Colditz visit

Discussion in 'WW2 Museums. Events, & places to see.' started by Owen, Jan 30, 2010.

  1. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Just found a campsite near Colditz that looks good.
    Always fancied visiting the castle.
    Has anyone been recently?
    If so how long was the guided tour, was it in English & would the kids get bored?
    Or can you just wander about by yourself?
    Cheers
     
  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  3. LesCM19

    LesCM19 "...lets rock!"

    I have PM'd you
     
  4. Harry Ree

    Harry Ree Very Senior Member

    Just found a campsite near Colditz that looks good.
    Always fancied visiting the castle.
    Has anyone been recently?
    If so how long was the guided tour, was it in English & would the kids get bored?
    Or can you just wander about by yourself?
    Cheers

    Intended to go when in Germany a few years ago.Had prepared well for the trip but out voted by the ladies in our holiday group as the trip was a long way from the Mosel for a day trip. I should have proposed an overnight stop.

    From reports,the castle's association with British POW era faded during the days of the GDR but there has been a reassessment of its role to attract tourism.During the GDR days it was a hospital and nursing home.

    I would certainly visit the place if I found myself in the area.As you know, you will not be disappointed with what is on offer as regards the various accomodation options.

    If you want to read further of the Colditz story,then get a copy of Reinhold Eggars account of 16 first hand accounts of attempts to escape from Colditz*.Eggars who was a Great War veteran, was a German schoolmaster,quite distinquished in foreign languages and called up at the age of 50 in 1940.He was called up to serve in the Erzatz Battalion,11 Leipzig but on account of his language skills he was transferred to Colditz on the 26 November 1940.He was at Colditz throughout the war apart from a couple of months,becoming the "Chief Security Officer".Postwar he was imprisoned by the Russians and Germans (GDR) until late December 1955.

    * Escape from Colditz by Reinhold Eggars 1973 ISBN 0-7090-4352-X.
    This also appeared as a paperback as Colditz Recaptured which was published as a revised edition in 1991

    Eggars also penned the publication Colditz:The German Story.

    Should be a good trip among some good countryside in the former GDR, where time stood still for 45 years.
     
  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Cheers chaps, Adam also suggested Eggers.
    I was having second thoughts about driving across Germany but it's such an iconic place I think it is a must see location.
    See what happens nearer the summer.
     
  6. Harry Ree

    Harry Ree Very Senior Member

    I was going to say that Eggars does not record the exploits of the ace of escapers,Lt Mike Sinclair who was tragically shot while escaping dressed as a woman, I believe.

    But you will find Sinclair's memory preserved by the web site Colditz Castle - Colditz Oflag IVC - Colditz Trips and Definitive History

    Apparently Eggars wrote his account of the escapers with information from those who were willing to communicate with him over the matter.There were others who declined, politely, to help him.I suppose Sinclair's NOK were in the latter category
     
  7. MJB

    MJB Junior Member

    Mike Sinclair was shot twice whilst at Colditz. On the first occasion he was wounded whilst impersonating 'Franz Josef' the guard commander, whilst trying to relieve the guards on the perimter with POW's prior to a mass escape. The second occasion when he scaled the park wire POW enclosure and made a run for a road bridge but was shot and killed instantly when the bullet bounced off his elbow into his heart. The Franz Joseph artifacts are illustrated in my book 'Collecting Colditz and its secrets'.
    Michael [MJB]
     
  8. Stormbird

    Stormbird Restless

    What good books can you recommend other than Pat Reids?


    I would recommend "They Have Their Exits" by Airey Neave; ISBN 0-340-10524-0
     
  9. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    "They Have Their Exits" by Airey Neave;

    cheers read that back in 1970-something when I was a lad, great book.
    Won't be going to Colditz now, had a family discussion & decided on a Gite in France.
     

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