Post by Marcus on Apr 6, 2007 8:10:19 GMT 12
'Great Escape' veteran dies in Port Alfred
Cape Town, South Africa
05 April 2007 06:28
One of the last survivors of the Great Escape team of World War II, Ian
Tapson, has died in Port Alfred at the age of 84. An essentially modest man,
he rarely divulged he was one of five South Africans who were part of the
team that planned and executed the escape from a German prisoner-of-war
camp.
The escape was immortalised in Paul Brickhill's book The Great Escape and in
a Hollywood film with the same title, starring Steve McQueen.
According to Norman Abbott, a fellow member of the South African Air Force
Association, Tapson passed away on March 30 in the frail-care unit of
Settler's Park, a retirement complex. A memorial service was held for him on
Wednesday.
Abbott said Tapson, who was survived by his wife, June, and a son who farms
in the area, worked as a municipal engineer in East London until his
retirement. "He was a very quiet person, most approachable and very
knowledgeable," he Abbott.
Tapson's link with the escape might have remained within his family had he
not mentioned it years later to a woman who had attended commemoration
services in Italy for airmen killed helping Italian partisans. He was then
prevailed upon to tell his story, publicly, for the first time.
Tapson was a lieutenant in the South African Air Force flying Kittyhawk
fighter-bombers when his plane was crippled by anti-aircraft fire over
Tunisia and he was forced to crash-land. He was captured and was sent to
Stalag III prisoner-of-war camp at Sagan, Silesia, near the Polish border.
Roger Bushell, a squadron leader, decided to organise a mass escape by
tunnelling to a point outside the perimeter fence.
The team members were all volunteers. Tapson, aged just 20, was one of them.
His task was to scrounge for wood to shore up the tunnels.
Seventy-six men managed to escape before an alarm was given by a guard. Only
three managed to reach safety. Fifty were recaptured and murdered by the
Gestapo.
According to Wally Vandermeulen, chairperson of the Port Alfred branch of
the South African Air Force Association, Tapson was not one of those who
escaped.
"When they drew the lots for those who were involved in digging and
construction of the tunnels, he missed out," Vandermeulen said. "He survived
until after the war when they were liberated by the allies." -- Sapa
Hi all
How many Kiwi's were involved in the escape and are any still alive?
Cape Town, South Africa
05 April 2007 06:28
One of the last survivors of the Great Escape team of World War II, Ian
Tapson, has died in Port Alfred at the age of 84. An essentially modest man,
he rarely divulged he was one of five South Africans who were part of the
team that planned and executed the escape from a German prisoner-of-war
camp.
The escape was immortalised in Paul Brickhill's book The Great Escape and in
a Hollywood film with the same title, starring Steve McQueen.
According to Norman Abbott, a fellow member of the South African Air Force
Association, Tapson passed away on March 30 in the frail-care unit of
Settler's Park, a retirement complex. A memorial service was held for him on
Wednesday.
Abbott said Tapson, who was survived by his wife, June, and a son who farms
in the area, worked as a municipal engineer in East London until his
retirement. "He was a very quiet person, most approachable and very
knowledgeable," he Abbott.
Tapson's link with the escape might have remained within his family had he
not mentioned it years later to a woman who had attended commemoration
services in Italy for airmen killed helping Italian partisans. He was then
prevailed upon to tell his story, publicly, for the first time.
Tapson was a lieutenant in the South African Air Force flying Kittyhawk
fighter-bombers when his plane was crippled by anti-aircraft fire over
Tunisia and he was forced to crash-land. He was captured and was sent to
Stalag III prisoner-of-war camp at Sagan, Silesia, near the Polish border.
Roger Bushell, a squadron leader, decided to organise a mass escape by
tunnelling to a point outside the perimeter fence.
The team members were all volunteers. Tapson, aged just 20, was one of them.
His task was to scrounge for wood to shore up the tunnels.
Seventy-six men managed to escape before an alarm was given by a guard. Only
three managed to reach safety. Fifty were recaptured and murdered by the
Gestapo.
According to Wally Vandermeulen, chairperson of the Port Alfred branch of
the South African Air Force Association, Tapson was not one of those who
escaped.
"When they drew the lots for those who were involved in digging and
construction of the tunnels, he missed out," Vandermeulen said. "He survived
until after the war when they were liberated by the allies." -- Sapa
Hi all
How many Kiwi's were involved in the escape and are any still alive?
