The Fernhurst Society
Tales from the Archives - 49
Joe's Daring Bid For Freedom
Due to Allied bombing of the railways, the Christmas 1944 Red Cross parcels destined for Joe's PoW Camp in Poland did not arrive until January, but the ever-resourceful Joe used two cigarettes from his parcel to bribe one of the German guards to get him a pair of pliers.
He managed to cut the wire and, with a friend from his hut, made his escape through the forest towards Crackow. They had to swim the freezing River Oder and were making for the Russian front line where they thought they would be safe. Luckily for them they didn't make it, because the Russians weren't taking any prisoners and anyone not in Russian uniform was shot. Villages were deserted where the local Polish population had fled from the advancing Russian army and the two friends scavenged whatever was edible.
They made it to safety and were back in England on 19th April, well in time for VE day on 5 May.
If you would like to know more about this story, or research other local topics, the Archive is open on Tuesdays, 2.30-5pm in the Village Hall. Other times by arrangement.
Christine Maynard
Fernhurst ArchiveOne of a series of short articles bringing you some of the incidents from our rich village history. Collated by Christine Maynard, based on documents preserved at the Fernhurst Archives, these originally were published in the monthly Fernhurst News.
The Fernhurst Archives
Fernhurst History
