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The Story

The real story of Colditz

The Story

The Times

News, Investigative Reporting, Long-form Audio, Current Affairs, In-depth Journalism, Daily News, Audio Storytelling, Daily News Podcast, Global News, Politics, Uk News, News Analysis, Exclusive Interviews

3.91.6K Ratings

🗓️ 10 October 2022

⏱️ 36 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

It's a legend many of us have grown up with: a plucky group of British officers, finding themselves trapped in a heavily guarded POW camp during the Second World War, try every trick they can think of to break out. But, in a new book by Ben Macintyre, we hear for the first time the real story of Colditz. A story that's not just more complicated, but far more interesting than the one we were told.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Ben Macintyre, Associate Editor, The Times.

Host: David Aaronovitch.

Clips: BBC/Universal Studios, The Imperial War Museum.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Whether you're driving to work, cycling to a friend's place,

0:03.2

or on the way to your next holiday,

0:05.0

Amazon Music has your news-fix covered.

0:07.9

As an Amazon Prime member,

0:09.5

you have access to ad-free top podcasts.

0:12.3

To start listening, download the Amazon Music app

0:15.1

or visit amazon.co.uk-slash-on-the-go-news.

0:18.7

That's amazon.co.uk-slash-on-the-go-news

0:22.0

and listen to your favourite podcasts on the go.

0:24.8

Music

0:28.8

I've known the story since I was a boy.

0:31.8

Music

0:38.8

You were sent here to coldits to ensure you do not escape again.

0:41.8

And you will not escape again.

0:43.8

The sooner your class bet, the better for you.

0:46.8

Music

0:51.8

Coldits, the POW camp in an impregnable castle

0:55.8

in the middle of Nazi Germany,

0:57.8

where Jerry imprisoned our chat during the war,

0:59.8

before which they kept on devising

1:01.8

ingenious methods of escape.

1:04.8

It's an inspiring tale of fortitude,

...

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