Any escape from the camp was forbidden under the threat of death. Yet, there were some people who tried to achieve that, by either flleing from main camps, which was extremaly difficult. Anyone who would approach the fence could have been killed without any warning. Some tried to escape from working camps. This way was easier, because there were fewer guards but often they had no knowledge over the lands they stay on. with no food, preparations an escape was doomed to failure. However, there were 2 major routes which prisoners of war used to escape. Some used the route via Gdansk (Danzig) to Sweden. There was even a special organization from Bydgoszcz (Bromberg) which helped to run away f or money (ap. 2000 - 4000 Reich marks). Others like Mr Foster (his story is described further in this blog) used a way via Posen to Germany. There was also a possibility to run away via Russia. But, the general reception of fugitives by the Russians was negative and many ...
This blog is dedicated to people who were imprisoned in Stalag XXA in Thorn in 1939-45. We would like to show you that in the shadows of the beautiful gothic city there is also forgotten history.