Ep 21. Escape From Nazi Alcatraz

Escape From Nazi Alcatraz is an episode from season 41 of NOVA, a documentary series that explores scientific and technological advancements and their impact on our world.

This episode delves into a fascinating and little-known chapter of World War II history: the Nazi plan to build a state-of-the-art submarine base in the French port of Lorient. The documentary focuses on the heroic efforts of a group of French and American prisoners of war who attempted to escape from the heavily guarded prison camp at Lorient, which became known as "Nazi Alcatraz."

The documentary opens with archival footage of the bustling port of Lorient in the 1930s, when the city was a major hub of transatlantic shipping. But as war broke out in Europe, Lorient came under German occupation, and the Nazis realized the strategic importance of the port for their war effort. They began building a massive submarine base in the harbor, using forced labor from prisoners of war.

The documentary then introduces us to some of the prisoners who were held at the Lorient camp, including French sailors and American airmen who had been shot down over Europe. Through interviews with surviving prisoners, as well as archival documents and photographs, we learn about the brutal conditions at the camp, where the prisoners were subjected to forced labor, beatings, and starvation.

Despite the dire circumstances, a group of prisoners managed to band together and hatch an audacious plan to escape from the camp. Using smuggled tools and materials, they secretly dug a tunnel under the prison walls, hoping to make their way to the nearby coast and stow away on a boat to freedom.

The documentary follows the prisoners' harrowing journey through the tunnel, which was cramped, damp, and infested with rats. We also hear from historians and experts who provide context on the larger strategic goals of the Nazi submarine campaign, as well as the challenges faced by Allied intelligence in deciphering German communications and tracking their U-boat movements.

As the prisoners emerge from the tunnel into the surrounding countryside, they face a new set of challenges, including navigating through enemy territory and finding allies who can help them evade capture. With dramatic reenactments and interviews with surviving escapees, the documentary brings to life the gripping human drama of the escape attempt, which ultimately became one of the most successful prisoner-of-war breakouts of the war.

Escape From Nazi Alcatraz is a gripping and inspiring documentary that sheds light on a little-known chapter of World War II history. Through its vivid storytelling and use of archival footage and interviews with surviving prisoners, the episode offers a window into the heroism and resilience of ordinary people caught up in the horrors of war. At the same time, it provides important historical context on the strategic importance of submarine warfare and Nazi occupation in Europe during this critical period in world history.