Colditz Castle glider escape

A video showing the flight path that would have been taken by the Colditz Glider, had it ever flown. This video was taken from the meadow in which the glider would have landed. The glider would have launched from the lower of the two roofs to the left of the Castle, and glided down to land in the meadow at this side of the river. Cool! For much more material on Colditz Castle, including many more videos, visit my website at www.virtualcolditz.com

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• colditz
• castle
• escape
• glider
• flight
• mulde
• meadow

[virtualcolditz]

Sorry, but that's factually incorrect. There was no Col. Donaldson at Colditz, and the glider was definitely built in the attic. You can still see where it was built, and the 'modifications' that the prisoners made to the attic are still partially in evidence. Perhaps you are thinking of the Chapel Tunnel, which *began* in the attic but continued under the Chapel floor....

[batcave55]

i just did a tour of colditz,after the castle was liberated the locals from the town came up to the castle and the glider was broken up ,many bits were broken off and taken off as souveniers.hope this helps..steve

[virtualcolditz]

Thanks Steve. Apparently only one piece survives, as described below. Not sure the locals would have wanted souvenirs; they were more interested in staying warm! :)

[virtualcolditz]

It's not. It was discovered by the locals in the bitter winter of 1945-46 and taken to the Park, where it was broken up and used for firewood.

I have heard a rumour that the rudder still survives in a private collection. Other than that, the only sign that it was there is the sawn and repaired roof beams in the attic where it was constructed.

[virtualcolditz]

That's the one. Although the jam was used for making alcohol in Colditz; however they did use ground millet paste for the doping of the fabric.

[jimmyvan97]

Col. William Donaldson, an aid in the building of the glider said that it was built in main/lower floor of the castle...

[fourfortyroadrunner]

Amazing story,  "I read the book." What's really amazing is that Horrywood never made a truely good movie about it.

[Porta27PZR]

this escape was planned, but never attempted,

after colditz was Occupied by US troops, the brits showed the german guards the finnished glider. I wonder if its still in the attic ??