Eden Camp are marking 80 years of The Great Escape with a living history demonstration this weekend.
The modern history museum in Malton will be hosting the reenactment group, Axis Allied – who will be showcasing a real-life demonstration of the event that took place in Stage Luft III in March 1944.
The Great Escape Project will take place at Eden Camp this weekend, 17-18 February.
The project will be joined by a number of veterans’ families linked to Stalag Luft III and the Great Escape, and aims to remember each individual story, and highlight the huge impact this event had on the war effort and morale of the country.
Peter Wood, reenactor from Axis-Allied, said, “We are very delighted to have been able to make contact with and gain the support of dozens of families linked to both Stalag Luft III and The Great Escape.
“Over the course of the weekend, we will joined by a number of these families, some of which are displaying original artefacts and sharing stories. We will have re-enactors onsite portraying the roles of Allied prisoners of war and camp personnel. They will be demonstrating various workshops to show how everyday items were utilised in escapes.”
Visitors will be able to watch the Prisoner of War reenactors attempt their daring escape through a replica 80ft tunnel.
Summer O’Brien, collections and engagement manager at Eden Camp, said, “Eden Camp are incredibly honoured and excited to host such an interactive event, that not only brings history to life but, helps to commemorate all those involved in the Great Escape that have not been recognised until now.
“The event will showcase the different stages of the escape, as well as all the hard and painstaking work it took all involved to achieve this feat. It is truly not to be missed this February half term!”
The event will take place during the attraction’s normal opening times of 10am-5pm, and is included in standard admission for the museum.
For more information and to book your tickets, visit the Eden Camp website.