NOVA Online | Nazi Prison Escape | Escaping Colditz 23

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.

Escaping Colditz
23: May 2, 1944

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.

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