Royal Air Force Prisoners of War Association Memorial Plaque

Created by Michael McHale in conjunction with the Royal Air Force Prisoners of War Association, this plaque commemorates the 50 prisoners of war who were executed after escaping from Stalag Luft III in 1944. A fictionalised account of the mass breakout is told in the 1960s film, ‘The Great Escape’.

On 24th March 1944 76 Officers and NCOs escaped from Stalag Luft III in Sagan, Eastern Germany; of these only 3 reached the UK. 73 were recaptured, of whom 50 were shot under direct orders from Hitler and the German High Command. This memorial plaque was designed and fashioned by the donor in conjunction with the Royal Air Force Prisoners of War Association.