Great Escape veterans to reveal secrets 75 years on in new show

They will appear in a live show to be broadcast in cinemas around the country to tell of the history and science behind the operation. It will be followed by a gala screening of the re-released 1963 film, which starred Steve McQueen. The famous Triumph TR6 motorcycle on which he tried to clear the border fences between Germany and Switzerland will also appear on stage at the Eventim Apollo Hammersmith.

The veterans to attend include Air Commodore Charles Clarke, 95, of London, who was shot down as a Lancaster pilot and held at Stalag Luft III, the POW camp in what is now Poland.

Mr Snow said: “We will remember the extraordinary bravery of the men who participated in the most daring escape of the Second World War and bring back to the big screen one of the greatest films of all time.”

Wartime music to be presented on March 24 by the RAF Benevolent Fund will be provided by Britain’s Got Talent finalists The D-Day Darlings.

The Great Escape was memorialised in a book of the same name and in the iconic movie.

They told how Allied prisoners dug three tunnels, Tom, Dick and Harry, in a bid to stage a mass escape of more than 200 prisoners.

On March 24, 1944, after months of work, 76 men escaped through Harry before guards discovered what was going on. Of the men who got out, three managed to get back to the war but the rest were recaptured.

Hitler had 50 of them executed, including the plotter Squadron Leader Roger Bushell, to deter other would-be escapers.

Project historian Colonel Paul Beaver, honorary Group Captain of Sq Ldr Bushell’s 601 Squadron, said: “We aim to put the Great Escape in its historical context, pay homage to all who took part and remember the atrocity that followed through the murder of so many prisoners.

“The movie is so popular because it taps into the defiant spirit of the Second World War and of men who were incarcerated but were determined to do something about it. They were prepared to risk their lives and displayed immense ingenuity.”

He added: “The escape brought together personnel from Britain, Norway, Poland and Australia and was a major boost to the morale of other prisoners of war. Despite the loss of life it was a tremendous achievement and will always be remembered as such.

“The Great Escape was also a way for the prisoners to continue the war from behind the wire.

“Hitler was so incensed that he mobilised every man available to find the prisoners. At one point there were one million Germans chasing 76 escapers.

“Three men made it back to Britain and rejoined the war. At the roll call, prisoners kept changing position or using dummies to confuse the guards.”

Tickets for the show are available at thegreatescape75.co.uk