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Australian 'Great Escape' survivor dies, aged 101 Australian 'Great Escape' survivor dies, aged 101
(about 17 hours later)
One of the last survivors of World War Two's most famous prison break, known as the Great Escape, has died aged 101.One of the last survivors of World War Two's most famous prison break, known as the Great Escape, has died aged 101.
Australian Paul Royle was one of 76 airmen who escaped from notorious Nazi Stalag Luft III camp in Nazi-occupied Poland in 1944. Australian Paul Royle was one of 76 airmen who escaped from notorious Nazi Stalag Luft III camp in Nazi Germany in 1944.
Their courageous feat was immortalised in the 1963 film The Great Escape, starring Steve McQueen.Their courageous feat was immortalised in the 1963 film The Great Escape, starring Steve McQueen.
Mr Royle died in a Perth hospital on Sunday after surgery for a fractured hip, local media reported on Friday.Mr Royle died in a Perth hospital on Sunday after surgery for a fractured hip, local media reported on Friday.
His son, Gordon Royle, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp his father lived his life to the fullest, but it was a fall that killed him.His son, Gordon Royle, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp his father lived his life to the fullest, but it was a fall that killed him.
A memorial service will be held for Mr Royle in Perth on Wednesday.A memorial service will be held for Mr Royle in Perth on Wednesday.
Seventy-one years ago, the men escaped through a secret tunnel built from the Nazi camp. Seventy-one years ago, the men escaped from the Nazi camp through a secret tunnel.
The Great EscapeThe Great Escape
Interviewed last year about his wartime experiences, Mr Royle said he had vivid memories of escaping into a snow-covered pine forest.Interviewed last year about his wartime experiences, Mr Royle said he had vivid memories of escaping into a snow-covered pine forest.
"It was very pleasant and all we saw was great heaps of snow and pine trees. There was snow everywhere, it was cold," he said."It was very pleasant and all we saw was great heaps of snow and pine trees. There was snow everywhere, it was cold," he said.
With another escapee, he walked through the night and hid in bushes but they were soon recaptured by the Nazis.With another escapee, he walked through the night and hid in bushes but they were soon recaptured by the Nazis.
Only three of the men who escaped reached safety. Of the 73 recaptured, 50 were shot.Only three of the men who escaped reached safety. Of the 73 recaptured, 50 were shot.
Correction: An earlier version of this story said the Stalag Luft III camp was in Nazi-occupied Poland. It was in fact part of Germany until the end of the war, and only became part of Poland afterwards.