´óÏó´«Ã½

This story was submitted to the People’s War site by Bill Ross of the ‘Action Desk — Sheffield’ Team on behalf of Ralph Corps (deceased) and has been added to the site with his family's permission. They fully understands the site's terms and conditions.
=============================================

A few days after my release from the prison camp, I obtained a detailed account respecting the escape from Sector 5. It appears that every night for weeks, the three men concerned had been waiting patiently for a break down in the lighting system between the hours of 10 and 11 p.m. But on the night of their escape, they were found unprepared. This fact did not deter them however. The mobile arc lamp had already passed and luckily for them, the sentry near the place chosen was away from his box. Using all speed, they crawled on their stomachs to the fences and without any delay, began to attack the wires. All three prisoners were armed with wire cutters. They got through, but had only gone 10 yards from the fence when the arc lights came onto full power again. They kept crawling for some distance, then made off in a southerly direction. After 4 days freedom, they were recaptured and returned to the camp. They were also surprised to learn that more men had escaped.

It was just coincidence that our escapes took place on the same night. Had they not made their bid for freedom on that particular evening, our plans may not have failed, though it must be admitted that at the time of our recapture, my friend and I were just about all in. Still, the experience does lend a little glamour to what would otherwise have been a very dull life as a prisoner of war.

Other parts of this story can be found at:
Pt 1……..
A4121605

Pt 2……..
A4121632

Pt 3……..
A4121650

Pt 4……..
A4121678

Pt 5……..
A4121687

Pt 6……..
A4121696

Pt 7……..
A4121713

Pt 8……..
A4121722

Pr- BR

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.