---sound of engines----
---trample of feet---
---dogs barking---
---whistle---
- You've given us a great deal of trouble Lt Gerrington
-You'll be taken back to Gestapo HQ in Berlin
- and the interrogation continued
---sound of a ball---
- Oberleutentant asks you to wait, He's on his way, Sir
- Thank you!
- The USPs has arrived
- What is it? - Another brown job, this is all spit in the brasso
- You'll need your sunglasses on
- Good God! Looks like they picked him up in Whitehall
- Let's try it
---starting engines---
---beeping horn---
- Alright! Keep your hair off!
- Roadhog!
- Oberleutenant Clair - Good morning
- The Kommendant will see you shortly
- Should I go back to my quarters first? - No he won't be long
- Is this your bed man? - Corporal Beiger
- Show Corporal Beiger to his quarters
- Raus! Raus!
- Really, Fliegeleutentant Carter! That was a waste of time
- Welcome to Colditz! Shall we go?
- What's the matter? - Another shambles!
- Well, Erich - Father
- Have you said goodbye to your mother? - Yes
- She's given me enough food to last the week. - She worries about you
- She can't help it - I'll be back home on leave before she knows it
- Yes, I know but you will write to her won't you?
- Yes, of course - When you can, just a let her know you're alright. Sit down, sit down...
- I've told her, there's nothing to worry about
- I mean, my friends in France are having a marvellous time
- And I'm lucky to get a posting that soon especially on Junkers 88s
- You know that's the finest plane in the world
- Yes, still I expect you'll do more training
- With any luck I'll go straight to operations - Well, that's splendid!
- Something easy at first, patrols over the North Sea
- I was talking to a friend the other day He says everything has been easy
- Ever since we switched to the night bombing of London
- There are no night fighters, and the anti-aircraft guns...
..so inaccurate. We just laugh at them - Well, that's excellent, ofcourse
- I must go now, father.
- Look after yourself
- I'll send you some French brandy and perfume for mother
- Yes, she'd like that
- Good bye, father - Good bye, Erich
- Good luck
- You were sent here to Colditz to ensure that you don't escape again
- And you will not escape again! The sooner you get that, the better
- Have you anything to say?
- 30 days in solitary confinement - 30 ?
- The Kommendant has laid down that in future, that will be the minimum punishment for escape
- Take him away!
- Come in!
- Lt Col Preston, Sir
- Please, sit down Colonel
- Thank you
- I apologize for keeping you waiting , but one of your officers attempted to escape
- Yes, I was there, I saw it - Very ill advised attempt, I thought.
- So did I - Indeed?
- Stupid and pointless - We agree then...we agree
- Alright! Alright!
- Gathered, that in your last camp you didn't always agree with the authorities
- Not always, no
- I see you fought in the great war - Yes... - Myself also
- On the Somme. Were you there? - Yes
- I still find it hard to believe that men could go through such slaughter
- So many young men, at least this time no one has suffered such losses
- They may do so before the end - I hope you're wrong, Colonel
- Still, we are out of it. You and I
- You're looking at my war map this is my way of keeping in touch with things
- Is it up to date? - Oh yes
- I intend daily to... embrace the current military situation
- Nothing, on land ofcourse. It's the Luftwaffe
- The main target appears to be London - Yes, there will be many heavy attacks...
- against Coventry, South Hampton and so on...
- But the main effort is directed against London
- London has been attacked for many concecutive nights
- Where's your family, Colonel? - My children are evacuated
- Good! And your wife also? - My wife I think is still in London
- I had one letter some time ago, she was driving an ambulance
- Hm, Churchill should have made peace when he had the chance
- Did you know your predecessor, Major Donaldson? The former senior officer
- No
- It is the duty of every officer to attempt to escape ofcourse
- That is agreed - Yes?
- But, when the situation is hopeless, when escape is impossible
- surely, then.. an officer is releaved of that duty
- Maj. Donaldson did not take that view
- He actively encouraged any attempt to escape, I'm afraid
- Every officer is entitled to his own opinion
- May I ask for yours, Colonel?
- When escape is impossible, I disapprove of futile attempts
- I should have asked you before. Do you like an cigarette?
- Thank you, no I've taken up enough time of your time already - Oh, no please
- The one thing we all have here is plenty of time
- Relax, we don't do that sort of thing.. - We're looking for the Colonel
- He's due with the Kommendant, Sir - How long does it take?
- I can't say, Sir - Tell Col. Preston that we looking forward meeting him
- You'll find that you have some hot-heads here, Colonel
- Young men who think they should fight the war single handed
- But there is no war to be fought in Colditz
- As one professional soldier to another you might agree with me
- I'm not a professional - I assume your rank
- Territorial army - Ah, yes
- Hrm, the reserve army. Right
- I myself had a spell of civilian life under the Weimar Republic
- In a special camp like this, there are many restrictions place upon the prisoners
- Inevitably. - Are all those restrictions inevitable?
- Are you seeking special privileges for the British officers?
- I'm asking a question
- Strict measures are tideous for everyone, not least my staff
- Any relaxation would require your personal co-operation
- and the weight of your authority over your own men
- You may take it that I should accept responsibility for any order that I may give
- It would be convenient for security if we could segregate the nationalities.
- The Poles from the British except in the courtyard of course
- Why haven't you inforced that before? - The Poles have been here a long time
- And what is more, they all appear to be expert locksmiths, Colonel
- They can open a door with a piece of wire that I can't open with a key
- And Major Donaldson encoured the policy of what he called..international liason
- When was the camp last visited by the protecting power?
- Unfortunately, the Swiss authority has not yet visited this camp
- When was the last issue of Red Cross parcels?
- As yet , there has been no issue at all
- There are administrative difficulties
- I'm in command of Colditz, but I cannot always do what I'd wish to do. Do you understand?
- I can make no promises - You seem to expect promises from me
- Your request for parcels is a fair one - Before Christmas?
- In mean time I have your word as a senior British officer
- To co-operate with me in the matter of segregation - You have
- Hello, Sir I'm Cpt.Grant, Pat Grant
- Hello Grant
- Who's the officer of the day? - Sir!
- The Officer of the day ---Laughter---
- Where do you post daily routine orders? - Ehrm...
- We don't have those either, Sir
- Gentlemen, I would be obliged if you'd take turns to be the officer of the day
- ? might not come daily in fact, but they would help communication
- Yes, Sir - Yes
- And now I'd like to meet everyone if you please
- The wine is cold, and I asked for grouse, not pheasant
- You don't have a pencil, do you? Pencil ...
- Eh, pencil...schreiben!
- This is Cpt.Downing, Sir - Downing!
- And Lt.Player...and Muir - Muir! - Hello, Sir!
- This is Lt.Griffits...Lt.McLeod
- And this is Flight Lt. Carter's bunk. - Oh, yes I'll see him tomorrow
- You can't, Sir he's in solitary, no one can. It's against regulations
- I see
- Well, gentlemen - Where did they pop you in the bag, Sir?
- Near Dunkirk, I was on my way to a conference
- No one knew how far forward the Germans had got
- I drove slap into a squadron of Jerry Tanks - Perhaps, you'd been...
...better of if you'd stayed with the unit, Sir - Possibly, yes
- How far did you get, Sir? - What do you mean? - When you escaped ?
- In my last camp I was adviser to Col. Dawson, and I made no escape attempts
- Well, why did they sent you here, Sir - I don't know
- The officers that aren't regulars, what were their occupation in peace time?
- We've got all sorts, Sir. I was a civil engineer
- John, was a printer, we've got two bankers,accountant, lawyer
- Well, let me have a list of everyone's profession, and if regulars their speciality
- Very well, Sir. Are there any particular reason?
- I thought we'd start some classes to pass the time more constructively
- Classes!!
- Yes, Downing there's a great deal we can learn from eachother
- But I thought this was a special camp for confirmed escapers, Sir
- Who have failed to escape, since you are all here.
- Good night, gentlemen!
- Definately a chair born warrior! - Dah, he's not even a regular
- Nor are lots of us. - I do know anyway
- Oh, come on! I can spot a gemmed up terrier a mile off
- He put on his accent with his uniform for a start
- He couldn't command a country club
- Thanks! Thanks very much!
- You asked for a brief interview, Colonel - To request permission to see Lt. Carter, Sir
- That's impossible! Carter's in solitary confinement.
- I claim support of the Geneva convention, upon arrival the senior officer
- is entitled to interview all the officers under his command
- to satisfy himself about their welfare.
- Surely, that can't be taken to mean men in their punishment
- There is no reference to punishment whatsoever in this context
- I'm therefore entitled to interview Lt. Carter
- Very well, Colonel. Your request is granted
- Thank you!
- Good morning! My name is Preston
- Flight Lt. Carter, Sir - Yes, I know you are, carry on...
- Is everything alright? - 30 days is a long time, Sir
- Yes, it is I'm afraid - How did you get in here, Sir? I'm not supposed to see anyone
- I claimed the support of the Geneva Convention - Oh...
- I don't know anything about that.. - No, not many ppl know it by heart
- Any more? - No,Sir
- Look something up for me, would you. -Sir
- The provisions regarding the rights of a newly appointed officer
- Newly appointed... - Not now...in your own time
- There's no hurry
- Couldn't wait to suck up to Jerry, could he?
- Perhaps, he's got it in for the Poles - Nice quiet life, and no trouble
- That's what he wants... - Must have some good reason
- He hasn't got the guts to stand up to Jerry, that's all
- Why did you try to escape? - Why, Sir?
- Just to cause the Germans a little trouble? - To get back home
- You're married I believe - Just about...2 months
- but I was on ops most of the time - What's her name?
- Cathy - Did you know her long?
- Not really, she was my girl and we got married
- Yes, I know it's not easy. What's she like?
- She plays the violin, it's funny how someones face lives with you
- Is she pretty?
- She's got nice hair, brown eyes and a funny way of smiling
- So you wanted to get back to your wife? - Yes, Sir
- Wouldn't that also be going back on operations? - I suppose so
- I think this war is going to last a long time
- As an operational pilot, your chances of survival would be slim
- What's the alternative? Do nothing, and sit here?
- I couldn't face that
- You're not supposed to be here, Willie - Why not?
- Orders - The Germans
- British orders
- It's the new SBO , dirty trick if you'd ask me
- Also very awkward...
...but perhaps not
- When you got into that truck, what were your plans?
- To get away - You speak German?
- No - You have some German money?
- No - Civilian clothes hidden?
- No - Identification papers, maps, routes ?
- If I'd gone out, Sir I'd had a chance - Deep in Germany, in a RAF uniform?
- You didn't stand a snowballs chance in hell
- I'd do the same again, any time - And how much nearer to your wife...
...do you think another 30 days solitary is going to get you?
- You've probably been married a long time, it's different
- The period between wars, has been a difficult time for a great many of us
- I tried to run a chicken farm, and then was the depression
- After that I went into the motor car industry...
...but because of these ups and downs, I married rather late.
- I was 40, when I met my wife Caroline
- We've two children, and we've been married 7 years
- It doesn't seem a very long time to me
- You say that feeling that you have, it doesn't change with the years
- At least you had years, Sir not weeks - Yes?
- But stupid escape attempts only keep the Germans alert
- Which is bad for all the other prisoners.
- Another time, think about that, will you, Carter?
- Hello Grant! - Hello, Sir could I have a word with you?
- Yes, ofcourse - Leave that now, Baker
- Sit down, won't you - Perhaps I better not, Sir
- Well? - This order inforcing segregation of the British and the Poles
- Yes? - It reverses the policy of the previous SBO, Sir
- I'm aware of that - I don't want to be impertinent
- I hope not...
- Major Donaldson was very well liked, he always told us what the score was
- The score now is according with the DRO:s
- What I'm trying to say, Sir
- We may seem a bit bourgoise, but this isn't like a fighting unit
- We got nothing to do all day, except talk, think about escaping
- We're all slightly mad or we wouldn't be here in the first place
- But if you could talk to everybody how you see the situation
- That all? - That's all, Sir
- Very well, I'll talk to everybody tomorrow morning
- Right, Sir
- Gotcha!
- Cpt.Grant has indicated that you might like to know some of my thinking
- About Colditz
- First of all, I've seen like most of you too many men killed
- But at least they were killed in action
- The Germans here are entitled to shoot escaping prisoners
- And they will , I don't want to see any men killed in useless escape attempts
- Look, Sir what's that got to do with the Poles?
- This is a very special camp. Security much stricter than elsewhere
- Conditions much tougher. The Germans are constantly on the watch
- You've all caused a great deal of trouble in the past
- They're going to bear down hard to make sure it doesn't happen again
- What I want to do, is to lower the temperature
- Get some of the restrictions lifted. Get some breathing space...
- Where we can work out some sort of strategy to cope with this place
- I'll buy that, Sir - The Poles are a damn good lot
- Yeah... - So why sell them short?
- I gave away little of advantage to either side...
...in exchange for a possible benefit, which depends on the Kommendant
- Since when are we holding hands with the Germans?
- Just pray that we stay under the control of the Wehrmacht
- The SS would really like to get their hands on us, they think ...
...they can solve the problem of escape as in one
- They probably could - I'm sorry, Sir
- That all sounds like a barrel of excuses for doing nothing, to me
- Some of us still think there's a war on. And we're not afraid to go on fighting
- What you think, Downing is your own affair.
- I have given an order and I expect it to be obeyed
- You were mistaken about the Geneva Convention
- There's no such provision as the one you quoted
- I did not actually quote it, I claimed its support
- I could regard this as deliberate deception, and take the matter seriously
- I'm no longer sure I can rely on your word, Colonel
- I gave my order on the understanding that I could rely on yours
- You will kindly extend to me the same curtesy
- Very well, Colonel You may go
- I see he's finished falling on the Jerries
- You're wrong, Sir. Excuse me for saying so, Sir but you are
- That's alright Corporal - Sir, I've seen him in action
- He always said that the Jerry would try and break through with tanks
- and we had to find some way of knowing what was happening or there'd be panic
- so he used motorcycles. - Ehrm..
- He formed a long range penetration group, Sir
- 60 of us, armed with light machine guns
- We could move faster than Jerry, you see, Sir
- And we ambushed a column of infantry, destroyed all the lorries
- And made Jerry turn tail and run, Sir - Yes..
- Good try, Corporal, but that's typical Play, tip and run is it
-
- Never mind all of this. You'd think he was infectious
-
- How long do you think? - A month before it's big enough
- If we're lucky we'll be home at Christmas - Yes
- My home was in Warzaw. - Was?
- I don't believe it! Red Cross parcels
- Red Cross parcels
- Hey! Red Cross parcels!!
- Red Cross parcels!!
- About time too - You're glad to know the reason for delay
- The first consignment of Red Cross parcels has arrived
- The say that the Fuhrer himself has authourized this...
--as a gesture of Christmas good will
- I bet your Aunt Fanny told you that - No, a lorry driver from Leipzig
- Meatloaf, butter, condensed milk, tea. Real tea!
- Chocolate! - Anyone know what a powdered egg is?
-
- Who the devil gave authority for those parcels to be issued?
- A German, Sir - Who's the Officer of the day?
- I am, Sir - Why wasn't the entire consignment collected and brought to my quarters? Until I decide the rate of issue
- And that includes every piece of string and cardboard
- Yes, Sir - There's one parcel for each of us
- And what do you intend to do? Eat all yours now?
- You, Downing, take an inventory of the entire contents.
- You will then discuss with me which parcels are issued and which kept back for emergencies
- All of it, Sir? - Yes, all of it. There may be months before we recieve more parcels
- Until then, we conserve out resources
- Come on - We're behaving like a bunch of idiots
- Sorry
- Count them again
- Yes? - One Polish officer missing, Sir
- Any sign of an escape trail?
- A rope made of torn up sheets hanging from a window. But it wasn't used
- Why not? - The rope's too short. Underneath the ground's muddy
- There would have been impressions in the mud
- So he's laying low, somewhere in Colditz. - In my opinion, yes, Sir
- Very well, search the Polish quarters and the adjoining areas
- Including the British quarters - No, it isn't necessary
- Colonel Preston would not allow him to be concealed there
- I hear that one of the Poles got away - Hm, apparently
- Jerry, is searching the castle for some reason
- What's all this about? The Poles not being allowed near our quarters
- It happened when you're in solitary. SBO's orders
- He tore me off a strip for trying to escape
- I suppose he wants a nice quiet war
- He looks in a bad way
- If he's been in the hands of the Gestapo I'm not surprised
- Come in!
- My apologies for disturbing you, Colonel
- You have heard that one of the Polish officers are missing
- Yes? - We think he's still here in Colditz, in hiding somewhere
- Yes? - A thorough search of the castle has revealed nothing
- The entire castle that is, with the exception of the British quarters
- I gave my order, and made it clear that it was to be obeyed
- I must ask you to understand my difficulty. - Difficulty?
- My security officer now wishes to search the British quarters
- If I refuse it will place me in a impossible situation
- In relation to higher authority
- I didn't give my word to higher authority, I gave it to you
- Any search of the British quarters will be a direct breech of good faith
- I respect everything you say, Colonel but I have no choice
- You and I know that it's mere formality, nothing more
- But, with regret I must ask you to assemble all the officers at once
- Search here!
- Herr Leutnant!
- That's good
- Colonel Preston, if you please
- You can come out now
- Take him away!
- From your Red Cross parcels I think
- I shall inform the Kommendant of this, Colonel. He will no doubt wish to speak to you about it
- Which one of you disobeyed my orders?
- Gentlemen, you are officers who holds the King's commission, not a bunch of shoolboys
- I will ask the question once again. Which one disobeyed my order?
- You? - Yes, Sir
- Why? - It seemed like a good oppurtunity, Sir
- Explain.. - I didn't think they'd look for him here, Sir
- Go on
- He was going to hold up, until he's going to take my place in the exercise park
...and go to near shelter there, and then try...
- With whom did you discuss this plan? - No one, Sir
- Just a bright idea that the pair of you cooked up, is that it?
- Yes, but it could have worked. - Could it??!!
- So far I've witnessed two escape attempts on this camp
- Neither of which to the remotest possible chance of success
- Just get it through you heads, that you're not escapers
- You're failed escapers, and you'll go on failing
- as long as you behave like boy scouts in a summer camp
- We are deep in Germany, 400 miles from the Swiss border
- Not having any chance of success...
- An escape attempt must be discussed and approved
- How far do you think you're going to get?
- Without civilian clothes, identification paper? Money? Maps?
- A route? A cover story? Now, all these things need careful planning
- and good discipline, we needed time, Gentlemen
- We needed the Germans off our backs, allowed them into a false sense of security
- And we had some prospect of that, but now we won't!
- Because you had a bright idea...
- Becuase you thought it was a good oppurtunity
- Because at your age, you think that you know it all!!
- You and a number amongst you!!
- Actung!!
- A direct breech of good faith, I believe you said Colonel Preston
- I can no longer take the word of a Senior British Officer!
- I am entitled to an explanation, Colonel!
- I have none to offer
- You agreed to co-operate with my policy of segregation
- If in return I would obtain your Red Cross parcels
- I went into considerable trouble to get the consignement
- It was not easy , but I felt I was dealing with an honorable man
- So having got your parcels, You at once break your word.
- Is this your conception of honour in the British army?
- Sir! - Be quiet man!!
- May I ask if one of you officers disobeyed your orders, Colonel?
- Internal discipline, among the officers is my concern
- That of course would put a completely different
.. complexion to the matter. The officer concerned will be punished
- But there will be no need to withdraw any privileges
- There is only one officer responsible and that is myself
- I respect what you say, Kommendant but I accept full responsibility
- Very well, Colonel It will be 14 days solitary confinement
- Also, there will be 5 appelles a day at two early intervals for the next week
- If there's any breech of the rules, there will be an extention for another 7 days
- You have no right to issue a general punishment for a specific offense
- If you choose to make up your own rules, Colonel
- I must make up mine also. Perhaps it will teach your officers to obey orders
- Gentlemen, I'm sorry, it appears that you'll spend the next week on parade
- Jerry will get just as fed up as we will , Sir
- Yes, possibly. As regards the Polish officers...
..we revert to the former policy of liason
- But gentlemen, I would be obliged in future...
- if my orders are carried out to the letter
- Thank you, Baker