While Stalag Luft III no longer exists as an operational prisoner-of-war camp, its historical site is preserved and commemorated in Poland.
The Legacy of Stalag Luft III
The infamous Stalag Luft III, a German Air Force prisoner-of-war camp during World War II, is no longer standing in its original form as an active facility. However, the ground upon which it once operated has been dedicated to preserving its memory and the stories of the Allied airmen imprisoned there.
What Remains Today?
- Historical Site: The original location of Stalag Luft III is in Żagań, Poland (formerly known as Sagan, Germany). While the wooden huts and barbed wire fences that once formed the sprawling camp are long gone, the footprints of the camp are still visible.
- POW Camps Museum: A dedicated museum, the Allied Prisoners of War Museum (Muzeum Obozów Jenieckich) in Żagań, was established in 1971. This institution specifically commemorates the various prisoner-of-war camps set up in the area during World War II, with a significant focus on Stalag Luft III.
- Commemoration: The museum and the preserved site serve as a permanent tribute to the Allied airmen, particularly those involved in the mass breakout of 76 prisoners in 1944, an event famously known as "The Great Escape."
Visitors to the site can explore the preserved foundations of some barracks, see memorials, and even walk through reconstructed sections of the tunnels used in the escape attempts. The museum houses artifacts, photographs, and exhibits that tell the compelling history of the camp and the bravery of its inmates.
For more information, you can visit the official website of the Allied Prisoners of War Museum in Żagań.
