RAF and British Army personnel stood alongside Polish and United States Army colleagues to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the escape of those held at Stalag Luft III during World War II.
Military veterans and local school children were also in attendance as a Polish Honour Guard from 11th Commanding Battalion in Zagan performed a 3-volley salute, while two Polish F-16 fighters performed a flypast.
United States 1st Armoured Brigade Combat Team, based in Boleslawiec, Poland stood with their NATO allies in solidarity, to remember the 50 airmen shot after the escape attempt.
The Great Escape, is a famous Hollywood film released in 1963, starring Steve McQueen. It is a firm favourite film for many people, with dramatic scenes capture action leaps over barbed-wire barricades, motorcycle rides, and crash-landing planes.
However, more significantly the film remembers the men subjected to live as a Prisoners of War in Stalag Luft III, and their courageous escape on the 24th March 1944 as they crawled over 100 yards through a makeshift underground tunnel to freedom.
It is important for future generations to know of the bravery and sacrifice made by those prepared to risk their lives. Those who worked to help the men escape, those 50 airmen shot down after the escape attempt; the men themselves, who crawled the perilous tunnels.
United States Airmen originally shared the historic North Compound with the British, the architects of the scheme. Then, in the spring of 1943, RAF S/L Roger Bushell began to execute the plan, before the final ‘Great Escape’ on the 24th March 1944.
More about the Escape and the Prisoners of War's wartime log here, a website dedicated to those held at Stalag Luft III.
