The Last Escaper

The Last Escaper is a World War II memoir by RAF pilot Peter Tunstall, who spent five years in German prisoner of war camps. The book recounts his experiences being shot down over Denmark in 1940 and his subsequent life as a POW. Throughout his imprisonment, Tunstall made numerous escape attempts from various camps while developing ingenious methods to outwit his captors. His accounts detail the complex tunnel systems, forged documents, and elaborate ruses that he and fellow prisoners devised in their quest for freedom. The narrative provides a ground-level view of daily life in the German POW camps, including the social structures among prisoners, their interactions with guards, and the constant battle between captives and captors. Tunstall's documentation of interrogation techniques and camp security measures offers historical insights into this aspect of WWII. The memoir stands as both a testament to human resilience and an exploration of how humor and determination can sustain the spirit under extreme circumstances. Tunstall's story illustrates the universal drive for freedom and the depths of human ingenuity when faced with confinement.

Readers describe this as a compelling firsthand account of WWII POW escape attempts, told with unexpected humor and wit. Multiple reviews note Tunstall's "matter-of-fact" style when recounting dangerous situations. Readers appreciated: - Detailed descriptions of escape methods and camp life - Balance of serious events with lighter moments - Clear writing style that avoids self-aggrandizement - Insights into POW psychology and resilience Common criticisms: - Some repetition in escape narratives - Limited coverage of post-war experiences - Occasional unclear transitions between events Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (182 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (121 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Reads like a thriller but it's all true" - Amazon reviewer "His engineering mindset shows in the precise escape planning details" - Goodreads reviewer "Less dramatic than other POW memoirs, but more authentic feeling" - Goodreads reviewer

The Great Escape by Paul Brickhill A firsthand account of the mass escape from Stalag Luft III prison camp details the tunneling operation and aftermath from a prisoner who lived through the events.

The Wooden Horse by Eric Williams Three RAF officers execute an audacious escape from Stalag Luft III using a wooden vaulting horse to conceal their tunnel-digging activities.

Colditz: The Full Story by P.R. Reid A POW's chronicle of life in Germany's maximum-security prison castle reveals the elaborate escape attempts and daily routines of captured Allied officers.

Wings Day by Sydney Smith The biography of RAF Wing Commander Harry Day follows his multiple escape attempts from German prison camps and his role as a leader in POW resistance.

The Man Who Broke Into Auschwitz by Denis Avey A British soldier's account describes his voluntary imprisonment in Auschwitz III to witness the conditions and help Jewish prisoners during World War II.

🔷 Peter Tunstall attempted to escape from German POW camps 20 times during WWII, earning himself the nickname "Persistent Pete" from both fellow prisoners and German guards. 🔷 The author wrote this memoir at age 95, making it one of the last first-hand accounts of WWII POW camp experiences published by a veteran who lived through it. 🔷 Tunstall deliberately learned German while in captivity, allowing him to eavesdrop on guards' conversations and better plan his escape attempts. 🔷 Despite being a confirmed "troublemaker," Tunstall was never executed because he always wore his RAF uniform during escape attempts, which protected him under the Geneva Convention. 🔷 The book details his time in Stalag Luft I, the same POW camp featured in "The Great Escape," though Tunstall was transferred before that famous breakout occurred.