Service marks Kiwis' war role

More than 70 men escaped through the tunnel under Stalag Luft III.

Five New Zealanders' part in Great Escape from prison camp to be recognised in Poland today.

The role of five New Zealanders involved in the famous Great Escape from a Nazi prison camp during World War II will be recognised in a commemoration in Poland today.

The service will mark the 70th anniversary of the largest prisoner-of-war escape ever attempted, in which five Kiwi airmen took part.

Three were among the 50 prisoners later killed by the Gestapo for their roles.

The British Government will host the commemoration in Zagan, Poland, which will see speeches by veterans, a wreath-laying ceremony, a roll of the fallen, and a fly-past by two F-18 Hornets from the UK and two F-16 Falcons from Poland.

New Zealand Ambassador to Poland Wendy Hinton will be among those representing the country, alongside members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force and the New Zealand Territorial Forces.

Keepa Hipango, the great-great-nephew of one of the men killed in the aftermath of the escape, Flying Officer Porokoru Patapu "Johnny" Pohe, will also be there.

Squadron Leader John Edwin Ashley Williams, DFC, and Flight Lieutenant Arnold George Christensen were also shot by the Germans for their role in the escape.

Kiwi Squadron Leader Leonard Trent, DFC (later VC), and Flight Lieutenant Michael "Mick" Shand, DFC, were also among the 750 men who helped dig a tunnel underneath the Stalag Luft III prisoner-of-war camp, southeast of Berlin.

A total of 240 men attempted to escape through the tunnel on March 24, 1944. While 76 successfully escaped, only three airmen succeeded in evading recapture.

The feat was later immortalised in the book The Great Escape by Paul Brickhill, and the 1963 movie of the same name.

A total of 152 New Zealanders were among the 10,000 airmen who were held at the camp during the war.