One fugitive Luftwaffe pilot came within 150 miles of freedom in an audacious escape. Chris Goss finds out more and clears up the airman’s oft-confused identity
Lovers of classic war films may recall a British example with a difference: 1957’s The One That got Away, starring Hardy Krüger. With a screenplay based on the 1956 book of the same name by Kendal Bur t and James L easor, it immor talised the unique exploits of Luftwaffe ace Franz von Werra, the sole Axis POW to escape Canada and reach Germany.
It was a feat that at least one other Luftwaffe airman sought to match; he too was held in Canada, but, by the time of his escape, the United States had entered the war, making the long journey to Germany even more difficult.
Spitfire show down
