Photograph of tunnel at Holzminden prisoner of war camp, July 1918

This print shows the escape tunnel at Holzminden Prisoner of War camp which operated from 1917 - 1918.

Holzmiden was designed to be 'escape proof'. In July 1918, 29 officers successfully escaped. This has been termed The First Great Escape. Holzminden was also known as ‘Hellminden’ or the ‘Black Hole of Germany’ and ruled over by the notorious Commandant Karl Niemeyer. Officers who had attempted to escape elsewhere would be transferred here and one would be Captain William Leefe Robinson who was awarded a Victoria Cross in 1916 for shooting down an airship.