Description
Colditz – a forbidding medieval castle near Leiptzig, Germany – remains one of the most potent symbols of the Second World War. Reputed to be the Nazis most escape proof prison, this grim castle is the most notorious PoW camp in history with the distinction of being the only German prison that had more guards than prisoners.
The castle was specifically used to impound incorrigible, Allied officers who had repeatedly escaped from other camps but putting so many experienced serial escapers in one place proved to be a rather questionable idea. Despite more conventional escape routes gradually being sealed off by the Germans, members of “The Colditz Escape Academy” continued to jump, tunnel and sneak out of this “inescapable” prison in surprising numbers. Early in the war Hermann Goering made a public declaration that Colditz was “escape proof” but he was proven wrong time and time again.
Over 300 attempts were made during the course of the war, with more than 130 prisoners escaping and 31 successfully reaching home. When captured the result was three weeks in the solitary confinement block, however this didn’t stop prisoners inventing even more elaborate means of escaping, even catapulting themselves out of high windows and of course the famous design and building of a sophisticated glider.
This edition, reproduced from a pencil drawing by Nicolas Trudgian, depicts the imposing castle shortly after being liberated by American troops in April 1945. In the foreground below a Sherman Tank of the 9th Armored Division stands on watch, close to the sign that was erected by the US 69th Infantry Division.
THE SIGNATURES
Along with artist Nicolas Trudgian, these prints are also signed by a soldier who spent two years in Colditz during WWII.
Major PETER PARKER
THE COLDITZ PROOFS
Just 76 copies are signed by SEVEN veterans of Colditz and additionally double matted to conservation standards to include an original piece of the wooden floor from the Guardroom in the solitary confinement block. Each is issued with a special edition copy of the book “Collecting Colditz: and its Secrets” which is personally signed by the author, individually stamped using the original No1 Colditz censor stamp and presented in a gold embossed slipcase.
Major General CORRAN PURDON
Flight Lieutenant BILL GOLDFINCH
Major MIKE EDWARDS
Brigadier GRISMOND DAVIES-SCOURFIELD
Staff Sergeant MURRAY SHAPIRO
Professor PETER HOFFMAN (Special edition book)
The Colditz proofs are additionally authenticated by the official museum at Colditz.
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