One of the early prison orchestras at
Colditz. John Beaumont, who played French horn in a different prison orchestra, made his
daring escape in broad daylight.
On the road leading to the park was an old garbage heap full
of cans, cardboard, sticks, rags, and the like. The Germans didn't give it a
thought until one day a prisoner was reported missing and, during a search
outside the castle, guards came upon a thin, fair-haired man trotting along a
path in broad daylight. Tucked under his arm he carried a blanket covered with
sewn-on cans, cardboard, sticks, rags, and the like. It was English Lieut. John
Beaumont, the French horn player in the prison orchestra, who had hidden in the
rubbish until he saw his chance to get over the wall.
