Some of you may know that one of my hobbies is reading / researching WWII Allied POW escape attempts, most especially the events surrounding the 'Great Escape' from Stalag Luft III - see my avatar which is a frame from the 1963 film classic.
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Over the years I've become particularly interested the story of Bertram 'Jimmy' James, an RAF officer who's Wellington was hit somewhere over Holland resulting in him bailing and being swiftly captured. Jimmy, who died in 2008, went on to become one of the most prolific escapers of the war and was number 39 out of the tunnel 'Harry' during the 'Great Escape'. Luckily for him he was not one of the 50 executed by the Gestapo but instead wound up in Sachsenhaussen concentration camp. Whilst here he learnt the fate of the 50 and, despite knowing what fate awaited him if he were to escape again, promptly set about digging another 100 ft tunnel using a spoon stolen from the mess house and other rudimentary objects including a broken bottle. He got out with a few others but was caught after 14 days and returned to Sachsenhaussen's infamous Zellenbau Block, the place of torture and execution. Luckily for Jimmy the Russians were fast approaching so the Germans decided to move the prisoners and it was during this transit that Jimmy was finally liberated by the Americans in the Italian Tyrol.
In recent years I've been lucky enough to take groups to Sachenhaussen to tell this story and show them the site of Jimmy's hut and tunnel. As you might imagine, it's a very moving experience.
Fast forward to last week and a colleague asked me for a book recommendation. Without hesitation I chose Jimmy James's story captured in his book, Moonless Night. I spoke enthusiastically about Jimmy and told her much of what I've shared here so far. Armed with this info she went home and ordered a 2nd hand copy from ebay which arrived this Monday.
On Tuesday she came into work and, with a smile, laid the book on my desk. It was a first edition and she suggested I opened it. I flicked through the first few pages and then my heart missed a few beats. It was a signed first edition by the author himself, addressed to a chap called Waldemar. It turns out Waldemar C George was a 2nd Lieutenant in the American Army Air Corps who was interned with Jimmy in Stalag Luft III. With a smile my colleague said, 'that's yours now David, Jimmy would have wanted that'. As you might imagine, I was blown away.
My original and much travelled edition on the left and the one gifted to me on the right.
The inscription by Jimmy James.
Today I bought my colleague a bouquet of flowers and have ordered a replacement 1st edition of Moonless Night.
<<<<<<<<<
Over the years I've become particularly interested the story of Bertram 'Jimmy' James, an RAF officer who's Wellington was hit somewhere over Holland resulting in him bailing and being swiftly captured. Jimmy, who died in 2008, went on to become one of the most prolific escapers of the war and was number 39 out of the tunnel 'Harry' during the 'Great Escape'. Luckily for him he was not one of the 50 executed by the Gestapo but instead wound up in Sachsenhaussen concentration camp. Whilst here he learnt the fate of the 50 and, despite knowing what fate awaited him if he were to escape again, promptly set about digging another 100 ft tunnel using a spoon stolen from the mess house and other rudimentary objects including a broken bottle. He got out with a few others but was caught after 14 days and returned to Sachsenhaussen's infamous Zellenbau Block, the place of torture and execution. Luckily for Jimmy the Russians were fast approaching so the Germans decided to move the prisoners and it was during this transit that Jimmy was finally liberated by the Americans in the Italian Tyrol.
In recent years I've been lucky enough to take groups to Sachenhaussen to tell this story and show them the site of Jimmy's hut and tunnel. As you might imagine, it's a very moving experience.
Fast forward to last week and a colleague asked me for a book recommendation. Without hesitation I chose Jimmy James's story captured in his book, Moonless Night. I spoke enthusiastically about Jimmy and told her much of what I've shared here so far. Armed with this info she went home and ordered a 2nd hand copy from ebay which arrived this Monday.
On Tuesday she came into work and, with a smile, laid the book on my desk. It was a first edition and she suggested I opened it. I flicked through the first few pages and then my heart missed a few beats. It was a signed first edition by the author himself, addressed to a chap called Waldemar. It turns out Waldemar C George was a 2nd Lieutenant in the American Army Air Corps who was interned with Jimmy in Stalag Luft III. With a smile my colleague said, 'that's yours now David, Jimmy would have wanted that'. As you might imagine, I was blown away.
My original and much travelled edition on the left and the one gifted to me on the right.
The inscription by Jimmy James.
Today I bought my colleague a bouquet of flowers and have ordered a replacement 1st edition of Moonless Night.
