The notorious Stalag Luft III was a specially built prison camp on Germany's border with Poland. It held 10,000 Allied airmen of all nationalities during the Second World War, and was designed to be escape proof. But for Allied prisoners of war, it was their duty to escape. This fascinating and poignant documentary tells the story of the brave and resourceful men who organised the historic Great Escape and paid a tragic price for carrying out their duty. While previous escape attempts had proved unsuccessful, the most severe punishment for recaptured prisoners was usually a spell in solitary confinement. But this time it was different. When Hitler learned of the audacious large-scale break out, he was so furious that he ordered the cold-blooded murder of 50 escapees.

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