My dad was a POW in Stalag Luft III, arriving in July, 1944, after the Great Escape try in the early spring that year. My dad was a B-24 pilot who was shot down over Romania. He said when he arrived, there was a memorial that just said ‘to the 50’. My husband was in Germany on business a few years ago and toured the grounds of the former Prisoner of War Camp. The memorial is still there. RIP all those who lost their lives in their try for freedom. You won the respect of countless people and the admiration of generations.
The camp commandant allowed the memorial to be built - he, as a professional officer of the Luftwaffe serving his country who understand the laws and conventions of war, as opposed to the Nazi thugs - was appalled at the fact that prisoners had been executed.
The bravery of the POWs was astonishing enough, but his own courage in allowing the memorial in spite of the fact that the murders were at the direct order of Hitler, has always inspired me as well.