A remarkable cache of incredible photos capturing life inside the Great Escape PoW camp has been discovered in a barn. The images, taken a...
A remarkable cache of incredible photos capturing life inside the Great Escape PoW camp has been discovered in a barn.
The images, taken at Stalag Luft III in 1942 and 1943, show Allied prisoners dressed as women doing amateur-dramatics and an action-packed sports day.
They donned bikinis and other extravagant outfits as they entertained their camp mates with performances of 'Aladdin' and 'Girls, Girls, Girls'.
Hundreds of PoWs perched on roofs to watch the sports day which featured sprint races, the long jump, the high jump and a discus competition.
Later in the war, a daring mass-breakout took place from the camp in Sagan, Nazi-occupied Poland, which was immortalised in the 1963 Steve McQueen film 'The Great Escape'.
On March 6, 1944, 76 PoWs tunnelled their way to freedom, but all but three were recaptured within days.
A remarkable cache of rarely seen photos capturing life inside the Great Escape Stalag Luft III PoW camp has been discovered in a barn in Gloucestershire. Above: They donned bikinis and other extravagant outfits as they entertained their camp mates with performances of 'Aladdin' (above) and 'Girls, Girls, Girls'
The images, taken at Stalag Luft III in 1942 and 1943, show Allied prisoners dressed as women doing amateur-dramatics and an action-packed sports day
Inmates mill around during the camp's sports day in August 1942. The photos have emerged for sale nearly 80 years after they were taken
Fifty escapees were executed by the Gestapo on Adolf Hitler's orders.
The collection of over 40 photos, also featuring poignant images of a funeral at Stalag Luft I, were found in boxes in a Gloucestershire barn.
The vendor, an elderly lady, was doing a clear-out following her husband's recent death.
Her husband's family was Polish and a folder the images were found in had a Polish surname written on it.
The collection of over 40 photos, also featuring poignant images of a funeral at Stalag Luft I, were found in boxes in a Gloucestershire barn. Above: British troops pose next to the body of a soldier named as Sergeant J. C. Shaw
The vendor of the collection of images, an elderly lady, was doing a clear-out following her husband's recent death. Above: Sports day at Stalag Luft III
Hundreds of PoWs perched on roofs to watch the sports day which featured sprint races, the long jump, the high jump and a discus competition
The inmates also produced a poster (above) showing their cast of characters for their performance of Aladdin in 1942
It is possible that an ancestor was a PoW at the World War Two camp, or knew someone held captive there.
The barn was full of boxes containing thousands of Polish books which had not been touched for decades.
The vendor, who had no idea the photos existed, is selling them with the Cotswolds Auction Company.
Jenny Low, book specialist at Cotswolds Auction Company, said: 'I think it is safe to say these photos come from the vendor's Polish side of the family.
'They were stored in a barn and boxed for many years with thousands of books on Poland and other subjects.
The vendor, who had no idea the photos existed, is selling them with the Cotswolds Auction Company. Above: An athletic inmate taking part in a sprint race during the camp's sports day
Stalag Luft III was established in March 1942 and held captured Allied air force personnel. It was liberated by the Russians in January 1945. Above: An inmate competing in the discus event
Inmates mill around during the camp's sports day in August 1942. Many of the men are seen wearing their RAF uniforms
Fierce competition: A runner is seen taking part in a race as spectators watch on from the sidelines during the PoW sports day
It appears that the inmates also took part in a high jump event. Above: One prisoner is seen leaping in the air during the competition
'We don't know if someone on that side of the family was a PoW at Stalag Luft III or how they acquired them.
'There are photos of an arts and crafts exhibition, various am-dram performances and a sports day, which are dated 1942 and 1943.
'We'd love to find out more about them to authenticate them but they do seem to be quite important.'
Stalag Luft III was established in March 1942 and held captured Allied air force personnel.
It was liberated by the Russians in January 1945.
The sale of the photos, which are valued at £60, takes place on September 26.
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