1 00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:38,717 In 1916, in the heart of the Kaiser's Germany, 2 00:00:38,800 --> 00:00:42,953 were prisoners of war for whom the iron heel of submission was intolerable. 3 00:00:43,040 --> 00:00:45,509 This is the story of one such man. 4 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:49,752 Ginger. Ginger. The escape's on. 5 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:52,833 - What? - It's on tonight. Let's go. 6 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:55,594 No, no. I don't want to go. 7 00:01:55,680 --> 00:01:59,674 Ginger, it's the escape. The big escape. 8 00:01:59,760 --> 00:02:02,400 No, no. I want to get some sleep. 9 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:12,990 Dusty? Dusty? Dusty! 10 00:02:13,720 --> 00:02:16,952 - Time to go. - Go? 11 00:02:17,040 --> 00:02:19,680 The escape. It's on tonight. 12 00:02:19,760 --> 00:02:23,595 Look, you go, Major. 13 00:02:24,480 --> 00:02:27,871 I've got this terrible cold. I can't seem to shake it off. 14 00:02:27,960 --> 00:02:29,792 Don't you want to get back to Blighty? 15 00:02:29,880 --> 00:02:32,236 See Nora and the kids? 16 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:35,119 Yes, obviously. 17 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:38,511 But I don't want to go back all sneezing and snuffling 18 00:02:38,640 --> 00:02:40,518 and have to go straight to bed. 19 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:41,795 But... 20 00:02:45,040 --> 00:02:46,076 Oh! 21 00:02:48,080 --> 00:02:50,037 Carter? Carter? 22 00:02:51,720 --> 00:02:53,473 Oh, piss off. 23 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:01,992 What's the matter with you all? 24 00:03:03,440 --> 00:03:05,636 Where's all that British spunk? 25 00:03:07,680 --> 00:03:10,832 Well, whatever you lot do, 26 00:03:10,920 --> 00:03:12,479 I'm going tonight! 27 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:14,119 Cheerio. 28 00:03:15,080 --> 00:03:16,719 Bye-bye. 29 00:03:17,920 --> 00:03:21,311 This is your last chance. Does anyone want to come with me? 30 00:03:33,160 --> 00:03:37,473 Anyone? Anyone want to come just a bit of the way? 31 00:03:39,480 --> 00:03:41,517 No, right, good. 32 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:44,559 I'll do the whole damn escape by myself. 33 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:46,950 - Blast! - Goodness' sake! Quiet! 34 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:51,393 Can't you let me get some sleep? 35 00:03:54,120 --> 00:03:57,272 - Ooh! Oh! - Aw, shut up, Phipps! 36 00:03:57,360 --> 00:03:58,919 For God's sake! 37 00:04:01,880 --> 00:04:04,315 You miserable bunch of cowards! 38 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:06,471 You lazy loafing lot of layabouts! 39 00:04:07,520 --> 00:04:09,637 Don't you know there's a war on out there? 40 00:04:09,760 --> 00:04:13,231 Don't you know there are people out there fighting to keep this world safe and free 41 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:15,437 - for people like you and me? 42 00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:17,557 Well, I'm going to join them, do you hear? 43 00:04:17,640 --> 00:04:19,996 You won't keep me cooling my heels in here 44 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:22,231 when there's Huns to fight and Boche to kill! 45 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:26,080 - I'm going, getting out. I'm off. 46 00:04:26,160 --> 00:04:29,232 You won't keep me in here while there's a war to win. 47 00:04:29,320 --> 00:04:32,392 - Goodbye! 48 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:34,312 Oh, hello. 49 00:04:35,320 --> 00:04:39,109 Major Errol Phipps was a legend among prisoners in the First World War. 50 00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:44,629 He had attempted over 560 escapes, 200 of them before he left England. 51 00:04:45,840 --> 00:04:49,117 On arrival in Germany, he escaped regularly every day 52 00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:50,953 and twice a day at weekends. 53 00:04:51,680 --> 00:04:56,880 And so it was on June the 4th, 1917, after escaping six times in one day, 54 00:04:56,960 --> 00:04:59,600 Phipps found himself being taken by the Germans 55 00:04:59,720 --> 00:05:02,155 to the most notorious prison camp of all. 56 00:05:04,840 --> 00:05:07,514 - Where are you from? - Er, Reigate. 57 00:05:07,600 --> 00:05:10,559 Ah, yes. Know it well. 58 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:12,836 I'm a Dorking man myself. 59 00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:15,073 Ah. Yes. 60 00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:17,830 Do you know the Eel and Partridge? 61 00:05:17,920 --> 00:05:19,479 No. No, I don't. 62 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:22,878 - Want a cigarette? - Oh, zigarette. 63 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:24,280 - Nice little pub. - Danke. 64 00:05:24,360 --> 00:05:29,958 It's just outside Banstead. Do you know, the barman there has this amazing... 65 00:05:39,360 --> 00:05:43,593 Anyway, the barman at the Eel and Partridge 66 00:05:43,680 --> 00:05:47,310 has this incredible old dog, Benji. 67 00:05:48,480 --> 00:05:51,598 - Do you know what he can do? - No, no. 68 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:55,599 He's the only dog, and I kid you not, 69 00:05:55,680 --> 00:06:01,836 the only dog I've ever known who can drink six pints of beer and sing Lily of Laguna. 70 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:05,596 Honestly, I swear as God's my witness, Phipps, 71 00:06:05,680 --> 00:06:08,559 I've seen that dog, totally pissed, 72 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:13,237 sing all four verses and with his foot. Mark you... 73 00:06:24,880 --> 00:06:27,315 Although Major Phipps attempted to escape 74 00:06:27,400 --> 00:06:29,517 nine more times on that fateful journey, 75 00:06:29,600 --> 00:06:34,152 it seemed that at last, the Germans had broken the soul of this hardened escaper. 76 00:06:37,520 --> 00:06:42,197 For now he was at the gates of Stalag Luft 1 12 B, 77 00:06:42,280 --> 00:06:45,398 the most prestigious prisoner-of-war camp of all. 78 00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:48,232 The finest British officers were here 79 00:06:48,360 --> 00:06:50,955 and there was a waiting list of several years to get in. 80 00:06:54,880 --> 00:07:00,000 No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Up on the note, up. Once more. 81 00:07:16,840 --> 00:07:18,593 - Ja. It's good. - Ja. 82 00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:19,796 Move! 83 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:34,952 Captain Nicholson and Major Phipps. 84 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:38,799 - How do you do? I'm... - What are you doing in here? 85 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:41,440 - What? - How dare you come in here? 86 00:07:41,520 --> 00:07:45,070 This is British sovereign territory. You know that damn well. 87 00:07:45,160 --> 00:07:46,674 We was delivering prisoners. 88 00:07:46,760 --> 00:07:52,040 You are not delivering prisoners. You are delivering British officers. 89 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:53,839 And when you deliver British officers, 90 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:57,118 you wait outside the door until a member of the arrivals committee, 91 00:07:57,200 --> 00:07:59,920 being in previous receipt of an allocation form signed by your commandant, 92 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:01,480 comes to receive them. 93 00:08:02,360 --> 00:08:05,751 Listen, who's winning the bloody war? 94 00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:08,753 Don't you dare use language like that in front of a British officer. 95 00:08:08,840 --> 00:08:11,150 Gets on my wick, all this. 96 00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:14,995 You're supposed to be prisoners. You come here because you got captured. 97 00:08:15,080 --> 00:08:17,390 Because you're not very good at fighting. 98 00:08:17,520 --> 00:08:20,354 - And now we get all this. - You see that man over there? 99 00:08:20,880 --> 00:08:22,599 That's Captain Walcott. 100 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:25,354 He won two DSOs and made a single-handed night attack 101 00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:27,397 that destroyed four German positions. 102 00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:30,157 Over there is Sergeant Major Errol, 103 00:08:30,240 --> 00:08:34,154 the first of the Northumberland Fusiliers over the top at Mons. 104 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:37,119 Archie Tucker, Lieutenant Tucker to you, 105 00:08:37,600 --> 00:08:41,514 commander of the first ship to break the North Atlantic blockade in 1915. 106 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:46,596 - They still got captured. - And lucky for you they did. 107 00:08:46,680 --> 00:08:50,594 You might have had the French in here, or the Greeks, or the Poles. 108 00:08:50,680 --> 00:08:53,149 Would you rather have that than a prison camp 109 00:08:53,240 --> 00:08:56,074 full of some of the finest soldiers of this or any other war? 110 00:08:57,960 --> 00:08:59,155 It's just not fair. 111 00:08:59,240 --> 00:09:01,630 Just because you haven't got the guts to get captured. 112 00:09:01,720 --> 00:09:04,872 I was nearly captured once. 113 00:09:06,080 --> 00:09:10,120 I was. I was standing next to a man who was captured. 114 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:12,271 - It could have been me. 115 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:16,391 Suddenly Phipps saw his chance. 116 00:09:16,480 --> 00:09:18,711 While his friends were causing this diversion, 117 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:23,591 he would test the so-called impregnability of Stalag Luft 1 12 B. 118 00:09:26,160 --> 00:09:27,799 Get his gun, quick! 119 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:34,035 Hey, you! Major, come back! 120 00:09:37,160 --> 00:09:39,391 Phipps, come back! Do you hear me? 121 00:09:43,120 --> 00:09:44,998 This is your last warning. 122 00:09:56,280 --> 00:09:58,397 Thank you, Herr Attenborough. 123 00:09:58,480 --> 00:10:01,791 You couldn't run a bloody jumble sale, could you, Vogel? 124 00:10:18,240 --> 00:10:19,879 - Hello, Buffy. - Hello, Biffo. 125 00:10:19,960 --> 00:10:21,792 - Hello, Squidgy. - Hello. 126 00:10:21,920 --> 00:10:23,195 Hello, Biffo. 127 00:10:23,280 --> 00:10:25,272 - Hello, Dumbo. - Hello, Biffo! 128 00:10:25,360 --> 00:10:26,953 At ease, chaps. 129 00:10:38,400 --> 00:10:40,960 Hello, Tosh. Hello, Smudger. 130 00:10:42,240 --> 00:10:44,550 Hello, Spiker, how's the leg? 131 00:10:44,680 --> 00:10:46,433 It's nearly finished, sir. 132 00:10:46,520 --> 00:10:48,989 Good, damn good. 133 00:10:54,960 --> 00:10:57,191 What's the matter, Chips? Feeling low? 134 00:10:57,280 --> 00:10:59,237 Oh. No, no, it's... It's nothing, sir. 135 00:11:01,040 --> 00:11:04,238 I know, I know. I feel like that sometimes. 136 00:11:06,920 --> 00:11:08,513 - Cigarette? - Oh, yeah. 137 00:11:08,600 --> 00:11:10,432 I've got one somewhere, sir. 138 00:11:11,080 --> 00:11:12,992 Anything I can do, Chips? 139 00:11:13,720 --> 00:11:16,997 No, it's nothing, sir. It's just... It's just that the wife's... 140 00:11:19,320 --> 00:11:20,834 Wife's got married... 141 00:11:21,440 --> 00:11:23,397 - Married again, sir. - Ah. 142 00:11:24,400 --> 00:11:27,996 - Oh. Have you got any tipped? 143 00:11:28,080 --> 00:11:29,753 No, sir. Just these, sir. 144 00:11:29,840 --> 00:11:30,876 I've got a cigar. 145 00:11:30,960 --> 00:11:34,351 - But I was... I was going to save that. - Oh, that'll do. Thanks. 146 00:11:35,360 --> 00:11:37,238 She was everything to me, sir. 147 00:11:37,320 --> 00:11:39,198 Everything I ever had. 148 00:11:39,880 --> 00:11:41,917 We had such good times together. 149 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:43,957 Last leave was the best of all, sir. 150 00:11:46,680 --> 00:11:48,034 Then this. 151 00:11:48,120 --> 00:11:50,157 I don't know how she could do it, sir. 152 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:55,432 - Where's the cigar? - It's on the locker, sir, behind the photo. 153 00:11:55,520 --> 00:11:56,715 Ah, yes. Thanks. 154 00:11:58,120 --> 00:12:00,680 I just... I feel so helpless, sir. 155 00:12:01,480 --> 00:12:04,234 I want to be back there with her. 156 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:05,436 But it's too late. 157 00:12:05,520 --> 00:12:07,477 Can't see the cigar anywhere. 158 00:12:08,520 --> 00:12:10,637 It's probably fallen down the back, sir. 159 00:12:10,720 --> 00:12:12,313 Ah, fine. 160 00:12:13,240 --> 00:12:14,310 I... 161 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:16,915 I've never told anyone this before, sir, but... 162 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:20,072 there was a time when we... we didn't get on that well, sir. 163 00:12:21,320 --> 00:12:22,959 The wife... 164 00:12:23,040 --> 00:12:26,192 The wife had an operation down there, sir. 165 00:12:26,280 --> 00:12:28,670 - I can't see it. - And afterwards, she... 166 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:32,310 - She didn't like doing it. - What? 167 00:12:32,400 --> 00:12:35,154 She didn't like doing it for a bit, sir. 168 00:12:36,200 --> 00:12:38,396 - Is this it? - Oh, yes. That's it, sir. 169 00:12:38,480 --> 00:12:40,870 - She sent it to me for Christmas. - Oh, thanks. 170 00:12:49,160 --> 00:12:51,800 - So, you're Phipps, are you? - Yes, that's right, sir. 171 00:12:51,880 --> 00:12:56,397 I'm Harry Harcourt Badger Owen, but senior ranks call me Biffo. 172 00:12:56,480 --> 00:12:58,358 I'm the CO here. Got any cigarettes? 173 00:12:58,440 --> 00:13:00,909 No, don't smoke, sir. Try to keep fit. 174 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:03,276 Never know when the moment might come, sir. 175 00:13:03,360 --> 00:13:05,113 - The moment? - To escape, sir. 176 00:13:05,200 --> 00:13:09,399 - Get back home. Fight the Boche. - Ah, yes. I know how you feel. 177 00:13:09,920 --> 00:13:14,551 The trouble is, this damn place is virtually impossible to get out of, 178 00:13:14,640 --> 00:13:16,597 as I believe you learned early on. 179 00:13:17,320 --> 00:13:19,630 Well, I've had a few ideas since then, sir. 180 00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:23,396 I've started on a glider made entirely out of toilet roll holders. 181 00:13:23,480 --> 00:13:28,555 Ah, yes, you see, we have a sort of, er, agreement here about escapes. 182 00:13:28,640 --> 00:13:33,760 We have a sort of system whereby all escape plans go to an escape committee. 183 00:13:33,840 --> 00:13:37,595 The committee then recommends some of them to a full session of the escape board. 184 00:13:37,680 --> 00:13:41,640 And whichever plan has a two-thirds majority is put to a secret ballot. 185 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:44,918 And the plan with the most votes then becomes the official plan, 186 00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:46,832 and goes to the escape plan review committee. 187 00:13:46,920 --> 00:13:48,957 - Yes... - And if they like it, they'll commission 188 00:13:49,040 --> 00:13:51,714 - a feasibility study. - When's the next meeting, sir? 189 00:13:51,840 --> 00:13:52,830 June the 5th. 190 00:13:53,240 --> 00:13:55,630 - June the 5th? - Yes, 3:30. But don't tell anybody. 191 00:13:55,720 --> 00:13:57,473 But that's four months away. 192 00:13:57,560 --> 00:14:01,031 Yes, well, the trouble is, with Easter coming up, 193 00:14:01,120 --> 00:14:03,191 and then there's the start of the cricket season... 194 00:14:03,280 --> 00:14:06,478 - But the war might be over by then. - Well, let's hope not, obviously. 195 00:14:06,560 --> 00:14:08,552 Listen. I've made a start on the fuselage. 196 00:14:08,640 --> 00:14:11,360 All I need is a couple of your fellows to help me with the wings. 197 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:12,635 Look. 198 00:14:15,920 --> 00:14:18,594 - For God's sake, put that thing away. - Hey, watch out! 199 00:14:20,120 --> 00:14:21,998 - Shut it, you damn fool. - Be careful! 200 00:14:23,320 --> 00:14:26,438 Listen, Phipps, I don't want to hear anything about escape plans 201 00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:28,432 except through the correct channels, do you hear? 202 00:14:28,520 --> 00:14:30,398 There are 1400 toilet rolls in there. 203 00:14:30,480 --> 00:14:34,269 I'm sorry, Phipps, but this is our camp and we do things our way. 204 00:14:34,360 --> 00:14:38,115 You bally idiots! What's the matter with you? Don't you want to escape? 205 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:40,760 There's a proper way of doing things, Phipps. 206 00:14:40,840 --> 00:14:42,911 Like sitting on your arses till the war's over? 207 00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:47,597 Now listen, Phipps, either you play it our way or you don't play it at all. 208 00:14:47,680 --> 00:14:50,832 I wouldn't play it your way. Not while there's a war to win. 209 00:14:50,920 --> 00:14:52,957 I'm going to escape, you hear me? 210 00:14:53,040 --> 00:14:56,158 I'm going to escape, even if I have to do it on my own. 211 00:15:00,320 --> 00:15:04,553 You will be on your own, Major Phipps. I can assure you of that. 212 00:15:08,920 --> 00:15:11,958 Cheerio, Spiker. Pads out for junior league tomorrow. 213 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:14,999 Righto, Biffo, sir. Remember I'm going in number three this year, sir. 214 00:15:15,080 --> 00:15:17,834 - Damn good. Cheerio, Smudger. - Cheerio, Biffo. 215 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:19,639 - Cheerio, Buffy. - Cheerio, Biffo. 216 00:15:19,720 --> 00:15:21,234 - Cheerio, Squidgy. - Cheerio, Biffo. 217 00:15:21,320 --> 00:15:23,073 - Cheerio, Dumbo. - Cheerio, Biffo. 218 00:15:23,160 --> 00:15:24,913 Cheerio, Biffo. 219 00:15:59,800 --> 00:16:01,712 Whoa! Damn fine shot. 220 00:16:20,120 --> 00:16:22,077 Well done, sir. 221 00:16:25,880 --> 00:16:28,873 As the weeks went by, Major Phipps' contempt 222 00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:31,071 for the attitude of his fellow officers 223 00:16:31,160 --> 00:16:34,119 drew him into an ever-deepening isolation 224 00:16:34,200 --> 00:16:38,717 as he dedicated himself night and day to the one goal of escape. 225 00:17:15,680 --> 00:17:20,550 Working entirely alone and with a mind obsessed with his desire for freedom, 226 00:17:20,640 --> 00:17:23,314 he became almost a recluse... 227 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:26,916 Good God! How dare you, sir! Help! 228 00:17:29,240 --> 00:17:32,870 ...hardly ever speaking or communicating with his comrades 229 00:17:33,000 --> 00:17:35,151 as his plans neared completion. 230 00:17:38,920 --> 00:17:43,676 Until, after months of this solitary work, the great day arrived. 231 00:17:53,160 --> 00:17:55,311 - Where are they? - You're not supposed to be in here. 232 00:17:55,440 --> 00:17:57,716 - Where are they? - He's right, you know, we're not really meant 233 00:17:57,840 --> 00:17:59,832 - to come in here. - Shut up! 234 00:17:59,920 --> 00:18:02,276 If you don't tell me where they are, I'll blow your head off. 235 00:18:02,360 --> 00:18:04,670 We're definitely not allowed to do that, Herr Unteroffizier. 236 00:18:04,760 --> 00:18:07,229 Stop telling me my business. 237 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:08,595 What are you talking about? 238 00:18:08,680 --> 00:18:12,230 Them! Where have they gone? 239 00:18:12,320 --> 00:18:15,711 Was it a tunnel? Was it a wire job, huh? 240 00:18:15,800 --> 00:18:18,269 You mean they've... They've escaped? 241 00:18:18,360 --> 00:18:19,714 Of course they bloody escaped! 242 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:22,440 - Their victory. - Whose side are you on? 243 00:18:22,520 --> 00:18:25,479 I am on the side of justice, mein Herr, und legality. 244 00:18:25,560 --> 00:18:27,438 Christ. 245 00:18:27,520 --> 00:18:29,591 Now, where are your nasty little friends? 246 00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:38,151 Herr Vogel, what about the Red Cross? 247 00:18:38,240 --> 00:18:40,197 To hell with the Red Cross! 248 00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:44,359 Listen, what's the use of having a war 249 00:18:44,440 --> 00:18:47,319 where nobody does anything bad to each other? 250 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:49,312 What's the point in a war where everyone's saying, 251 00:18:49,400 --> 00:18:52,040 "Hello, how are you? Good evening, old chap, have some chocolate." 252 00:18:52,120 --> 00:18:54,476 Surely there are humanitarian considerations 253 00:18:54,560 --> 00:18:56,756 which are applicable even in wartime. 254 00:18:58,240 --> 00:19:00,914 I know. I mean, there's nothing I'd like better, 255 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:03,754 to give people my chocolate and say, "Hello, how are you?" 256 00:19:03,840 --> 00:19:08,073 But conditions of war create an unreality which call for a different kind of moral code. 257 00:19:08,160 --> 00:19:11,949 Are you saying that we should abrogate our basic responsibilities 258 00:19:12,040 --> 00:19:14,680 for our fellow men because of some disagreement 259 00:19:14,760 --> 00:19:16,672 over the size of the Austrian Empire? 260 00:19:18,320 --> 00:19:19,959 No, I'm saying there's a moral code 261 00:19:20,040 --> 00:19:22,635 that supersedes individual moral codes during a time of war. 262 00:19:22,720 --> 00:19:26,031 - But what you're saying... - Shut up! No more argument. 263 00:19:26,120 --> 00:19:29,079 From now on, we run this prison camp as though there is a war on. 264 00:19:29,640 --> 00:19:32,155 Do what you like. You'll never keep me in here now. 265 00:19:32,240 --> 00:19:37,952 Major Phipps, in this prison camp there are over 45 highly trained, fully armed guards. 266 00:19:38,040 --> 00:19:41,590 If you think we can't take care of one cowardly British officer... 267 00:19:41,680 --> 00:19:43,876 Don't you dare call me cowardly! 268 00:19:43,960 --> 00:19:46,031 I've escaped more times than all of them put together. 269 00:19:46,120 --> 00:19:49,192 Well, this is one time that you're not going to escape. 270 00:19:49,280 --> 00:19:54,071 By the time I've finished with this place, no one will ever escape again. 271 00:20:09,240 --> 00:20:11,311 Schnell. 272 00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:19,474 Left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right. Squad, halt! 273 00:20:20,400 --> 00:20:22,517 Left turn. 274 00:20:23,720 --> 00:20:26,315 Prisoners will answer their names. 275 00:20:28,640 --> 00:20:30,632 - Phipps? - Here. 276 00:20:33,720 --> 00:20:35,473 Alles hier, mein Kommandant. 277 00:20:36,880 --> 00:20:38,837 Und now, sport. 278 00:20:43,280 --> 00:20:45,636 Vogel's pressure was tremendous. 279 00:20:45,720 --> 00:20:49,157 Every move Phipps made was watched and controlled by guards, 280 00:20:49,280 --> 00:20:52,557 working sometimes 18 or 20 hours a day. 281 00:20:52,640 --> 00:20:54,120 There seemed no way out. 282 00:21:02,040 --> 00:21:05,670 Prisoner, attention! Left turn! 283 00:21:15,280 --> 00:21:18,796 Prisoner, attention! Right turn! 284 00:22:00,760 --> 00:22:03,116 Psst. Psst. 285 00:22:07,520 --> 00:22:10,558 - What do you want? - We wondered if... 286 00:22:11,360 --> 00:22:12,635 What? 287 00:22:14,040 --> 00:22:15,997 We wondered if... 288 00:22:17,040 --> 00:22:19,396 you were thinking of escaping at all. 289 00:22:19,480 --> 00:22:21,836 You don't think I'd tell you even if I were, do you? 290 00:22:21,920 --> 00:22:24,435 Of course not. Of course not. It's just that... 291 00:22:27,920 --> 00:22:29,513 - What? - Well... 292 00:22:30,600 --> 00:22:34,992 If you are, we wondered if perhaps we could come with you? 293 00:22:37,840 --> 00:22:39,433 - You? - We want to get out of here. 294 00:22:39,520 --> 00:22:41,512 We can't stand it any longer. 295 00:22:41,600 --> 00:22:43,956 - What is this? - You don't know what it's like. 296 00:22:44,040 --> 00:22:46,111 We're not happy here. 297 00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:49,079 - Vogel making it too tough for you, eh? - No! 298 00:22:50,080 --> 00:22:53,312 It's just that we used to have rules. We knew where we were. 299 00:22:53,440 --> 00:22:54,760 We knew them all off by heart. 300 00:22:54,840 --> 00:22:57,719 We had to, and Major Attenborough used to make sure we kept to them. 301 00:22:57,800 --> 00:22:59,359 Ja, ja, he was a good sort. 302 00:22:59,440 --> 00:23:01,238 He'd never have allowed us in here like this. 303 00:23:01,320 --> 00:23:03,073 This is sovereign British territory. 304 00:23:03,160 --> 00:23:06,790 You can't suddenly make us do things which are not in the book. 305 00:23:07,400 --> 00:23:10,916 Herr Vogel's cancelled our leave! He's put up all those lights. 306 00:23:11,040 --> 00:23:13,032 And now it's impossible to get out. 307 00:23:13,120 --> 00:23:16,079 But Herr Major, you know the camp better than anyone. 308 00:23:16,240 --> 00:23:19,074 Please, can you help us to escape? 309 00:23:19,800 --> 00:23:23,589 You really want me to help you escape? 310 00:23:23,680 --> 00:23:26,718 It's not only us, the commandant wants to escape as well. 311 00:23:27,560 --> 00:23:30,200 We've never done it before and you're doing it so often. 312 00:23:30,320 --> 00:23:31,640 Please help us, Herr Major. 313 00:23:31,720 --> 00:23:34,394 I will never besmirch the name of my regiment 314 00:23:34,480 --> 00:23:37,120 and my country by collaborating with the enemy. 315 00:23:37,200 --> 00:23:39,920 Oh, Herr Major, please help us. Help us. 316 00:23:40,840 --> 00:23:44,311 When I escape, I will escape in my own time. 317 00:23:45,320 --> 00:23:46,470 Now get off my bed! 318 00:23:56,000 --> 00:23:59,710 Phipps went back to sleep that night happier than for many weeks. 319 00:23:59,800 --> 00:24:02,918 The camp was falling apart before his very eyes. 320 00:24:03,720 --> 00:24:06,189 All he needed to do now was to choose his moment 321 00:24:06,280 --> 00:24:10,115 and effect the most spectacular escape in the history of the war. 322 00:24:19,520 --> 00:24:20,954 Oh, my God! 323 00:24:24,760 --> 00:24:25,876 It's open! 324 00:24:27,880 --> 00:24:29,519 Where are they? 325 00:24:33,440 --> 00:24:35,113 - Where are they? - What do you mean? 326 00:24:35,200 --> 00:24:38,830 Quit the fooling. I'm in no mood for a fooling, I warn you. 327 00:24:39,560 --> 00:24:42,439 I want to know what you've done with my 45 highly trained guards. 328 00:24:42,520 --> 00:24:45,479 - I haven't done anything with them. - Where are my highly trained guards? 329 00:24:45,560 --> 00:24:47,199 - How should I know? - Listen! 330 00:24:47,280 --> 00:24:50,432 - That definitely is against the regulations. - Sod the regulations! 331 00:24:51,560 --> 00:24:54,997 I want to know, where are my 45 highly trained guards? 332 00:24:55,120 --> 00:24:56,998 Well, they said something about escaping. 333 00:24:57,640 --> 00:24:58,915 They what? 334 00:24:59,000 --> 00:25:01,037 Yeah, they were so fed up with conditions here... 335 00:25:01,160 --> 00:25:02,230 Escaping? 336 00:25:12,560 --> 00:25:14,153 Stop! 337 00:25:15,920 --> 00:25:18,276 Steinbeck! Schwartzenberg! 338 00:25:19,040 --> 00:25:21,157 Venkavich! Stop! 339 00:25:24,840 --> 00:25:26,194 Phipps! 340 00:25:26,760 --> 00:25:28,672 - You must stop them. - What? 341 00:25:28,760 --> 00:25:31,400 They are escaping. You must stop them at once! 342 00:25:31,480 --> 00:25:33,312 No, no, I'm a serving British officer, Herr Vogel. 343 00:25:33,400 --> 00:25:35,551 I'm afraid I can't obey your commands. 344 00:25:35,640 --> 00:25:39,475 All right, all right, I'm not ordering you. I'm asking you as a friend. 345 00:25:39,560 --> 00:25:42,632 - Shoot a few Germans? - No, do your own dirty work, Vogel. 346 00:25:45,080 --> 00:25:48,312 But what's the point in having a war if you don't shoot Germans? 347 00:25:48,400 --> 00:25:51,279 - That would be collaboration. - Oh, my God! 348 00:25:52,840 --> 00:25:55,958 Bloody rules! I'm sick and tired of them. 349 00:25:58,800 --> 00:26:02,510 Oh, no! I just hit the commandant. 350 00:26:05,560 --> 00:26:08,314 Well, what are you going to do now, Vogel? 351 00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:11,120 What can I do? There's only one thing I can do. 352 00:26:13,120 --> 00:26:14,600 I've got to escape. 353 00:26:19,960 --> 00:26:21,917 For Major Phipps, this was the moment. 354 00:26:22,000 --> 00:26:23,639 At last he was free. 355 00:26:31,920 --> 00:26:36,119 Free to complete the largest glider ever assembled inside a prisoner-of-war camp. 356 00:26:43,120 --> 00:26:47,160 Free to complete a network of tunnels so elaborate that they later became 357 00:26:47,240 --> 00:26:49,152 part of the Munich underground system. 358 00:26:49,760 --> 00:26:54,391 He built a catapult so powerful it could fling him 200 miles across occupied Europe. 359 00:26:57,680 --> 00:26:59,990 He was about to construct a hot-air balloon 360 00:27:00,080 --> 00:27:04,120 using only the little bits you pull off Elastoplast before sticking it on 361 00:27:04,200 --> 00:27:06,078 when tragedy struck. 362 00:27:09,720 --> 00:27:11,552 The war was over. 363 00:27:21,320 --> 00:27:27,078 Major Phipps became the only man never to escape from Stalag Luft 1 12 B. 364 00:27:32,760 --> 00:27:37,152 He returned home a broken man and died three months later. 365 00:27:41,280 --> 00:27:44,318 He was buried here in Totnes churchyard. 366 00:27:44,880 --> 00:27:48,430 But his body was found two years later over by the fence. 367 00:27:51,760 --> 00:27:56,471 Major Phipps had made his last and perhaps greatest escape.