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Royal Air Force Prisoners of War Association Memorial Plaque

Aircraft & Exhibits, Circa 1980, London, Hangar Five, X002-3411

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’.

An eagle with wings outstretched above its body, standing on an orb. The orb is on a rectangular piece of metal, RAF Museum/Iain Duncan

Sand from Stalag Luft III Parade Ground, The Great Escape

Aircraft & Exhibits, MAY 2007, London, Hangar One, X004-1399

On the night of 24 March 1944, 76 Allied prisoners, the majority of them RAF aircrew, escaped from the German prisoner of war camp, Stalag Luft III.

Glass petri dish containing sand, © RAF Museum

Medal Bar of 4 of Flight Lieutenant Bertram Arthur "Jimmy" James

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Three, X006-1328

Pilot Jimmy James, shot down and captured in the Netherlands in 1940, was a persistent prison escaper, including during the Great Escape of 24 March 1944. He was awarded the Military Cross in recognition of his numerous escape attempts. The medals are, from left to right, Military Cross, 1939-1945 Star, Aircrew Europe Star, 1939-1945 War Medal with Mention in Despatches oakleaf.

4 medals mounted alongside each other with multi coloured medal ribbons, RAF Museum/Iain Duncan