Length of escape rope, 1944 (c)

This length of rope is made from blankets and is thought to have been intended for use in the escape of Allied prisoners of war from Oflag IV-C, better known as Colditz Castle in Saxony, Germany. It was found during reconstruction work at the castle, alongside several rolled up escape maps, above a door frame in November 1978. The rope was presented to the commander of the British Commanders'-in-Chief Mission to the Soviet Forces in Germany (BRIXMIS) on 6 December 1978 by Dr Teichman, the Director of Colditz Hospital.