Jack Harrison (18 December 1912 – 4 June 2010) was a Scottish educator, military pilot, and prisoner of war during World War II.[1] Harrison was one of the last known survivors of the Stalag Luft III Great Escape.[2] Stalag Luft III was a Luftwaffe run prisoner of war camp in Silesia (modern-day Poland).
Jack Harrison | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Jack Harrison | |
| Born | Jack Harrison 18 December 1912 |
| Died | 4 June 2010 (aged 97) |
| Occupation | RAF pilot |
| Years active | 1942–1945 |
World War II
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The Great Escape
editHarrison was a prisoner at Stalag Luft III during World War II. As an RAF pilot he took part in the planning of "The Great Escape" from Stalag Luft III. Harrison never made it out of the camp because the escape attempt was discovered before he could get in the tunnel. There were 76 prisoners who made the escape in March 1944. Most were recaptured and 50 were executed.[3]
Personal
editHarrison was born on 18 December 1912.[4] On the eve of World War II, Harrison was a Latin teacher at Dornoch Academy in Sutherland.[1] He enlisted in the Royal Air Force as a pilot once war with Nazi Germany broke out.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Death of Scottish 'Great Escape' survivor". BBC News. 7 June 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
- ^ Smith, Lewis (8 June 2010). "Jack Harrison, last of the Great Escapers dies, aged 97". The Independent. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
- ^ "Great Escape survivor dies aged 97". The Telegraph. 8 June 2010. Archived from the original on 7 July 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- ^ "Jack Harrison: wartime bomber pilot and Stalag Luft III PoW". The Times. 9 June 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2010.[dead link]
