The True Story of the Wooden Horse

This in-depth historical study reveals fascinating new insight into the famous Wooden Horse escape of three Allied POWs from a Nazi prison camp.

In 1943, three British prisoners of war plotted a daring and ingenious escape from Stalag Luft III by making use of a hollowed-out gymnastic vaulting horse. A year before the events of The Great Escape—which would take place at the same camp—Lieutenants Michael Codner, Eric Williams, and Oliver Philpot executed the plan that Williams later recounted in his classic memoir The Wooden Horse. Now Robert Laplander presents a revealing new account in this comprehensive study of Stalag Luft III and the many attempts at escape that occurred there during the Second World War.


As Laplander explains, Williams' memoir was impeded by both a lack of necessary historical scope and regulations of the Crown. In The True Story of the Wooden Horse, Laplander makes use of newly released official documents and eye-witnesses reports. Supplemented by illustrations, including shots of a full-scale replica of the vaulting horse, this volume presents an exhaustive account of the escape in its entirety, set in the context of the camp's history.
1119627572
The True Story of the Wooden Horse

This in-depth historical study reveals fascinating new insight into the famous Wooden Horse escape of three Allied POWs from a Nazi prison camp.

In 1943, three British prisoners of war plotted a daring and ingenious escape from Stalag Luft III by making use of a hollowed-out gymnastic vaulting horse. A year before the events of The Great Escape—which would take place at the same camp—Lieutenants Michael Codner, Eric Williams, and Oliver Philpot executed the plan that Williams later recounted in his classic memoir The Wooden Horse. Now Robert Laplander presents a revealing new account in this comprehensive study of Stalag Luft III and the many attempts at escape that occurred there during the Second World War.


As Laplander explains, Williams' memoir was impeded by both a lack of necessary historical scope and regulations of the Crown. In The True Story of the Wooden Horse, Laplander makes use of newly released official documents and eye-witnesses reports. Supplemented by illustrations, including shots of a full-scale replica of the vaulting horse, this volume presents an exhaustive account of the escape in its entirety, set in the context of the camp's history.
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The True Story of the Wooden Horse

The True Story of the Wooden Horse

by Robert J. Laplander
The True Story of the Wooden Horse

The True Story of the Wooden Horse

by Robert J. Laplander

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Overview

This in-depth historical study reveals fascinating new insight into the famous Wooden Horse escape of three Allied POWs from a Nazi prison camp.

In 1943, three British prisoners of war plotted a daring and ingenious escape from Stalag Luft III by making use of a hollowed-out gymnastic vaulting horse. A year before the events of The Great Escape—which would take place at the same camp—Lieutenants Michael Codner, Eric Williams, and Oliver Philpot executed the plan that Williams later recounted in his classic memoir The Wooden Horse. Now Robert Laplander presents a revealing new account in this comprehensive study of Stalag Luft III and the many attempts at escape that occurred there during the Second World War.


As Laplander explains, Williams' memoir was impeded by both a lack of necessary historical scope and regulations of the Crown. In The True Story of the Wooden Horse, Laplander makes use of newly released official documents and eye-witnesses reports. Supplemented by illustrations, including shots of a full-scale replica of the vaulting horse, this volume presents an exhaustive account of the escape in its entirety, set in the context of the camp's history.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781473835146
Publisher: Pen & Sword Military
Publication date: 01/31/2020
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 272
File size: 24 MB
Note: This product may take a few minutes to download.

Table of Contents

Foreword vii

Author's Notes and Acknowledgements ix

Prologue: Confessions of a latent escaper xiii

Part I Capture 1

Chapter 1 The Demise of O for 'Orange' 2

Chapter 2 Sagan 15

Chapter 3 'One of Our Aircraft Failed to Return …' 32

Chapter 4 Under the North African Stars 43

Chapter 5 'A Rum Sort of Place…' 52

Part II Captivity 61

Chapter 6 Back in the Sandpit 62

Chapter 7 Inspiration 74

Chapter 8 First Steps 88

Chapter 9 'It Cannot Last, Old Boy …' 100

Chapter 10 Exhaustion and Ingenuity 116

Chapter 11 From Here to There 126

Chapter 12 'You're not thinking of leaving its, by any chance, are you?' 138

Part III Escape 155

Chapter 13 Through the Looking Glass 156

Chapter 14 Exhilaration 167

Chapter 15 Meanwhile, back at Sagan … 176

Chapter 16 'Jon Jorgenson' Takes a Trip 188

Chapter 17 The Varied Adventures of Marcel Lavasucr and Michel Conde 210

Chapter 18 Complete and Free 228

Postscript: 'Margaret' 244

Notes 252

Glossary 262

Index 269

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