Kriegie

Kriegie: Prisoner of War, first published in 1960, is the World War Two account of American airman Kenneth Simmons (8th Air Force) who was forced to bail out after his aircraft was damaged on a bombing run over Germany. He describes his capture and imprisonment as a 'kriegie' (prisoner-of-war) at Stalag Luft II. The book is filled with details of prison life and the complex organization established by the prisoners to help ensure their survival, and to maintain healthy conditions and order. Escape plans are made and tunnels constructed. Near the end of the war, and in the cold of winter, the prisoners are moved on foot to a new location in Germany in what became a "death march" with many prisoners dying or extremely ill. In late April 1945, units of General George Patton's Third Army reach the camp, and prepare the men for their journey back to the United States.