238262 F/Lt. Charles "Jimmy" Marshall MBERoyal Air Force 49 Squadron from:Sheffield My great uncle was Charles Marshall of Sheffield, wing commander/flight lieutenant for 49th Squadron in WW2. In April 1942, he bailed out of his aircraft following an attack but survived.
Charles evaded capture for three days but was arrested by German Police and imprisoned at Dulag Luft but he escaped over the perimeter fence after hiding in a sentry box until dusk. He was then arrested again and was sentenced to 14 days imprisonment but he picked the lock of his cell and got out of the camp once again.
Charles was moved to Stalag Luft 3, as it was considered more secure. However, on two further occasions he tried to escape by dressing as a German workman and carrying necessary papers. The first time he was able to get out of the camp but was later recognised and returned. Charles could speak fluent German and his attempts to escape are thought to have been with help from German prison guards.
Charles led the committee of allied prisoners in digging a tunnel out of the camp through which he and 31 prisoners escaped on 3rd March 1943. It is thought this escape and similar were contributory to the depictions in The Great Escape and The Wooden Horse.
Post war, Charles went on to work for the Secret Service but I do not as yet have any information about this. A remarkable guy!
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