About midnight, the grandiosely moustachioed
Sergeant-Major whom the prisoners had nicknamed Franz Josef appeared at the eastern
gate with two sentries. Claiming the camp had had an air-raid distant warning,
he relieved the two sentries on duty at the gate early, replacing them with his own. For
reasons he could not explain later, the second relieved sentry asked for Franz
Josef's pass. It seemed to be in order, but Franz Josef didn't know the
password when asked. The sentry pressed his warning bell. A German corporal
appeared and demanded Franz Josef's revolver. A scuffle apparently ensued, and
the corporal shot Franz Josef. "Good God," cried one of the sentries. "You've
shot our Sergeant-Major." But no: It was English Lieut. Michael Sinclair, who
survived and went on to attempt two other escapes (see #22 and #24).
