Escaping from Colditz
Colditz was originally built in 1014 as a Royal hunting lodge for the Kings of Saxony. In 1939 Colditz Castle, which sits above the River Mulde, was chosen as a sonderlager (special and maximum security camp) for repeat escapers and declared as 'escape-proof'. However, more POWs escaped from Colditz than any other POW camp in WW2. It was finally liberated on 16th April 1945 by elements of the US Army.
Colditz was believed to be escape-proof and was guarded by a large force of Germans, many of whom had fought on the Eastern Front, it is without doubt the most famous of all POW camps. From escapers dressed as ladies or as German officers, to those hidden in sacks, or who worked on the glider or in sewer tunnels, this is a story of unbelievable endeavour and courage. This unique presentation is seen through the eyes of one of the longest serving Colditz prisoners, Piers’ father, Peter Storie-Pugh.
After the war, Colditz Castle reverted to being a specialist hospital until its closure. The authorities of Saxony - and Germans in general - are proud of their striking castles with their equally striking histories. Nonetheless, at that point, the thousand year old Castle's future was very much in doubt. An international hotel chain looked at converting it into a 5* hotel - but that plan came to nothing. Finally, the castle was converted into a Youth Hostel. Piers says, ''I am sure my father and his fellow Colditzers would be pleased that the Castle has become a Youth Hostel benefiting the young.”
The German Kommanditur now accommodates the Youth Hostel; whilst the prisoners' quarters hold within their walls the stories and the memories of the escapes, the failures, the determination, the ingenuity, the daring and the sheer cheek.
Piers Storie-Pugh's unique presentation, supported by over a hundred slides, is seen both through the eyes of his father and other PoWs and also through the prism of his own military service and his thirty years of guiding groups worldwide.
''My first employer was Kenneth Lockwood - he too was in Colditz from 1940-45; I learned quite a lot from him''.
“If you try to escape you will be shot; if you try to escape again, you will be sent to Colditz!"
— German Command
Colonel Peter David Storie-Pugh
CBE MC TD DL, Colditz 1940-1945.
Peter Storie-Pugh was commissioned into the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment in 1937 and went to France with the BEF. He won the Military Cross for his action at Doullens in May 1940 where he was seriously wounded and captured. He escaped from Baupame Military Hospital and was sent to Spangenberg in theHarz Mountains, where he escaped again. After being seriously beaten up he was sent to Colditz. He was involved in 21 escape attempts and received the MBE for Gallantry for his work in this the most famous of all POW Camps. He continued to serve in the Territorial Army and later became President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons forwhich he was awarded the CBE.
The Colditz Talk Includes:
* Escape from Spangenberg Castle
* Captured again, beaten up and sent to Colditz
* Who was at Colditz: German, British and other Allies?
* The Prominentes
* How did the POWs spend their time?
* Escapes and Dressing Up!
* Solitary Confinement
* The Canteen and French Tunnels
* The Glider
* Peter Storie-Pugh returns to Colditz
