Unseen 1944 POW Art, Sold at Auction, Reveals Secret Second Great Escape Tunnel
At Wellers Auctions, we take pride in handling historically significant artifacts, but every so often, an item we bring to auction leads to remarkable new discoveries. That’s exactly what happened with Lot 120 from our ‘Colditz: The Michael Booker Collection’ auction—a never-before-seen album of hand-drawn sketches by Flight Lieutenant Terence Herbert Francis Entract. Since its sale for £6,500, further research has revealed a major breakthrough in World War II history: the existence of a second escape tunnel at Stalag Luft III, constructed just weeks after the infamous Great Escape.
The Sketches That Rewrote History
Born in London on February 11, 1917, Terence Entract served in the Royal Air Force before being captured and interned in Stalag Luft III’s Belaria sub-camp after his Lancaster III was shot down in August 1943. During his captivity, Entract meticulously documented daily life in the camp, creating an album of 48 original sketches, paintings, and documents. The artwork provided an intimate view of POW life—portraits of fellow prisoners, camp scenes, theatre invitations, and even a typed letter from camp Kommandant Friedrich-Wilhelm von Lindeiner.
When we brought the album to auction, we knew it was an exceptional historical piece. However, it wasn’t until after its sale that new revelations emerged. Detailed study of the sketches has led historians to uncover a second escape tunnel built by British POWs—a story previously lost to history.
A Second Escape Attempt Uncovered
For decades, the Great Escape of March 1944—in which 76 Allied prisoners tunneled out of the camp, only for 50 to be executed—was believed to be the only major tunnel operation at Stalag Luft III. However, the Daily Mail’s recent report has revealed that just weeks after that ill-fated escape, British POWs embarked on another daring plan to dig a second tunnel beneath the camp.
The sketches in Entract’s album provide crucial visual evidence of this second escape effort, with illustrations of tunnel construction, tools, and hidden passages. These insights, hidden in plain sight for decades, have been instrumental in shaping this new chapter of wartime history.
Wellers Auctions’ Role in Preserving History
This discovery underscores why auctions are more than just sales—they are an opportunity to rediscover and preserve history. By bringing Flight Lieutenant Entract’s album to the public eye, we have contributed to a significant historical breakthrough.
For our bidders and collectors, this serves as a reminder that each item has a story waiting to be told. Whether it’s military memorabilia, fine antiques, or historical documents, Wellers Auctions continues to be a trusted source for rare and meaningful artifacts.
The Impact of This Find on The Second World War
The revelation of a second escape tunnel at Stalag Luft III adds depth to the understanding of POW resilience and ingenuity during WWII. It also highlights how historical artifacts—when carefully studied—can change what we know about the past. Thanks to our platform at Wellers Auctions, these sketches have now taken their place in the larger narrative of wartime escape efforts.
Stay Updated with Wellers Auctions
We are committed to keeping our buyers and collectors informed about the significance of the items we handle. This latest discovery is proof that the historical importance of an item doesn’t end when the gavel falls.
For those passionate about history, we invite you to explore our upcoming auctions—you never know what piece of the past you might uncover next. Follow us for more insights into historical artifacts, auction highlights, and groundbreaking discoveries.
Read the full story about the British soldiers involved in the second Great Escape during WWII here: Reveal of British soldiers in the second Great Escape.