Chapter I: Preface

Almost exactly two years ago, as I write these lines, the famous Holzminden Tunnel became history. Even then, when the sordid camp was still lending (and seemed likely to lend _in perpetuum_) its grey colour to every aspect of life, when sense of proportion was practically dormant and racial animosity intensified to the highest pitch, it was impossible to overlook the peculiar dramatic proprieties of the event. Some day, it was felt, this story might be fittingly told.

And in the retrospect the feeling remains unaltered. The harsh angles have softened: the tumult and the shouting have died away to the remoter cells of memory: Captain Niemeyer (of the Reserve) has departed—God knows where! His imperial master is dragging out an unhappy old age in exile. The British protagonists and walkers-on in the 9-months struggle have scattered to the ends of the Empire on their lawful occasions. Once in a blue moon perhaps they think of it and rub their eyes. The details are already vague. The whole of their prison existence seems absurdly far away.

But it is in the hope that they will care to follow with not uncritical interest the following plain unvarnished account of the Tunnel episode that I, a mere looker-on, have sorted out the threads and fitted the jumble together. If any think this an impertinence, may I plead that an ordinary stage hand may see more of the workings of a nine months run than the star performers? To them at any rate, protagonists, walkers- and lookers-on in the event, and their friends and relations I would address myself particularly. Through them alone can I hope to interest the British public in this simple tale of a strategically unimportant but highly successful side-show, in Germany, in the dog days of 1918.

I am indebted to one friend in particular for assistance in the true description of the actual Tunnel. He prefers to remain anonymous. Many others of my ex-fellow-prisoners have helped me in various ways. The design which is reproduced on the cover was drawn by Lieutenant Lockhead while in captivity at Stralsund and was intended to serve as a Christmas card; I am indebted to him for the loan of the block. To Messrs Blackwood I am obliged for permission to reprint the personal experiences contained in the final chapter.

H. G. DURNFORD.

KING’S COLLEGE,
CAMBRIDGE.
_24th July 1920._

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CONTENTS

CHAP. PAGE
PROLOGUE 1
I. A CAMP IN BEING 14
II. NIEMEYER—AND PINPRICKS 32
III. INTRODUCING THE MAIN MOTIF 49
IV. ESCAPES 60
V. ACCOMPLICES 71
VI. IN THE TUNNEL 89
VII. REPRISALS 101
VIII. THE LAST LAP 118
IX. THE ESCAPE AND THE SEQUEL 131
X. CLOSING INCIDENTS 148
XI. MAKING GOOD 164

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ILLUSTRATIONS AND PLANS

The track of the Holzminden Tunnel after being dug up _Frontispiece_

A street in Ypres ⎫
The Cloth Hall in 1917 ⎬ _to face p._ 2
The Menin Gate of Ypres⎭

The Battery in action N. of the Menin Road⎫
The Menin Road ⎬ ” 5
At the waggon-lines ⎭

View from Kaserne B, showing skating rink made in January
1918 _to face p._ 30

Karl Niemeyer ” 36

General plan of Holzminden Camp _p._ 53

Kaserne B _to face p._ 54

Scene of the Walter-Medlicott attempt⎫
A dining-room at Holzminden ⎭ ” 61

Section and ground-plan of staircase, chamber, and tunnel
entrance _p._ 73

Course of the tunnel ” 93

At the tunnel mouth _to face p._ 100

Section of attic roof _p._ 112

Orderlies digging out the tunnel between Kaserne B and the
outer wall _to face p._ 142

Group of recaptured officers in a room at Holzminden ” 162

Facsimile of the original permit-card copied by Lockhead
_to face p._ 169

Facsimile of the forged railway passport _between pp._ 174-5

Map of N.W. Germany and frontiers _p._ 189

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