How Great Escape hero fooled Nazi Germany into believing UK was developing state-of-the-art jet with fake sketches
A HERO of the Great Escape fooled Nazi Germany into believing Britain was developing a state-of-the-art jet with a series of fake sketches.
PoW Capt Guy Griffiths used crayons to conjure up the “Westland Wildcat” before leaving his drawings lying about for guards to discover.
Officers spoke to him to get information about the plane but, in doing so, revealed details of their own aircraft.
Spy Griffiths also forged documents for those planning to escape famed Stalag Luft III.
His story and drawings are to be exhibited at the National Archive in Kew, South West London.
The exhibition at The National Archives runs from February 2 to July 21.
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Head of Military Records Will Butler said: “Captain Griffiths had the Nazis running around in circles.
"He left these sketches among his belongings or under his bunk so they would be found during hut inspections for contraband.
"The idea was to fool the Germans into thinking the Allies knew more than they did."
Royal Marine Griff, the first Royal Navy officer captured in World War II, died in 1999 aged 84.
