P.R. Reid, one of the first British officers to arrive at Colditz, must rank as one of the greatest escapers of all time. He was so expert that his fellow prisoners made him Escape Officer at Colditz. He had to pass on and facilitate all escape attempts but could not participate himself. Later he resigned his post and managed to escape to Switzerland by a plan so obvious that he thought it had little chance of success. -- From the book jacket.

Sequel: Men of Colditz.

One. Apprentice. Escape reconnaissance -- The first bid for freedom -- The price of failure -- Two. Escape officer. The fortress prison -- Routine -- The second tunnel -- The community of nations -- The heavy Palliasse -- French dash and Polish temperament -- Just too easy -- Dutch porcelain -- The riot squad -- A staged foursome -- The informer -- Winter medley -- The Rhine Maiden -- Three. Escaper. The 1942 feeling -- Escape strategy -- Forlorn hope -- The walls are breached -- Liberty Express.