Welcome back, ragers, to day five of the Gloucester History Festival! Today, host Paul Bavill is joined by historian, author, and former war reporter Damian Lewis for a riveting discussion about the often misunderstood world of prisoner of war escapes, particularly those involving the SAS and special forces. Damian, known for his extensive work on the SAS, is here to rage against the common misconceptions surrounding these daring escapes.

Debunking the Myths: Damian Lewis sets the record straight on the true nature of prisoner of war escapes, moving beyond the clichés of tunnelling and vaulting horses.

• Understanding the impact of Hitler's Commando Order on special forces and their need for immediate escape.
• The psychological and strategic reasons for escaping at the moment of capture.
• Examples of audacious escapes, including the heroic actions of Gerald Hoff in North Africa.

Real Escapes and Strategies:

• The use of tunnels for hiding rather than escape, especially during the Italian armistice in 1943.
• The dramatic last-minute escapes of Serge Vaculik and Ginger Jones from Nazi execution squads.
• The formation and operations of the SAS's own Nazi hunter unit post-WWII.

Legacy and Justice:

• The role of the SAS in bringing Nazi war criminals to justice, led by Major Bill Barkworth and his team.
• The ethical approach to interrogation and the importance of psychological tactics over torture.
• The transformation from a mission of vengeance to a mission of justice, exemplified by the SAS's war crimes investigations.

Guest Information:

• Damien Lewis's book: "SAS Great Escapes 3"
• Catch Damien's talk live or on-demand at the Gloucester History Festival: www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk.

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