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John Fancy, who died in September 2008, aged 95, was the most prolific escaper of the Second World War. Nicknamed ‘the Mole’ he dug eight tunnels at the various camps in which he was held, in East Prussia, Poland and Germany. Some were 40 feet below the surface and only 2 feet square. He escaped three times, only to be recaptured. His escape activities landed him in solitary confinement for a total of 34 weeks – one eighth of his time in detention. Whilst imprisoned at Stalag Luft III in Poland, in 1942, he helped to plot the breakout of 76 men that later became known as the Great Escape, and the inspiration for the Hollywood film. After the war John Fancy wrote a book about his adventures. Tunnelling to Freedom: The Story of the World’s Most Persistent Escaper, was published in 1957, by Panther Books, and became an instant bestseller. Aurum Press have acquired the rights to publish this classic work in a new edition, which will reveal John Fancy’s amazing exploits to a new generation of readers. His gripping and dryly humorous account reveals the fascinating details of life in the prison camps and the determination, heroism and madness of the escapers. We also see the incredible ingenuity and patience which John brought to bear on his escape attempts, often digging his tunnels with no more than a 10-inch butter knife. In addition to his tunnelling he also recounts his attempts to abscond from outside working parties, cutting through the camp's perimeter wire and jumping from moving trains. With a new Introduction that sets John’s activities in a historical context, and Illustrations including photos of John and his fellow prisones in the camps, plus his original plans of tunnels and artefacts including his German butter knife, this is essential reading for the WW2 historian and anyone who enjoys a good adventure story.
About the Author
Sergeant John Fancy, a navigator in the RAF, was shot down during a bombing raid in northern France on the 14th of May 1940. He was captured and held prisoner by the Germans until the end of the war, during which time he made sixteen attempts to gain his freedom. He escaped three times but was recaptured on each occasion. Tunnelling to Freedom: The Classic Story of the World’s Most Persistent Escaper is his account of his time as a POW. It was originally published in 1957 and reissued by Aurum in 2010. After the war he established a market garden in the Yorkshire Wolds, eventually moving to South Devon, where he died in September 2008, age 95.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
John Fancy is one of many unknown heroes from the Second World War. Captured when his plane was shot down at the very beginning of the war, John spent the duration of the conflict attempting to escape from various prisoner of war camps across northern Europe. John and his companion's actions ensured that hundreds of German soldiers were kept way from the fronts and instead were tied down searching for them when they broke out from a camp. This was vital to the war effort and allowed John and his friends to continue contributing towards the defeat of the Axis even when incarcerated.
As well as being a hero, John Fancy was a very good writer as his style was fluid and engaging. The book is very amusing at times and John and his friend Bill possessed very warm, friendly but determined personalities. This book is a fascinating insight into the mindset of prisoners of war who would do anything to escape and return home in order to continue the fight. I was also extremely interested to learn about the various methods the prisoners used to try to escape the camps. There were many talented men within these camps who used their knowledge and experience from their civilian professions to create equipment to aid their escape. Keep an eye out for some of the equipment they fashioned from tins and toilet seats to provide vital ventilation systems for their mining exploits.
This book also gives an invaluable account of the prisoner/guard relationship in a British/German context. The British thought the Germans were hard people who lacked a sense of humour; the Germans thought the British were mad as hatters, who didn't know when they were beaten! Books such as this provide first hand accounts of events which have been enshrined in popular films such as `The Great Escape'. It is refreshing to be able to separate the fact from fiction and I believe the reader can experience levels of emotion and empathy in ways never attained by watching comparable films.
John's sheer determination to escape his captivity is an inspiration to those of us today who give up all too easily! He is a hero of the Second World War and I salute him as such. This is a highly recommended read.
As well as being a hero, John Fancy was a very good writer as his style was fluid and engaging. The book is very amusing at times and John and his friend Bill possessed very warm, friendly but determined personalities. This book is a fascinating insight into the mindset of prisoners of war who would do anything to escape and return home in order to continue the fight. I was also extremely interested to learn about the various methods the prisoners used to try to escape the camps. There were many talented men within these camps who used their knowledge and experience from their civilian professions to create equipment to aid their escape. Keep an eye out for some of the equipment they fashioned from tins and toilet seats to provide vital ventilation systems for their mining exploits.
This book also gives an invaluable account of the prisoner/guard relationship in a British/German context. The British thought the Germans were hard people who lacked a sense of humour; the Germans thought the British were mad as hatters, who didn't know when they were beaten! Books such as this provide first hand accounts of events which have been enshrined in popular films such as `The Great Escape'. It is refreshing to be able to separate the fact from fiction and I believe the reader can experience levels of emotion and empathy in ways never attained by watching comparable films.
John's sheer determination to escape his captivity is an inspiration to those of us today who give up all too easily! He is a hero of the Second World War and I salute him as such. This is a highly recommended read.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
An enthralling story about the life and times of the author whilst in numerous POW camps during WW2. The description of life inside the camps and tunnelling gives a new perspective when considered against the Hollywood movies such as the great escape. The adventures whilst on the outside bring home the trials and tribulations of an escapee in enemy territory.
Format:Paperback
So many personalized accounts of WWII experiences have come to light in the last ten years, this is the original, written back in the Fifties. After watching 'The Great Escape' many times over the years, you think you know the story. Then you purchase this book and realise that the film didn't do justice to the real story. A fantastic book written without modern day hyperbole, it catalogues the numerous attempts made by Sgt Fancy and his mates to do everything and anything in their power to frustrate and disrupt their captors by tunnelling out of every camp they were placed in during their five years of captivity. This account does not contain the heart rending details of the FEPOW stories, it's more of a 'boy's own' adventure!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
John Fancy - the Mole (in more ways than one)
This is an amazing true story of a brave, obsessive and at times foolhardy hero who never gave up trying to escape from his German captors in World War II. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Huck Flynn
tunnelling to freedom
got for my dad who states "it was a book you couldnt put down.
you felt you were going through it and glad i was to young to actualy go through it".
you felt you were going through it and glad i was to young to actualy go through it".
Published on 6 May 2010 by A. Willis
Excellent insight
Really interesting read about the POW's and their own personal war against the Germans. Written when John was just repatriated after the war, it's a great insight into what really... Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2010 by Ms. Brydgette Bryon-edmond
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