If you've ever seen the movie, The Great Escape, you might be under the impression most of the escapees of the March 1944 prison break from Stalag Luft III were American and Australian. The event did actually happen, but it wasn't how Hollywood portrayed it - shocking, I know! After reading the book, it's understandable that Jens hated the movie.
Jens was one of three total men that successfully got away of the more than seventy that made the attempt to get away from the camp. Everyone else was recaptured. As punishment, fifty of those recaptured were shot. It was a very extensive plan and a very sad outcome.
This particular memoir is unique in that it tells the story of a very small group of men. Jens was a Norwegian pilot who escaped with another pilot, Per Bergsland, and hid aboard a ship to Sweden. The third man, Bram van der Stok, a Dutch pilot, was able to make it to Spain with the help of the French resistance.
The book was initially released in 1946 under the Norwegian title Tre kom Tilbake (Three Came Back). I really enjoyed the writing style, and Jens had a real talent in that respect. I've read a few WWII autobiographies, and this is one of the better ones. The writing style combined with the clear storytelling made for an easy read and a Good Book!
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