In Chains - Prisoner's Bids for Freedom
Title
In Chains - Prisoner's Bids for Freedom
Description
A cutting reporting John Taplin and a friend's attempt to escape.
Language
Type
Format
One newspaper cutting
Publisher
Rights
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
Identifier
STaplinJA1268696v10028
Transcription
IN CHAINS
Prisoner’s Bids For Freedom
[photograph]
W/O. John Taplin, R.C.A.F., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Taplin, 12 Whitesmead – road, Stevenage, says that opposition to Germans bears bitter fruit, and his hard experiences substantiate his statement.
His introduction to prison-camp life was not pleasant, for he was kept in chains for about nine months after his capture in early April, 1943.
W/O. Taplin and his Canadian pal determined to escape, and changed identities with two soldiers attached to a working party
The Canadian’s subterfuge was discovered, but John Taplin’s newly-acquired Gordon Highlander badge carried luck with it and, separated from his partner, he continued his work in Army guise.
For one of many futile attempts to break loose and dash for friendly territory he paid dearly, and after a period of detention was a temporary physical wreck.
An enforced 800-miles’ march proved more than his strength could meet.
After Americans released his column on April 5, he was put under medical attention on the Continent until he regained sufficient health to journey to England.
Arriving home, he found his D.S.O., D.F.C. brother-in-law, F/O. William Bramwell, on leave, ready to shake his hand.
Prisoner’s Bids For Freedom
[photograph]
W/O. John Taplin, R.C.A.F., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Taplin, 12 Whitesmead – road, Stevenage, says that opposition to Germans bears bitter fruit, and his hard experiences substantiate his statement.
His introduction to prison-camp life was not pleasant, for he was kept in chains for about nine months after his capture in early April, 1943.
W/O. Taplin and his Canadian pal determined to escape, and changed identities with two soldiers attached to a working party
The Canadian’s subterfuge was discovered, but John Taplin’s newly-acquired Gordon Highlander badge carried luck with it and, separated from his partner, he continued his work in Army guise.
For one of many futile attempts to break loose and dash for friendly territory he paid dearly, and after a period of detention was a temporary physical wreck.
An enforced 800-miles’ march proved more than his strength could meet.
After Americans released his column on April 5, he was put under medical attention on the Continent until he regained sufficient health to journey to England.
Arriving home, he found his D.S.O., D.F.C. brother-in-law, F/O. William Bramwell, on leave, ready to shake his hand.
Collection
Citation
“In Chains - Prisoner's Bids for Freedom,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed September 6, 2026, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/collections/document/44340.