Gueux and 'Great Escapers'

In true 'Run tradition, the now 'Great Escapers' of The Beaujolais Run® 2019 visited the Gueux circuit to pay their respects to the drivers of old. After admiring the latest restoration works by 'Les Amis de Circuit de Gueux' they headed for Blighty after a few laps of the circuit. Their cargo of Beaujolais on board, heading for sponsors and fundraising events, they carried fond memories of their trip and of those 76 brave men who made their escape from Stalag Luft III in 1944.

Fresh in their minds as they headed North to Calais were Flying Officer's Gunn and Dowse who were stationed at RAF Benson, the scene for the 'Runs opening launch just days earlier. Flying Officer's Gunn and Dowse both worked on the original 'Harry' tunnel and made their break for freedom, as part of 'The Great Escape'. Both were eventually recaptured and handed over to the Gestapo for questioning. Gunn was unfortunately among the fifty men of 'The Great Escape' who were executed after interrogation on Hitler's orders. Dowse had left the tunnel as the 21st man. He too was sentenced to death. In a twist of fate he was freed from the death cells at Sachsenhausen by the Allies before the death sentence could be carried out. He was subsequently awarded the Military Cross in 1946 for his valiant efforts whilst held as a Prisoner Of War.