Jack Harrison (RAF officer)

Jack Harrison (18 December 1912 – 4 June 2010) was a Scottish educator, military pilot, and prisoner of war during World War II.[1] Harrison was one of the last known survivors (at least two remaining known escape survivors are still alive today, John R. Harris RCAF and Ken Rees RAF, the news item quoting Harrison as having been the 'last' survivor was erroneous) of the Stalag Luft III Great Escape.[2] Stalag Luft III was a Luftwaffe run prisoner of war camp in Silesia (modern-day Poland).

For other people with the same name, see Jack Harrison (disambiguation).

Jack Harrison
Jack Harrison
Born
Jack Harrison

(1912-12-18)18 December 1912
Died4 June 2010(2010-06-04) (aged 97)
OccupationRAF pilot
Years active1942–1945

The Great Escape

Harrison was a prisoner at Stalag Luft III during World War II. As an RAF pilot he was took part in the planning of "The Great Escape" FROM Stalag Luft III. Harrison never made it out of the camp because the escape attempt was discovered before he could get in the tunnel. There were 76 prisoners who made the escape in March 1944. Most were recaptured and 50 were executed.[3]

Personal

Harrison was born on 18 December 1912.[4] On the eve of World War II, Harrison was a Latin teacher at Dornoch Academy in Sutherland.[1] He enlisted in the Royal Air Force as a pilot once war with Nazi Germany broke out.[1]

References
  1. "Death of Scottish 'Great Escape' survivor". BBC News. 7 June 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
  2. Smith, Lewis (8 June 2010). "Jack Harrison, last of the Great Escapers dies, aged 97". The Independent. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
  3. "Great Escape survivor dies aged 97". The Telegraph. 8 June 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  4. "Jack Harrison: wartime bomber pilot and Stalag Luft III PoW". The Times. 9 June 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
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