This text appears to be a transcript of a documentary or interview discussing a historical event related to World War II. It touches on topics such as a prisoner of war camp, a daring escape attempt, and the personal experiences of some individuals involved. The main focus seems to be on a man named Roger Bushell and his role in planning and leading the escape effort from the prisoner camp.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The speaker knew that what they had been ordered to do was wrong.
2. They were told to get on with it.
3. The speaker felt they had no other choice.
4. They believed that if they didn't do it, someone else would have.
5. The speaker expected to be held accountable for their actions.
6. They expressed a strong reluctance to carry out a certain deed.
7. The text mentions an investigation led by Frankhmut Kanor.
8. The crime in question was a murder.
9. It was described as the worst atrocity against Allied airmen in World War II.
10. The victims were 50 unarmed prisoners.
11. The crime was committed by the Gestapo after a mass escape.
12. The text mentions that the weather was deteriorating.
13. The forged passes they had were old and outdated.
14. The escape attempt involved 200 Allied airmen.
15. The escape attempt occurred on the night of March 24, 1944.
16. Roger Bushell was in charge of the escape attempt and was considered courageous.
17. Bushell's objective was to achieve the "grand slam."
18. The escape attempt involved 600 men digging tunnels, forging documents, and obtaining uniforms.
19. Some prisoners became skilled at acquiring needed items by bribing guards.
20. Dennis Cockrum, fluent in German, played a role in this.
21. The text mentions other individuals involved in the escape plan.
22. The escape plan involved several prisoners with different skills.
23. The prisoners were organized and coordinated their efforts.
24. The text includes a letter from the speaker's father.
25. The father expressed love for his family.
26. The father was a gentle person who loved cars, sailing, and the speaker's mother.
27. The speaker missed their father.
28. The escape plan involved prisoners waiting to be called.
29. The prisoners were quiet despite the impending escape.
30. The text mentions Yugoslav woodworker papers and Greek fighter pilot documents.
These facts are presented in the order they appear in the text.