This country is at war with Germany.

We shall go under the end.

I remember the sheets of flame that came up and almost blinded us for my guns.

Hello and welcome to another episode of the World War Two podcast, I'm Angus Wallace.

At the outbreak of World War Two, the ancient Gothic castle of Koldits was converted into a prisoner of war camp.

Its location on a rocky spur overlooking river made it the ideal location for a high security prison or so the Germans thought.

Sent to Koldits was some of the most difficult allied prisoners.

Made famous after the war in memoirs, films and TV, Koldits was known for its multiple escape attempts,

some of great Derringdo, others were feats of ingenuity and engineering.

In this episode, I'm joined by Ben McIntyre.

Ben is the best-selling author of books including Agent Sonja, SES Rogue Heroes, The Spy and The Trader, Agent Zigzag, and Operation Minsmite.

Ben's new book, Prisoners of the Castle, an epic story of survival and escape from Koldits, the Nazi fortress prison,

takes a new look at Koldits and really fills out the story.

So Ben, thanks for joining me.

So let's start with where he's called.

It's why, why is it chosen as a prisoner of war camp?

Well, Koldits Schwarz is in East Germany.

It's about 30 miles from Leipzig.

And it was chosen really because it is this extraordinary 11th century vast 700-room edifice that kind of lowers over the town of Koldits.

And it was built by the electors of Saxony in the 11th century.

And it was really intended to intimidate their foes and also their subjects.

And to incarcerate people that they wanted to keep inside, unmarried daughters, you know, people, lunatics, brothers and business, that kind of thing, in those days.

...