5 Daring Story of WWII POW Escape Attempts of One Pilot

During World War II, many soldiers were captured and held as prisoners of war (POWs). Among them was a courageous pilot who refused to give up hope and made several attempts to escape. His name was William Ash, a fighter from Texas who joined the Royal Canadian Air Force to fight against the Germans.

1. Blending in Plain Sight

After his plane was shot down, Ash found himself on the run. Instead of hiding in the shadows, he chose to blend in with the crowd in Paris. With the help of the French Resistance, he tried to live like a regular tourist, visiting museums and galleries. However, his freedom was short-lived as he was caught by the German secret police. Fortunately, rather than facing a grim fate, he was turned over to the air force due to his status as an enemy airman.

2. Tunneling to Freedom

While imprisoned in Oflag XXIB in Poland, Ash and his fellow POWs crafted a daring plan. They spent three months digging a 100-yard tunnel starting from under a latrine. Their escape route led them through the tunnel and out towards the forest. On the night of their escape, 35 men crawled to freedom, though their success was fleeting with most being captured again soon after.

3. Identity Swap

Ash’s next move was as bold as it was clever. He switched identities with a fellow POW who was being transferred to another camp. This switch allowed Ash to land in a new camp where the guards were unaware of his reputation as an escape artist. He wasted no time and fled, eventually finding his way to a beach. However, his attempt to sail away was thwarted when he stumbled upon a group of German soldiers.

4. The Shower Drain Scheme

Not one to be discouraged, Ash concocted a plan involving a shower drain. He and a partner planned to hide under the shower huts until they could slip away unnoticed. Despite their careful preparation and the high-calorie snacks they collected for the journey, their plan was discovered. Guards found them before they could escape, covered in chocolate from their improvised survival stash.

5. Walking out with the Soviets

In a final act of defiance, Ash saw an opportunity to walk out of the camp with a group of Soviet prisoners who were on their way to work. He managed to blend in and almost walked out to freedom. But like his previous attempts, this one too did not lead to his escape.