40th Anniv Of Liberation of Colditz signed by 2 inmates. J C...

Hammer

£60

40th Anniv Of Liberation of Colditz signed by 2 inmates. J Courtenary, P R Reid. 8 May 85 BFPS 1945 VE Day Special postmark. Special 40th Anniversary Of Liberation of Colditz cover. Cover depicts Colditz Castle. Colditz Castle was where the Germans hold troublesome and highly prized prisoners of the Allied Officers in WW2. Only 4 successful escapes were made, the first on 5th January 1942 by Lt Col Neave R E and Lt Luteyn Dutch Army, on 11 June 1942 by Sqn Ldr Padden, on the 9th January 1942 3 British and 3 Dutch Officers escaped but only Flt Lt Fowler and Lt Cdr van Doornick, Dutch Navy reach safety and on and on 15th October 1942 by Maj Littledate K R R C, Maj P R Reid RASC, Lt Cdr Stephens RNVR and Flt Lt Wardle RAF. Personally Signed by Lt Jack Courtenary Captured 28th May 1940 arrived Colditz 21st June 1943. A member of the Eichstatt Gang. and Major P R Reid MBE, MC RASC Captured 27th May 1940 arrived Colditz 7th November 1940 Left Colditz 14th October 1942. Major P R Reid one of the few to escape from Colditz and escaped into Switzerland. Remained in Switzerland after the end of the war. serving as an assistant Military Attache in Berne from 9th March until early 1946 and receiving promotion to Temporary Major on 1 November 1945. He was unusually discreet about his duties there, but in fact working for the Secret intelligence Service ( M16) gathering intelligence from arriving escapees. 3 flown backstamp 2cachets. Certified Copy No 31 of 50. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99