Multi-disciplinary investigations at PoW Camp 198, Bridgend, S. Wales: site of a mass escape in March 1945

Journal article

Rees-Hughes, L, Pringle, JK, Russill, N, Wisniewski, KD and Doyle, P (2017). Multi-disciplinary investigations at PoW Camp 198, Bridgend, S. Wales: site of a mass escape in March 1945. Journal of Conflict Archaeology. 11 (2-3), pp. 166-191. https://doi.org/https://www.doi.org/10.1080/15740773.2017.1357900
AuthorsRees-Hughes, L, Pringle, JK, Russill, N, Wisniewski, KD and Doyle, P
Abstract

The largest escape of German Prisoner of War (PoW) in WW2 was in March 1945 from Camp 198, situated in Bridgend, South Wales, UK. Since camp closure the site has become derelict, and has not been scientifically investigated. This paper reports on the search to locate the PoW escape tunnel that was dug from Hut 9. This hut remains in remarkable condition, with numerous PoW graffiti still present. Also preserved is a prisoner-constructed false wall in a shower room behind which excavated material was hidden, though the tunnel entrance itself has been concreted over. Near-surface geophysics and ground-based LiDAR were used to locate the tunnel. Mid-frequency GPR surveys were judged optimal, with magnetometry least useful due to the above-ground metal objects. Archaeological excavations discovered the intact tunnel and bed-board shoring. With Allied PoW escape camp attempts well documented, this investigation provides valuable insight into German escape efforts.

Year2017
JournalJournal of Conflict Archaeology
Journal citation11 (2-3), pp. 166-191
ISSN1574-0773
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/https://www.doi.org/10.1080/15740773.2017.1357900
Publication dates
Print08 Aug 2017
Publication process dates
Deposited18 Apr 2019
Accepted04 Jul 2017
Accepted author manuscript
License
File Access Level
Open
Permalink -

https://openresearch.lsbu.ac.uk/item/86y4x

Download files

Accepted author manuscript
Rees-Hughes-GermanGr8Escape-v4e.docx
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
File access level: Open

  • 76
    total views
  • 88
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

'Kitchener's Mob': myth and reality in raising the New Army, 1914-15
Doyle, P. (2021). 'Kitchener's Mob': myth and reality in raising the New Army, 1914-15. in: Linch, Kevin and Lord, Matthew (ed.) Redcoats to Tommies: The Experience of the British Soldier from the Eighteenth Century Martlesham, UK Boydell & Brewer.
Scallywag bunkers: geophysical investigations of WW2 Auxiliary Unit Operational Bases (OBs) in the UK
Carr, S., Pringle, J., Doyle, P., Wisniewski, K. and Stimpson, I. (2020). Scallywag bunkers: geophysical investigations of WW2 Auxiliary Unit Operational Bases (OBs) in the UK. Journal of Conflict Archaeology. 15 (1), pp. 4-31. https://doi.org/10.1080/15740773.2020.1822102
Fortress Wytschaete: geological controls on the German frontline in Flanders, 1914–1917
Doyle, P, Verdegem, S and Schäfer, R (2020). Fortress Wytschaete: geological controls on the German frontline in Flanders, 1914–1917. Geology Today. 36 (2), pp. 64-74. https://doi.org/10.1111/gto.12305
Environmental Geology
Doyle, P. (2020). Environmental Geology. in: Scott, E. and Alderton, D. (ed.) Encyclopedia of Geology Elsevier.
The great war and Tommy Atkins
Doyle, P and Foster, C (2014). The great war and Tommy Atkins. in: What Tommy Took to War: 1914–1918 Oxford Shire.
An Unfortunate Accident of Geography: Badlands and the ANZAC Sector, Gallipoli, April–December 1915
Doyle, P (2016). An Unfortunate Accident of Geography: Badlands and the ANZAC Sector, Gallipoli, April–December 1915. in: mcDonald, E V and Bullard, T (ed.) Military Geosciences and Desert Warfare Springer. pp. 3-19
Fritz and Tommy: Across the Barbed Wire
Doyle, P and Schäfer, R (2016). Fritz and Tommy: Across the Barbed Wire. in: Walker, J and Declerque, C (ed.) Languages and the First World War: Communicating in a Transnational War London Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 79-97
Geology and the war on the Western Front, 1914-1918
Doyle, P (2014). Geology and the war on the Western Front, 1914-1918. Geology Today. 30 (5), pp. 183-191. https://doi.org/10.1111/gto.12066
Terrain and the Gallipoli Landings, 1915
Doyle, P. (2018). Terrain and the Gallipoli Landings, 1915. in: Crawley, R. and Locicero, M. (ed.) Gallipoli New Perspectives on the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, 1915-16 Warwick Helion.
Les Flandres belges; des belligerants aux prise avec l'eau et la boue
Doyle, P. (2018). Les Flandres belges; des belligerants aux prise avec l'eau et la boue. in: Bergerat, F. (ed.) 14-18, La Terre et le feu géologie et géologues sur le front occidental Paris Association des Géologues du Bassin de Paris.
Trench construction and engineering geology on the Western Front, 1914–18
Doyle, P (2018). Trench construction and engineering geology on the Western Front, 1914–18. Geological Society. 473, pp. 109-130. https://doi.org/10.1144/SP473.6
The Apollo missions and Moon rocks, 1969-1972
Doyle, P (2017). The Apollo missions and Moon rocks, 1969-1972. Geology Today. 33 (4), pp. 142-147. https://doi.org/10.1111/gto.12192
Disputed Earth
Doyle, P (2017). Disputed Earth. Uniform Press.
Kitchener's Mob The New Army to the Somme
Doyle, P and Foster, C (2016). Kitchener's Mob The New Army to the Somme. History Press.
Rough Riders Two Brothers and the Last Stand at Gallipoli
Doyle, P (2015). Rough Riders Two Brothers and the Last Stand at Gallipoli. History Press.
Fritz and Tommy Across the Barbed Wire
Doyle, P and Schaefer, R (2015). Fritz and Tommy Across the Barbed Wire. History Press.
First World War Leaders and Commanders
Doyle, P (2014). First World War Leaders and Commanders. Stroud History Press.
The First World War in 100 Objects
Doyle, P (2014). The First World War in 100 Objects. Stroud The History Press.