33 Months as a POW in Stalag Luft III: A World War II Airman Tells His Story

by Albert P. Clark

Many fascinating stories of The Great Escape have been told since the end of World War II. Not until now has the story of Lieutenant Colonel A. P. Clark, the first combat personnel captured in U.S. uniform by the Germans, been told. In his thirty-three months in the infamous prisoner of war camp Stalag Luft III, Lieutenant Clark was involved in and responsible for directing escape work among American prisoners. His tale of courage and perseverance is accentuated by the stark photographs he took from the inside with a pinhole camera.

Genres: World War II

207 pages, Paperback

First published April 21, 2005

Reviews

[Andrew]

Lt. Col. Albert Clark was shot down on July 26, 1942 over France while flying a combat mission with the RAF to obtain combat experience as the USAAF began to establish itself in England. Thus he became one of the first USAAF officers to become a POW in Germany. This book is his account of his nearly three years as a captive of the Germans. For most of that time, he was held at Stalag Luft III, the POW camp made famous by the "Great Escape" which inspired the movie of the same name, and was involved in the planning and preparations for many of the escape attempts made from that camp.

Of all the POW accounts I've read, this one provides the most detailed descriptions of daily life of a POW. Clark tells us about the relationship between the POWs and their German guards, about the role of the Red Cross and YMCA in providing food and other items for them, and how the POWs occupied their time during the months and years they spent in captivity. It also shows how rank and command worked amongst the POWs, and how the officers tried to maintain some level of military discipline within their ranks.

Overall, an interesting and informative account of what life was like for POWs in Germany, at least through the eyes of a relatively senior officer. Clearly, each POW's experiences were unique, and it is equally clear that a great many POWs suffered significantly at the hands of the Germans. But this book does provide excellent context and overview of the larger POW picture.

[Whitney]

Not the best POW memoir, even from Luft III, but very readable and enjoyable.