Roger Bushell - His First And Last Great Escapes

[@ultraslowhand]

A terrific little video, thanks very much for posting it. Just one very minor correction: The Great Escape was a 1963 film. My father (RAF Squadron Leader Peter Stevens MC) was Head of Contacts (i.e. scrounging) for the X Organization in East Compound at the time, and was also the only German-Jewish bomber pilot in the RAF. Dad and Roger Bushell both escaped from different wagons of the moving prison train between Lubeck and Warburg on Oct 6/41. Dad went to Hannover to try and get food, money and civilian clothing from his mother, only to learn that she had committed suicide on July 21, 1939. He was recaptured at Frankfurt train station, heading south for Switzerland. I believe that Bushell ended up at large in Czechoslovakia before he was eventually recaptured in Prague, some 6 months later.

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

Thank you for your kind comments. The date got muddled up in my script due to poor handwriting scribbled in a hurry. My 63 looked like 68 and I read it back as such. A friend told me afterwards, doh! I see you've posted a film about your father, I shall enjoy watching it.

[@47stampe]

Lovely thank you for posting . We have chatted before, but here is another great escape story. I am originally from the west county, learned to fly at Weston-S-mare “circa “ early 70’s . I’ve been flying for a “warbird” museum in Hamilton ont Canada for many decades . The museum has a donated dh -chipmunk that was owned by mr John ( scruffy) Weir who was a Canadian spitfire pilot. Mr Weir was a tunnel engineer in the great escape. His Chipmunk is registered CF- POW ...the POW is for prisoner of war . I often flying this lovely aeroplane, right back to my Chilton project .Rick

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

Hi Rick, that’s a tremendous story! Thank you for posting.

[@jeffhayes193]

Thank you for your time and effort on making this informative video

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

My pleasure! It’s a story I first heard years ago and it needed to be better known.

[@mandylangton2012]

Hello Nick, I enjoyed listening to this very informative video … well done. I hope to be able to meet you & your son when you’re next down here at Botolphs Bridge Inn. Sorry I couldn’t be of any more assistance. Best wishes Mandy (Landlady 17 years) Botolphs Bridge Inn

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

Hi Mandy, you were very helpful in being so welcoming when I contacted you. Will definitely come to the pub again soon!

[@GartyLimb]

He lives on in us all.

[@ericohara2582]

Thank you for this fun story and poignant memories. Although I do have a ppl and an aircraft in bits! I am not able to fly at t(e moment... However, don’t judge me too harshly for this; I enjoy recreating your flights as proper navex trips with the aid of FSX with many addons including real world weather. It keeps me virtually current :) Oh yes, it is in a C3 of course :)

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

I'd like to see your FSX version of my C3, sounds good fun!