The Grand Escape

by Neal Bascomb

  Seven months before: Author interview with Diana Gillyatt; Kennard Family Papers. CK.

  After earning his: Kennard Service Records. TNA: AIR 76/271.

  “Somewhere behind the”: Letter from C. Kennard to his parents. October 12, 1916. Papers of C. Kennard. IWM.

  Days later, their: Winchester, p. 36.

  When he was: Report by Gerald Knight. TNA: FO 383/272; Money, pp. 114–15; Winchester, p. 36.

  A guard brought: Blain, unpublished memoir. IWM; Report on Prisoners Camp at Osnabrück. TNA: FO 383/267.

  The British Red: Hanson, pp. 106, 113–18.

  In early November: Blain, unpublished memoir. IWM.

  Everyone at Osnabrück: Ibid; Winchester, pp. 37–38.

  “My dearest Mother”: Blain, unpublished memoir. IWM.

  “Will they twig”: Ibid.

  While they waited: Letters from Hugh Chance to his family. October–November, 1916. SCHA: FP-CH 15/7/3; Money, pp. 116–19; diary, October 5–November 30, 1916. SCHA: FP-CH 15/7/8.

  Every day: Winchester, pp. 38–41.

  “Dear old Mum”: Ibid.

  In early December: Tullis, unpublished memoir. JKT.

  Then, on December: David Gray. ICRC.

  CHAPTER 4

  Two months passed: Blain, unpublished memoir. IWM; Tullis, unpublished memoir. JKT; Chance, unpublished memoir. SCHA: FP-CH 15/7/8.

  “evil swine”: Blain, unpublished memoir. IWM.

  “Ready?”: Winchester, p. 44.

  “Help! The English”: Blain, unpublished memoir. IWM. Knight, p. 49.

  “Yes.”: Blain, unpublished memoir. IWM.

  Blankenstein decided to: Knight, pp. 50–54.

  “Raus!”: Ibid, p. 51; Letters from Hugh Chance to his family. March–April, 1917. SCHA: FP-CH 15/7/5.

  After a couple: Lewis-Stempel, p. 122; Letters from Hugh Chance to his family. March–April 1917. SCHA: FP-CH 15/7/5; Tullis, unpublished memoir. JKT.

  Surrounding it now: Evans, pp. 19–21.

  “cunning attack”: “Begalubigte Abschrift,” April 7, 1917. Papers of C. Kennard, RAF.

  They spent it: Blain, unpublished memoir. IWM; Tullis, unpublished memoir. JKT.

  CHAPTER 5

  Captain David Gray: Winchester, p. 103. In his book, Beyond the Tumult, Winchester references this escape to have taken place during June 1917. At this time, Gray would have been at his next camp, Schwarmstadt. That said, it is clear this escape was attempted from Crefeld, and given the weather and window of opportunity, spring was its most likely time.

  With its warm: Report on Crefeld. Bundesarchiv 901/84359; Letter from Burlow to his mother, April 14, 1917. Papers of R. Burrows. LIDD: POW-010.

  Holding some 800: Report by Lieutenant Russell. TNA: FO 383/275; Phillimore, pp. 44–49; unpublished memoir. Papers of L. McNaught-Davis. LIDD: POW-043.

  Nevertheless, Gray was: The Crefeld Secret Inquiry. Winchester. Appendix II.

  With Crefeld only: Winchester, pp. 104–105.

  In the months: unpublished memoir. Papers of J. Dykes. IWM; January–May 1917, diary. Papers of D. Grant. IWM; Caunter, pp. 27, 38; unpublished memoir. Papers of L. McNaught-Davis. LIDD: POW-043.

  After a long: Winchester, pp. 105–16.

  CHAPTER 6

  The pigs’ squeals: Evans, p. 41; Clausthal Report. BARCH: R 901/84348. For note: Some accounts have the Clausthal commandant named Wolfe, others Puttenson. There are similar discrepancies between reports and prisoner memoirs at many of the camps.

  Commandant Wolfe: Clausthal Report. BARCH: R 901/84348; Statement by Lieutenant Anderson. Papers of F. Mann. IWM; Knight, p. 71.

  Still, compared to: Blain, unpublished memoir. IWM; Money, p. 128.

  The prisoners made: Unpublished memoir. Papers of A. Martin-Thomson. IWM.

  It began with: Blain, unpublished memoir. IWM; Report on Visit to Detention Camp at Clausthal. TNA: FO 383/270.

  “Are all Canadians”: Spectator, December 5, 1966; a series of undated newspaper clippings, HPA.

  One day, in: Knight, pp. 78–81.

  Blain and Kennard: Blain, unpublished memoir. IWM.

  CHAPTER 7

  As the fall: “Draft of an Agreement between British and German Governments,” July 1917. TNA: CAB 24/19/39.

  “prisoner’s Mecca”: Durnford, p. 15.

  They did not: Letter from Barlow to his parents, September 26, 1917. Papers of A. Barlow. LIDD: POW-002.

  “the face of”: Cook, p. 176.

  Private-school: “The First Great Escape,” Cross & Cockade (Spring 2016).

  As a POW: Rathborne Account. TNA: AIR 1/7/726/129/1; Report by Rathborne. TNA: WO 161/96.

  It was after: Durnford, pp. 18–21; Hargreaves, p. 193.

  The former infantry: Report on Conditions of Officers’ Camps in Xth Army Corps. TNA: FO 383/399; unpublished memoir. Papers of R. Gough. LIDD: POW-029.

  “glad to see”: Durnford, p. 19.

  “bedroom candles and”: Ibid.

  They were divided: Letter, June 16, 1918. Papers of L. Nixon. IWM.

  When the morning: Durnford, pp. 19–21; Report on Conditions of Officers’ Camps in Xth Army Corps. TNA: FO 383/399.

  “you wouldn’t get”: Warburton, p. 96.

  “cad”: Report on Conditions of Officers’ Camps in Xth Army Corps. TNA: FO 383/399; Notes on Holzminden. Papers of M. Pannett. IWM.

  “had been enough”: Hanson, p. 74.

  CHAPTER 8

  The prison was: The Spectator, May 19, 1928; unpublished memoir. Papers of R. Gough. LIDD: POW-029; Ackerley, p. 78; diary, October 14, 1917. Papers of D. Grant. IWM; Notes. Papers of M. Pannett. IWM; Hanson, pp. 43–45.

  Two prisoners recently: Thorn, p. 65. In his memoir, Thorn offers a compelling portrait of this early escape at Holzminden, not to mention one of life in the camps. Well worth a read.

  The two barracks: Unpublished memoir. Papers of R. Gough. LIDD: POW-029; Durnford, pp. 52–60; September 28, 1917. Diary. Papers of D. Grant. IWM.

  Thorn and Wilkins: Thorn, pp. 66–68; unpublished memoir. Papers of L. McNaught-Davis. LIDD: POW-043; Rathborne Account. TNA: AIR 1/7/726/129/1; Garland, Edgar, “My Dashes for Freedom,” Wide World Magazine, June 1919.

  “had left the”: Thorn, p. 87.

  Bloodhounds were brought: Ibid, pp. 87–88; Hanson, pp. 15–52.

  The Poldhu relayed: Report by Alan Wilken. TNA: WO 161/96; Clausthal Camp, Diary and Comments. SCHA: FP-CH 15/7/5.

  The prisoners now: Durnford, pp. 24–25; report by A. E. Haig, January 20, 1918. Papers of A. Haig. IWM.

  “barbarians”: Report by Captain F.B. Binney. TNA: WO 161/96; Report by Samuel Ellis. TNA: WO 161/96.

  Back in his: Report by Samuel Ellis. TNA: WO 161/96; Report on Conditions of Officers’ Camps in Xth Army Corps. TNA: FO 383/399.

  As some of: October 1917. Diary. Papers of J. Chapman RAF; letter in Code Despatched from Holzminden, October 9, 1917. TNA: FO 383/275; Horrocks, p. 21.

  Throughout October: Letter from Bennett to his mother, October 17, 1917. LJB; report on Holzminden, November 22, 1917. TNA: FO 383/275; report by A. E. Haig, January 20, 1918. Papers of A. Haig. IWM.

  “I had nothing”: Report by Lieutenant Insall. TNA: FO 383/272.

  “Look at these”: Horrocks, p. 26; Auckland Star, March 22, 1919; Durnford, pp. 16–23; unpublished memoir. Papers of A. Barlow. LIDD: POW-002; Warburton, pp. 91–97; Sydney Mail, August 6, 1919.

  There they quickly: October 1917. Diary. Papers of D. Grant. IWM; Letter in Code Despatched from Holzminden, October 9, 1917. TNA: FO 383/275; unpublished memoir. Papers of L. McNaught-Davis. LIDD: POW-043.

  CHAPTER 9

  “Get up”: Unpublished memoir. Papers of R. Gough. LIDD: POW-029.

  “Cost price”: Durnford, p. 37.

  Since arriving at: Unpublished memoir. Papers of L. McNaught-Davis. LIDD: POW-043; Report on Conditions of Officers’ Camps in Xth Army Corps. TNA: FO 383/399.

  Waiting was one: Harvey, p. 228.

  The little
tyrannies: unpublished memoir. Papers of L. McNaught-Davis. LIDD: POW-043; report by Lieutenant Purves. TNA: FO 383/399.

  “When a more”: Harvey, p. 227.

  Theft was pervasive: Notes on Holzminden. Papers of M. Pannett. IWM; letter from Nixon. Papers of L. Nixon. IWM.

  For no reason: Letter to Nixon family. Papers of L. Nixon. IWM.

  “Time drags slowly”: Coombes (Kindle location 5217).

  “The wearisome sameness”: Lewis-Stempel, pp. 117–18.

  Second Lieutenant William: Harvey, pp. 170–71.

  In late October: Report on Holzminden, November 1917. BARCH: R 85/4337; unpublished memoir. Papers of L. McNaught-Davis. LIDD: POW-043; Garland, Edgar, “My Dashes for Freedom,” Wide World Magazine, June 1919.

  The barricades in: Hanson, pp. 167–68.

  The Holzminden inmates: Newsclip, “Bucks Officer’s Adventures in Germany,” undated. Papers of J. Shaw. IWM.

  “You see, gentleman”: Durnford, p. 50.

  Private Dick Cash: unpublished memoir. Papers of D. Morrish. LIDD: ADD-001; unpublished memoir. Papers of J. Dykes. IWM.

  When war broke: Schmitt. IWM

  He lived with: Hanson, pp. 49–53.

  At 7 a.m.: Unpublished memoir. Papers of J. Dykes. IWM.

  “Taking the officers”: Ibid.

  Dick Cash, with: Schmitt. IWM

  CHAPTER 10

  Shorty Colquhoun wanted: Ackerley, p. 78.

  Finding the best: Recollections of L. J. Bennett, oral history, LIDD; Durnford, pp. 71–75; Hanson, pp. 183–85; “The Holzminden Tunnellers Want to Meet Again,” Answers, June 11, 1938.

  He recruited his: Letter from Bennett to Lyon, May 13, 1938. LJB.

  First they would: Recollections of L. J. Bennett, oral history, LIDD; Tullis, unpublished memoir. JKT.

  The next day: Ackerley, pp. 78–79; Recollections of L. J. Bennett, Oral History, LIDD; Tullis, unpublished memoir. JKT. Although the record on this critical scouting mission was clear, the two individuals responsible remained unmentioned in all accounts on Holzminden. Given the intricate engineering of the slide panel, and the experience of the Pink Toes, namely Moysey and Rogers, in creating such a contraption, the author surmised these two were responsible.

  One of them: New Zealand Herald, August 27, 1938.

  A bribe of: Hanson, pp. 194–95.

  On November 5: Rathborne Account. TNA: AIR 1/7/726/129/1; November 5, 1917. Diary. Papers of J. Chapman, RAF.

  “eye-wash”: Harding, p. 92.

  The men tried: Report on Holzminden, November 1917. BARCH: R 85/4337

  “could be obviated”: Report on Holzminden. BARCH: R 85/4337.

  “professionally incapable”: Letter from British Vice Consulate, May 16, 1917. TNA: FO 383/270.

  “The first officer”: Letter in code, November 12, 1917. TNA: FO 383/275.

  “Holzminden was an”: Letter from W.R.C. Green. Papers of R. Burrows. LIDD: POW-010.

  Lord Newton had: Summary of Reprisals Taken by British and German Governments. TNA: CAB 24/6/375; meeting minutes. October 26, 1917. TNA: FO 383/273.

  CHAPTER 11

  There was never: Cook, pp. 20–21.

  Niemeyer continued: Report by A. E. Haig, January 20, 1918. Papers of A. Haig. IWM.

  The greatest revenge: Ibid, p. 230.

  On one of: Durnford, pp. 71–88.

  One orderly stood: Tullis, unpublished memoir. JKT.

  “All clear”: Durnford, p. 79.

  Gray and his: Australian, March 3, 1922.

  Thin lines of: Durnford, pp. 71–88.

  Using spoons and: Sunday Express, May 8, 1938; Morrogh, unpublished memoir. JDM; recollections of L. J. Bennett, oral history, LIDD.

  At first, they: Australian, March 3, 1922.

  At Christmas, Colquhoun: Durnford, p. 75.

  The men sang: December 1917. Diary. Papers of D. Grant. IWM; Hanson, p. 200.

  The following morning: Unpublished memoir. Papers of L. McNaught-Davis. LIDD: POW-043.

  But into this: Notes. Papers of M. Pannett. IWM; Durnford, p. 75; J. W. Shaw, “The Holzminden Escape Tunnel.” News clipping. Papers of J. Shaw. IWM.

  Caspar Kennard wriggled: Winchester, p. 112. According to Winchester, Kennard joined the project tunnel in January 1918. Kennard left no record of the exact date, but in his archival files, he was clearly working with Gray at this point in bribing a Holzminden dentist for supplies. Gerichtsschreiber des Landgerichts Brief, January 18, 1918. Papers of C. Kennard, RAF. Given Kennard’s arrest and imprisonment from escape, this timeline figures well.

  On reaching the: Harding, pp. 135–39; Shaw, J.W., “The Holzminden Escape Tunnel.” News clipping. Papers of J. Shaw. IWM; Unpublished memoir. Papers of W. English, RAF.

  CHAPTER 12

  They filled their: Hanson, pp. 136–41.

  “There was a”: V. Coombs, oral history interview. IWM.

  Besides actors, the: Hanson, pp. 136–39.

  James Whale, who: Curtis, pp. 15–26.

  “Pots of paint”: James Whale, “Our Life at Holzminden,” Wide World Magazine, undated. Papers of J. Whale. IWM.

  “a motley crew”: Unpublished memoir. Papers of G. Gilbert, RAF.

  The arrival in: Letter from M. R. Chidson, May 15, 1936. Medlicott family papers. http://www.fam.medlicott.uk.com/HEM_files/7_HWMedlicott.html. Cook, p. 151.

  A legend to: Evans, p. 56.

  At 3:30 p.m.: Ibid; Durnford, pp. 60–63; Letter from M. R. Chidson, May 15, 1936. Medlicott family papers. http://www.fam.medlicott.uk.com/HEM_files/7_HWMedlicott.html. Unpublished memoir. Papers of J. Cash. IWM; February 1918. Diary. Papers of D. Grant. IWM.

  “All my boys”: Unpublished memoir. Papers of N. Birks. IWM.

  When the officers: Report on Conditions of Officers’ Camps in Xth Army Corps. TNA: FO 383/399.

  “unblemished record”: Durnford, p. 63.

  “it was impossible”: Letter from M. R. Chidson, May 15, 1936. Medlicott family papers. http://www.fam.medlicott.uk.com/HEM_files/7_HWMedlicott.html.

  In late February: Durnford, p. 95.

  Since the Boxing: December 1917–February 1918. Diary. Papers of D. Grant. IWM.

  Rather than welcoming: Lewis-Stempel, pp. 246–247.

  “I felt like”: Vance, p. 68.

  At the end: Harvey, pp. 239–240.

  They left: King Country Chronicle, September 27, 1919; TNA: ADM 273/23/137; Morrogh, unpublished memoir. JDM.

  Blain clawed the: Blain, unpublished memoir. IWM; Recollections of L. J. Bennett, oral history, LIDD.

  At last, he: Blain, unpublished memoir. IWM.

  Back by the: Recollections of L. J. Bennett, oral history, LIDD; Tullis, unpublished memoir. JKT.

  Kennard stood just: Durnford, pp. 96–99.

  CHAPTER 13

  Whether walking in: Harvey, pp. 142–43.

  There was a: Speech Notes. AC; Tullis, unpublished memoir. JKT.

  “black gusts of”: Hanson, pp. 79–80.

  “Letter Boy,” the: David, p. 442; Durnford, pp. 81–85; Mallahan, P. “The Big Breakout.” Unpublished article. PM.

  “I do not”: Durnford, pp. 84–85.

  With his photography: Schmitt. IWM

  Each week, Gray: Rathborne account. TNA: AIR 1/7/726/129/1; Tullis, unpublished memoir. JKT.

  “We must be”: Harvey, p. 135.

  “accidentally”: Tullis, unpublished memoir. JKT.

  In mid-May: Notes. Papers of M. Pannett. IWM; summary of Reprisals Taken by British and German Governments. TNA: CAB 24/6/375.

  At first the: Durnford, pp. 108–10; Morrogh, unpublished memoir. JDM.

  “Yes, they are”: Ibid, p. 289.

  “sudden dash”: Letter from M. R. Chidson, May 15, 1936. http://www.fam.medlicott.uk.com/HEM_files/7_HWMedlicott.html.

  Then, while several: Grinnell-Milne, pp. 303–304.

  The tunnelers in: Hargreaves, p. 392.

  Nobody lived in: Ibid, pp. 109–13; Papers of M. Pannett. IWM; Rathborne account. TNA: AIR
1/7/726/129/1.

  CHAPTER 14

  A lunatic who: Winchester, pp. 142–44.

  Gray would be: Forged document. Papers of C. Kennard, RAF.

  “We hereby certify”: Günther note. Papers of C. Kennard, RAF.

  One officer’s escape: J. K. Bousfield, “An Exciting Escape from a German Prisoners’ of War Camp,” Caian: The Magazine of Gonville and Caius College (undated).

  “Bone dry”: Tullis, unpublished memoir. JKT; notes. AC.

  “true German style”: Rathborne account. TNA: AIR 1/7/726/129/1.

  On June 6: Diary, June 6, 1918. HFD.

  Sutcliffe, whose nickname: Harvey, pp. 237–38; Durnford, pp. 120–24.

  Compounding this anxiety: Document from Holland, Harsh Treatment of Captain Robinson. TNA: FO 383/399; Report by Ortweiler. TNA: WO 161/96.

  “simple disobedience”: “Court martial of David B. Gray, June 12, 1918. TNA: FO 383/401; Durnford, p. 119.

  CHAPTER 15

  Jim Bennett: Notes on Holzminden, Papers of M. Pannett. IWM.

  The 26-year-old: Bennett and Tullis interview, LJB: Author interview with Laurie Bennett.

  “last lap”: Durnford, p. 118.

  On June 30: Rathborne account. TNA: AIR 1/7/726/129/1; Tullis, unpublished memoir. JKT; Bennett, “A Little Introduction Speech,” LJB.

  “nosed its way.” Recollections of L. J. Bennett, oral history, LIDD.

  They had no: Morrogh, unpublished memoir. JDM; Notes. Papers of M. Pannett. IWM.

  The other restrictions: McPhail, Angus. His Book Holzminden. LJB.

  “Are you in”: Ackerley, p. 75.

  “Expecting something big”: Diary. July 1918. HFD.

  Livewire reluctantly agreed: Durnford, p. 129.

  Gray led the: Durnford, pp. 124–27; King County Chronicle, September 27, 1919. Garland reinforces that Gray was in charge of the plan, and who should go where/when during the night of the breakout.

  The first escape: Bousfield, J.K., “An Exciting Escape.”

  They drew up: Papers of M. Pannett. IWM; Blain, unpublished memoir. IWM.

  Two officers volunteered: Recollections of L. J. Bennett, oral history, LIDD.

  The next night: Durnford, pp. 129–30.

  CHAPTER 16

  “Tonight!” All through: Freeman, James, “The Holzminden Tunnelers Want to Meet Again,” Answers, June 11, 1938; July 21–24, diary. HFD.

  At 6 p.m.: Durnford, pp. 131–32.

  “Holzminden—Escaped July”: Winchester, p. 152.