The Escape Artists

by Neal Bascomb

  Like the other: Unpublished memoir, Papers of D. Morrish, LIDD: ADD-001; Unpublished memoir, Papers of J. Dykes, IWM.

  The British born: Schmitt, IWM.

  “I have no”: Ibid.

  He lived with: Hanson, pp. 49–53.

  At 7:00 a.m.: Unpublished memoir, Papers of J. Dykes, IWM. Private Dykes provided a lengthy, detailed account of his time as an orderly at several camps during World War I, well worth the read for anyone interested in the “Upstairs/Downstairs” character of their lives.

  “Taking the officers”: Ibid.

  “There was a”: Fussell, p. 89.

  Cash, with his: Schmitt, IWM.

  On November 5: November 5, 1917, Diary, Papers of D. Grant, IWM.

  That morning: Rathborne Account, TNA: AIR 1/7/726/129/1; November 5, 1917, Diary, Papers of J. Chapman, RAF.

  “eye-wash”: Harding, p. 92.

  Some of the: Letter from Robert Vansittart, December 21, 1917.

  The men tried: Report on Holzminden, November 1917. BARCH: R 85/4337.

  “not yet able”: Letter from Bennett to his mother, October 17, 1917, LJB.

  Every day, he: Bennett, “A Little Introduction Speech,” LJB.

  “A considered plan”: Ibid.

  Bennett began: Ibid.

  “By the way”: Letter from Bennett to his Mother, November 25, 1917, LJB.

  In late November: Letter from Leggatt to Family, November 30, 1917, Papers of E. Leggatt, RAF.

  “Good luck!”: Blain, unpublished memoir, IWM-B.

  “rabbit warren”: Ibid.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  the head of: Panayi, pp. 80–86.

  “could be obviated”: Report on Holzminden, BARCH: R 85/4337.

  “professionally incapable”: Letter from British Vice Consulate, May 16, 1917, TNA: FO 383/270.

  “The first officer”: Letter in Code, November 12, 1917, TNA: FO 383/275.

  “Holzminden was an”: Letter from W. R. C. Green, Papers of R. Burrows, LIDD: POW-010.

  In the past: Summary of Reprisals Taken by British and German Governments, TNA: CAB 24/6/375; Meeting Minute, October 26, 1917, TNA: FO 383/273.

  When it came: Letter from Adelaide Livingstone, December 19, 1917, TNA: FO 383/275.

  at 11:00 a.m.: Durnford, pp. 71–88.

  One orderly: Tullis, unpublished memoir, JKT.

  “All clear”: Durnford, p. 79.

  Gray and his: Australian, March 3, 1922.

  Thin lines: Durnford, pp. 71–88.

  Using spoons: Sunday Express, May 8, 1938; Morrogh, unpublished memoir, JDM; Recollections of L. J. Bennett, Oral History, LIDD.

  Initially, they: Australian, March 3, 1922.

  Since being released: Harvey, pp. 230–31.

  There was never: Cook, pp. 20–21.

  Niemeyer continued: Report by A. E. Haig, January 20, 1918, Papers of A. Haig, IWM.

  “The latrine, sir”: Letter from Christie-Miller, March 13, 1918, Papers of G. Christie-Miller, IWM.

  “The Scots are”: Harvey, p. 228.

  The greatest resistance: Ibid., p. 230.

  Another madcap: December 1917, Diary, Papers of D. Grant, IWM; Unpublished memoir, Papers of R. Gough, Leeds: POW-029.

  “What the devil”: Harvey, p. 231.

  “From troubles”: Harvey, “Ducks,” GA.

  At Christmas: Durnford, p. 75.

  The men sang: December 1917, Diary, Papers of D. Grant, IWM; Hanson, p. 200.

  at one point: Hanson, p. 199; Hargreaves, pp. 281–82.

  The following morning: Unpublished memoir, Papers of L. McNaught-Davis, Leeds: POW-043.

  into this cascade: Notes, Papers of M. Pannett, IWM; Durnford, p. 75; J. W. Shaw, “The Holzminden Escape Tunnel,” News clipping, Papers of J. Shaw, IWM.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Caspar Kennard wriggled: Winchester, p. 112. According to Winchester, Kennard joined the tunnel project in January 1918. Kennard left no record of the exact date, but according to his archival files, he was clearly working with Gray at this point in bribing a Holzminden dentist for supplies. Gerichtsschreiber des Landgerichts Brief, January 18, 1918, Papers of C. Kennard, RAF. Given Kennard’s arrest and imprisonment after escape, this timeline figures well.

  On reaching the: Harding, pp. 135–39; J. W. Shaw, “The Holzminden Escape Tunnel,” news clipping, Papers of J. Shaw, IWM; Unpublished memoir, Papers of W. English, RAF.

  January 26, 1918: January 26, 1918, Diary, Papers of D. Grant, IWM; Unpublished memoir, Papers of L. McNaught-Davis, LIDD: POW-043.

  Searches were common: Horrocks, p. 28.

  Bennett was worried: Bennett, “A Little Introduction Speech,” LJB.

  A mad scramble: Unpublished memoir, Papers of L. McNaught-Davis, LIDD: POW-043.

  “You know my”: Hanson, p. 245.

  Inspired by the: Bennett, “A Little Introduction Speech,” LJB.

  Since the recent: Bennett Family Album, LJB.

  “‘First Day—Got up’”: Hargreaves, p. 317.

  “A motley crew”: Unpublished memoir, Papers of G. Gilbert, RAF.

  They filled their: Hanson, pp. 136–41.

  “There was a”: V. Coombs, Oral History Interview, IWM.

  “Nothing has the”: Harvey, pp. 83–85.

  The night after: January 27, 1918, Diary, Papers of D. Grant, IWM.

  Other productions: Hanson, pp. 136–39.

  James Whale, who: Curtis, pp. 15–26.

  “Pots of paint”: James Whale, “Our Life at Holzminden,” Wide World Magazine, undated, Papers of J. Whale, IWM.

  “They insisted on”: Harvey, p. 238.

  “the comradeship of”: Ibid., pp. 168–73.

  The arrival in December: Letter from M. R. Chidson, May 15, 1936, Medlicott Family History, http://www.fam.medlicott.uk.com/HEM_files/7_HWMedlicott.html.

  A legend even to: Evans, p. 56.

  Dick Cash provided: Unpublished memoir, Papers of J. Cash, IWM; February 1918, Diary, Papers of D. Grant, IWM.

  At 3:30 p.m.: Ibid.; Durnford, pp. 60–63; Letter from M. R. Chidson, May 15, 1936, Medlicott Family History, http://www.fam.medlicott.uk.com/HEM_files/7_HWMedlicott.html.

  “All my boys: Unpublished memoir, Papers of N. Birks, IWM.

  When the officers: Report on Conditions of Officers’ Camps in Xth Army Corps, TNA: FO 383/399.

  “unblemished record”: Durnford, p. 63.

  “it was impossible”: Letter from M. R. Chidson, May 15, 1936, Medlicott Family Papers, http://www.fam.medlicott.uk.com/HEM_files/7_HWMedlicott.html.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  In late February: Durnford, p. 95.

  Since the Boxing: December 1917–February 1918, Diary, Papers of D. Grant, IWM.

  Rather than welcoming: Lewis-Stempel, pp. 246–247.

  “I felt like”: Vance, p. 68.

  At the end: Harvey, pp. 239–40.

  They left: King Country Chronicle, September 27, 1919; TNA: ADM 273/23/137; Morrogh, unpublished memoir, JDM.

  Quietly, usually: P. Mallahan. “The Big Breakout,” unpublished article, PM.

  Since being captured: Cook, pp. 147–48.

  In early 1918: Report by Clifford Campbell-Martin, TNA: WO 161/96.

  “The turn had”: King Country Chronicle, September 27, 1919. Garland states that this diversion came in December 1917, but this was unlikely, since it was clear that Gray—and Mardock—were at the time in charge, which did not occur until late February 1918.

  Just before dawn: Herwig, p. 381.

  “We will punch”: Ibid., p. 389.

  “If an English delegation”: Ibid., p. 394.

  “England ist kaput”: Diary, March 24, 1918, Papers of D. Grant, IWM.

  “Well, gentleman, for”: Unpublished memoir, SCHA: FP-CH 15/7/8.

  “German Offensive”: Continental Times, March 25, 1918.

  Another inspector came: Letter from Netherland Legation, April 4, 1918, TNA: FO 383/398; Note Verbale to Germany, April 5, 1918, TNA: FO 383/398; Times, March
13, 1918; Memorandum for War Cabinet, TNA: FO 383/440.

  in Schweidnitz: Rathborne Account, TNA: AIR 1/7/726/129/1.

  “commercial traveler”: Ibid.

  Cecil Blain was: Blain, unpublished memoir, IWM-B; Recollections of L. J. Bennett, Oral History, LIDD.

  At Neunkirchen: Ibid., Grinnell-Milne, pp. 252–72.

  Finally, Blain arrived: Blain, unpublished memoir, IWM-B.

  Back by the: Recollections of L. J. Bennett, Oral History, LIDD; Tullis, unpublished memoir, JKT.

  Kennard stood just: Durnford, pp. 96–99.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Whether they were: Harvey, pp. 142–43.

  There was a: Speech Notes, AC; Tullis, unpublished memoir, JKT.

  “black gusts of”: Hanson, pp. 79–80.

  “Letter Boy,” the: David, p. 442; Durnford, pp. 81–85; P. Mallahan, “The Big Breakout,” unpublished article, PM.

  “I do not”: Durnford, pp. 84–85.

  With his photography: Schmitt, IWM.

  With each additional: Rathborne Account, TNA: AIR 1/7/726/129/1; Tullis, unpublished memoir, JKT.

  “We must be”: Harvey, p. 135.

  In early May: Letter from Mardock to Bennett, July 4, 1958, LJB.

  Every additional foot: Morrogh, unpublished memoir, JDM.

  Already exhausted, and: Recollections of L. J. Bennett, Oral History, LIDD.

  Despite all: Peschardt, p. 84.

  Bennett’s kit: Letter to Bennett’s Mother, sender unknown, February 9, 1918, LJB; Secret letter from Bennett, addressee unknown, LJB.

  Finally, Niemeyer: Hargreaves, p. 330.

  Although Holzminden was: April 1918, Papers of D. Grant, IWM; Report by F. J. Ortweiler, TNA: WO 161/96.

  “I am in very”: Letter to Bennett’s Mother, June 6, 1918, LJB.

  “accidentally”: Tullis, unpublished memoir, JKT.

  In mid-May: Notes, Papers of M. Pannett, IWM; Summary of Reprisals Taken by British and German Governments, TNA: CAB 24/6/375.

  The tunnelers tried: Durnford, pp. 108–10; Morrogh, unpublished memoir, JDM.

  “worst man in”: Harvey, p. 248.

  “What, when all”: Ibid., p. 278.

  “They would never”: Letter from M. R. Chidson, May 15, 1936, Medlicott Family History, http://www.fam.medlicott.uk.com/HEM_files/7_HWMedlicott.html.

  Beetz ordered: Durnford, pp. 283–90.

  “Herr Commandant”: Ibid., pp. 284–85.

  “Yes, they are”: Ibid., p. 289.

  “sudden dash”: Letter from M. R. Chidson, May 15, 1936, Medlicott Family History, http://www.fam.medlicott.uk.com/HEM_files/7_HWMedlicott.html.

  While the guards: Grinnell-Milne, pp. 303–4.

  “one of the”: Flight, June 20, 1918.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  At the eastern: Durnford, pp. 108–9; Morrogh, unpublished memoir, JDM.

  At the start: Hargreaves, p. 392.

  They would no longer: Ibid., pp. 109–13; Papers of M. Pannett, IWM; Rathborne Account, TNA: AIR 1/7/726/129/1.

  A lunatic who: Winchester, pp. 142–44.

  Gray would be: Forged Document, Papers of C. Kennard, RAF.

  “I hope you”: Letter from Bennett to his mother, June 6, 1918, LJB.

  “true German style”: Rathborne Account, TNA: AIR 1/7/726/129/1.

  To help with: Schmitt, IWM.

  On June 6: Diary, June 6, 1918, HFD.

  nickname was Fluffy: Harvey, pp. 237–38; Durnford, pp. 120–24.

  “To prevent the”: Sydney Mail, August 6, 1919.

  Niemeyer had: Document from Holland, Harsh Treatment of Captain Robinson, TNA: FO 383/399; Report by Ortweiler, TNA: WO 161/96.

  “simple disobedience”: Court Martial of David B. Gray, June 12, 1918, TNA: FO 383/401; Durnford, p. 119.

  One night: Notes on Holzminden, Papers of M. Pannett, IWM.

  “last lap”: Durnford, p. 118.

  A few days later: Rathborne Account, TNA: AIR 1/7/726/129/1; Tullis, unpublished memoir, JKT; Bennett, “A Little Introduction Speech,” LJB.

  “nosed its way.” Recollections of L. J. Bennett, Oral History, LIDD.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  The tunnelers had: Morrogh, unpublished memoir, JDM; Notes, Papers of M. Pannett, IWM.

  When not on: Bousfield, “An Exciting Escape.”

  “Bone dry”: Tullis, unpublished memoir, JKT; Notes. AC.

  No one had: Forged Identity Card, CWB.

  “We hereby certify”: Günther Note, Papers of C. Kennard, RAF.

  “In our parole”: Durnford, pp. 128–29.

  Home John: Angus McPhail, His Book Holzminden, LJB.

  “Are you in”: Ackerley, p. 75.

  “Expect something big”: Diary, July 1918, HFD.

  Livewire reluctantly: Durnford, p. 129.

  Far from Holzminden: Harvey, pp. 291–30.

  “oysters and stout”: Letter from Frank Moysey, March 6, 1918, Papers of F. W. Harvey, GA.

  Gray led the: Durnford, pp. 124–27; King County Chronicle, September 27, 1919. Garland lends support to Gray being in charge of the men’s actions during the night of the breakout.

  The first party: Bousfield, “An Exciting Escape.”

  Once they were: Papers of M. Pannett, IWM; Blain, unpublished memoir, IWM-B.

  one to oversee: Recollections of L. J. Bennett, Oral History, LIDD.

  Commandant Niemeyer: Report by Lieutenant Purves, TNA: FO 383/399.

  “impossible peace ideas”: Continental Times, July 19, 1918.

  “the situation is”: Herwig, pp. 404–5.

  Meanwhile, the Spanish: Ibid.

  “Well, gentlemen”: Edgar Garland, “My Dash to Freedom,” Wide World Magazine, June 1919.

  The next night: Durnford, pp. 129–30.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  “Tonight!”: Freeman, James, “The Holzminden Tunnelers Want to Meet Again,” Answers, June 11, 1938; July 21–24, Diary, HFD.

  “A decorated officer”: Unpublished memoir, Papers of G. Gilbert, RAF.

  “If B house”: Durnford, pp. 131–32.

  “Holzminden—Escaped”: Winchester, p. 152.

  “Oh, shut up”: Ibid., p. 154.

  Throughout Block B: Morrogh, unpublished memoir, JDM.

  Bennett remained sober: Recollections of L. J. Bennett, Oral History, LIDD.

  “wonderfully Teutonic”: Durnford, pp. 132–33.

  the team assembled: Ackerley, pp. 84–86.

  “finale of a gigantic”: Max Gore, “The Long Dim Tunnel,” CHALK.

  A religious man: News Chronicle, July 24, 1948; Butler Account, as quoted in Durnford, pp. 159–60.

  Minutes before, Private: Hanson, pp. 263–64.

  They were depending: Letter from Ernest Collinson to Bennett, May 25, 1938, LJB; Ernest Collinson Record, ICRC.

  “Mr. Blain”: Winchester, pp. 157–58.

  Dick Cash was: Extract of letter from June 29, 1918, John R. Cash file, AWM: 2875.

  “Chocks away”: Winchester, pp. 158–59.

  During one stretch: Blain, unpublished memoir, IWM-B.

  “What’s up?”: Winchester, pp. 160–61.

  The guard paced: Tullis, unpublished memoir, JKT.

  Taking care: Blain, unpublished memoir, IWM-B.

  As he reached: Morrogh, unpublished memoir, JDM.

  In the distance: Foot, p. 18.

  “Bet Niemeyer”: Winchester, pp. 161–63; Blain, unpublished memoir, IWM-B.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Charles Rathborne thrust: Rathborne Account, TNA: AIR 1/7/726/129/1.

  “all-clear”: Bennett, “A Little Introduction Speech,” LJB; Bousfield, “An Exciting Escape.”

  After over an: Rathborne Account, TNA: AIR 1/7/726/129/1.

  “Your turn, Major”: Morrogh, unpublished memoir, JDM; Letter from Tony Wheatley to author, July 12, 2016; Senan Molony, “Titanic: The Last Photograph,” April 23, 2004, https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/titanic-the-last-photograph.html.

  “All clea
r”: Morrogh, unpublished memoir, JDM.

  David Gray scanned: Ibid.; Winchester, pp. 163–68. Barry Winchester provides the best account of the run to Holland by Gray, Kennard, and Blain. His description is backed up by the maps.

  When Bennett and: Recollections of L. J. Bennett, Oral History, LIDD; Bousfield, “An Exciting Escape”; Peschardt, p. 93.

  Six miles south: Rathborne Account, TNA: AIR 1/7/726/129/1.

  There was trouble: Notes, Papers of L. Nixon, IWM.

  “What’s the idea?”: Garland, “My Dashes to Freedom.”

  Back at the: Ibid.

  Soon after, Hartigan: Unpublished memoir, Papers of R. Gough, Leeds: POW-029; Notes on Holzminden, Papers of M. Pannett, IWM.

  “So, a tunnel!”: Durnford, p. 139.

  “The tunnel has gone”: “The Moles of Holzminden,” Popular Flying, December 1938.

  “Neun und zwanzig”: News clipping, undated, Papers of F. W. Harvey, GA.

  “Niemeyer’s jaw”: Durnford, p. 139.

  Then Niemeyer went: Unpublished memoir, Papers of R. Gough, Leeds: POW-029; Report by Lt. Ortweiler, TNA: WO 161/96; July 25, 1918, Diary, HFD.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Hunkered in: Bennett, “A Little Introduction Speech,” LJB; Bousfield, “An Exciting Escape.”

  The hunt was: Tullis, unpublished memoir, JKT.

  “full view of”: Morrogh, unpublished memoir, JDM.

  slipped his rucksack: Winchester, pp. 175–77.

  Gray drew out: Günther Note, Papers of C. Kennard, RAF.

  1. No officer of: Statement by Captain Batty-Smith, TNA: FO 383/399.

  “Go away!”: Ibid., Hanson, p. 274.

  He grew even: Statement by Lieutenant Ortweiler, TNA: WO 161/96; Harvey, pp. 241–42; V. C. Coombs, “Sixty Years On,” Royal Air Forces Quarterly (Summer 1976); July 26, 1918, Diary, HFD.

  “We urgently and”: Täglicher Anzeiger (Holzminden), August 2, 1918.

  The reward offered: Bennett, “A Little Introduction Speech,” LJB.

  On Thursday afternoon: Rathborne Account, TNA: AIR 1/7/726/129/1.

  Jim Bennett and: Recollections of L. J. Bennett, Oral History, LIDD; Bennett, “A Little Introduction Speech,” LJB.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO