[9] He bailed out and landed in the Ardennes Forest where he met some French soldiers retreating from the front line.

During his time in captivity Fowler had been making a bogus German uniform out of various bits of material and a civilian suit, smuggling them into the parcel office which was outside the main prisoners' compound.

[12] On 5 November 1941, he dressed in his bogus German uniform from the parcel office and climbed over the lightly guarded perimeter fence.

He managed to reach Sassnitz and attempted to stow away on a Swedish ship; but whilst at the docks he was arrested by a German policeman.

He was returned to Stalag Luft I and sentenced to 14 days solitary confinement, before being transferred to the 'escape proof' camp Oflag IV-C at Colditz Castle, arriving on 1 December 1941.

[13] Pete Tunstall claims that Fowler, whilst at Barth, was the first in WWII to use the term 'goons' to describe the guards, referencing a well-known comic strip.

"[14] During his time at Colditz, Fowler took part in 'goon baiting', which involved harassing and annoying the German guards as much as possible, under the able direction of Douglas Bader.

[16] The prisoners picked the office's lock and over a few nights built a tunnel which led from under the Stabsfeldwebel's desk to a clothing store with access to the outside.

[19] After entering the clothing store the tunnel was sealed to allow later use (it was discovered the following day during the search for the missing officers).

The party, led by van Doorninck (dressed as the German NCO), proceeded past several sentries and using a forged pass, left the castle unaccosted.

[18] Outside the camp the party changed into civilian clothes and separated, Fowler travelling with van Doornick.

En route they were stopped by an SS policeman, but their forged papers were sufficient to pass inspection.