935: Ben Macintyre | Escaping from a Nazi Fortress Prison

Castle Origins

Colditz Castle, an enormous Gothic structure in eastern Germany, has a rich history dating back to the 11th century. Originally built by the electors of Saxony to showcase power and wealth, it evolved through various roles, including a hospital and a prison asylum, before becoming a Nazi POW camp during World War II 1. Its complex architecture, with layers of secret passages and tunnels, made it an inefficient prison, yet it was designated as a high-security site for Allied officers 2. Ben Macintyre notes, "While the prisoners tried to escape and mounted many, many escape attempts, actually, the Germans got very good at stopping them."

   

POW Camp

During World War II, Colditz Castle was transformed into a Nazi POW camp, known as Oflag IV-C, housing high-risk Allied officers from various nations 3. The camp became a competitive "escape university," where prisoners from different nationalities, including British, French, and American, vied to outdo each other in escape attempts 4. Ben Macintyre describes this dynamic, "There was a kind of league table of who was getting the most escapes, who was being most successful."

   

Legacy

Post-war, Colditz Castle's history was largely forgotten, especially in Germany, where it became part of East Germany and its wartime past was downplayed 5. However, the daring escape attempts, including plays used as cover and alliances formed among prisoners, remain legendary 6. Ben Macintyre reflects on the mutual respect between guards and prisoners, "There was a certain honor and a certain civility between the guards and the officers in this camp."