two prisoners stuck in the tunnel. They would have to stay there whilst the others went back to the barracks ready for morning inspection.
After the inspection, the prisoners returned to the entrance of the tunnel and helped to get the two trapped prisoners out. They had no option but to return to the barracks, unable to escape. They carried on as usual in the hope to not raise suspicion so that those that had escaped would have a chance to succeed.
In fact the camp guards were so oblivious to what had happened that it wasn't until later that day, when some angry farmers turned up at the camp gates because their crops had been trampled on, that the alarm was raised. The exist point was found straight away and the prisoners were told to dig up the tunnel. A large man hunt was launched and a reward given to any prisoner found and brought back. School children were given the day off to help look for them.
However, the escapees had been on the run since before 4.30am when the tunnel had collapsed and should have had plenty of time to vacate the nearby area so long as they went in the right direction. They had split up into groups of two or three as twenty-nine men walking the streets would have been obvious. Within days, nineteen of the escapees had been captured, brought back to camp to face trial and be placed in solitary confinement.
Yet there were still ten escapees where still on the run. Probably one of the most ingenious stories of the escape was the story used by the original trio - Blain, Kennard & Gray. One of them spoke excellent German, one spoke moderate German and one didn't speak any German. They decided their best option was to stick together and to deter the locals from who they really were, they came up with a story…
… The escapee that spoke no German was ’mentally insane’ and the other two had been tasked with taking him to a mental hospital. This was at a time when mental health causes where unknown and many people feared that you could catch insanity. This meant that once the story had been explained, people tried to stay out of the way and they were able to pass through towns and villages without further questions. They created a small act whereby the ’lunatic’ would have a fit and be screaming, whilst the other two would pin him down and give him a tablet, which would then make the ’lunatic’ calm down so they could carry on their journey.
Three weeks after the escape had taken place the last of the prisoners not captured reached Britain to a well deserved heroes welcome. They had beaten the odds and managed to outwit the Germans. This was The First Great Escape.
Sunday 1 March 2015
The First Great Escape - Part 2
The prisoner’s estimated that they would need to tunnel an extra forty metres to the cover of a Rye field, to better the chances of escaping unseen.
Many of the prisoners decided to give up. However, other officers had heard about the plan and decided to help and the new total of prisoners involved was 28. The original trio came to the decision that they had just six months to reach the field before it was harvested. Their thoughts also turned to the things they would need such as collecting supplies and false papers so that once the tunnel was completed, they would have everything they needed to stand a chance of making it to Holland.
It was the role of the new helpers to get contraband such as local money, clothes, food and other supplies. This was were the Red Cross parcels came in. With much of Germany cut off, food was scares for prisoners as well as guards and their families. The Red Cross realised this and sent parcels that contained food and other basic supplies. Families also had the opportunity of sending things as well. It would have been easy to hide things that could aid an escape. For example, A tiny compass could be hidden in the heel of a pair of boots, Maps and train timetables could be hidden in the base of a shaving brush.
The prisoners knew they would need clothes to help blend in with the locals, as their prisoner uniform would make them stand out immediately. One of the main items of clothing needed was a hat and although this seems strange today, at the time every man would wear a hat, so to be seen without one would have been suspicious. As previously stated, guards and their families had little food and some were able to be bribed with what the prisoners received in their parcels. After all it was believed that towards the end of the first world war, the prisoners were probably being fed better than the German people. This would have most probably been how they got the clothes and hats.
A typist at the camp pretended to be in love with one of the prisoners and would be seen kissing each other in a quiet location, whilst all the time she was giving them information about camp inspections so that they knew when they needed to be away from the tunnel.
The tunnel itself was proving difficult. The enamel bowl idea that they had previously used was no longer going to work. They needed to be working at a faster pace than previously to stand a chance of completing the tunnel on time. So instead they took the sack down with them, filled it up and then had to push it all the way back through the tunnel.
Many of the prisoners decided to give up. However, other officers had heard about the plan and decided to help and the new total of prisoners involved was 28. The original trio came to the decision that they had just six months to reach the field before it was harvested. Their thoughts also turned to the things they would need such as collecting supplies and false papers so that once the tunnel was completed, they would have everything they needed to stand a chance of making it to Holland.
It was the role of the new helpers to get contraband such as local money, clothes, food and other supplies. This was were the Red Cross parcels came in. With much of Germany cut off, food was scares for prisoners as well as guards and their families. The Red Cross realised this and sent parcels that contained food and other basic supplies. Families also had the opportunity of sending things as well. It would have been easy to hide things that could aid an escape. For example, A tiny compass could be hidden in the heel of a pair of boots, Maps and train timetables could be hidden in the base of a shaving brush.
The prisoners knew they would need clothes to help blend in with the locals, as their prisoner uniform would make them stand out immediately. One of the main items of clothing needed was a hat and although this seems strange today, at the time every man would wear a hat, so to be seen without one would have been suspicious. As previously stated, guards and their families had little food and some were able to be bribed with what the prisoners received in their parcels. After all it was believed that towards the end of the first world war, the prisoners were probably being fed better than the German people. This would have most probably been how they got the clothes and hats.
A typist at the camp pretended to be in love with one of the prisoners and would be seen kissing each other in a quiet location, whilst all the time she was giving them information about camp inspections so that they knew when they needed to be away from the tunnel.
The tunnel itself was proving difficult. The enamel bowl idea that they had previously used was no longer going to work. They needed to be working at a faster pace than previously to stand a chance of completing the tunnel on time. So instead they took the sack down with them, filled it up and then had to push it all the way back through the tunnel.
Their time was up. On the 30th June 1918, an officer took a rod with a white flag through the tunnel and pushed it up through the roof of the tunnel to try to establish where they were. They discovered that they were short by a few metres. But that wasn't all…
Come back on Wednesday for the third part...
Come back on Wednesday for the third part...
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