No.218 SQUADRONS HOME RUN

The Escape of Flight Lieutenant Wardle R.A.F From Colditz Castle

Twenty four year old Flight Lieutenant Wardle, R.A.F of Ontario, Canada had the distinguishion of not only becoming the squadron's first operational loss in WW.II but also becoming one of the very few Prisoners of War to escape from the infamous Colditz Castle.

Howard Douglas Wardle was a pre-war regular who had joined the R.A.F in December 1938. On completion of his pilot training, the then Pilot Officer joined No.218 Squadron based at Auberives-sur-Suippes, France on November 29th 1939.

Within a matter of days of joining the squadron Wardle and his new crew, Sergeant Davidson, Observer and Aircraftsman Bailey, Airgunner, carried-out their first flight together. A short 55-minute local formation practice flight was flown in Fairey Battle K9326.

Figure 1 A pre-war Fairey Battle Mk.I of No.218 Squadron.

For the next few weeks, Pilot Officer Wardle carried-out the customary training flights, with each week that passed his skill and eagerness to operate grew. On Wednesday 10th January 1940, Pilot Officer Wardle operated in anger for the first time. Orders were received to attack a strong column of German Mechanised Infantry moving S.E towards Dampierre. Six Fairey Battles were briefed to attack, this force was divided in two flights, Wardle was flying as number 2 to the flight leader, Flying Officer Richmond. Richmond flying in Battle K9324 was first to take-off. Operating in Battle, K9251, Pilot Officer Wardle took off at 0940hrs from a frost covered Auberive. The flight successfully located the German column, meeting a considerable amount of light anti-aircraft and small arms fire each section successfully bombed, and returned safely to base. A similar operation was again flown on the January 12th again Pilot Officer Wardle and his crew safely returned to Auberive.

By the time of Pilot Officer Wardle's loss he was an experienced and battle hardened pilot. Four crews were briefed for the operation of Saturday April 20th , their orders were to fly a reconnaissance flight over the Rhine and then to 'Nickel' drop over the towns of Darmstadt and Mainz. Taking off in Fairey Battle Mk.I P2201 at 2055hrs, Pilot Officer Wardle, Sergeant Dickinson and Aircraftsman Bailey set off into the night skies above France.

Figure 2

France, winter of 1939/40. Groundcrew clear off the ice and snow from the cockpit of Fairey Battle Mk.I K.9324 HA-B. It was this aircraft, captained by Flying Officer Richmond that Pilot Officer Wardle accompanied as No.2 on Wardle's first operation.

The circumstances surround the loss of Pilot Officer Wardle is a mystery. On his return to England in 1944 Wardle reported that his engine suddenly burst into flames, the subsequent fire forced him to order the crew to bailout over Crailsheim, Germany. Sadly, Sergeant Edward Davidson, Observer, and Aircraftman 1st Class Albert Bailey were killed, both these airman are now buried in the Durnbach War Cemetery. The circumstances' surrounding their deaths has never been established. The two returning crews reported much Searchlight activity but no Ack-Ack on route or over Germany,

A private source suggests that P/O Wardle was shot down by Feldwebel Schmale IV./(N) JG2 at 00.45hrs, if this is the case it was one of the first German Nightfighter victories of WW.II.

Whatever the circumstance surrounding the loss of Pilot Officer Wardle he was not going to return. On landing by parachute Wardle was picked up almost immediately by a German soldier on a bicycle. He was quickly transferred to a car and driven at speed to a large Luftwaffe base in Crailsheim; here a Lufwaffe officer interrogated him.

After receiving medical attention P/O Wardle was transferred to Oflag IXA (SPANGENBERG). While a prisoner in Spangenberg Wardle successfully escaped via the camps gymnasium, he was on the run 24 hours before being recaptured by a German patrol.

Due to this attempted escape Pilot Officer Wardle was sent to Oflag IVC (COLDITZ) in November 1940. With the same type of determination he had shown on the squadron Wardle set about planning his escape.

Figure 3

Pilot Officer Wardle in the Officers Mess at Auberives early 1940

His first escape attempt was in the spring of 1941. Wardle was a part of a 13-man tunnelling team under the leadership of the now famous Pat Reid. This famous escape attempt was recently dramatized in the Channel 4 series entitled, ESCAPE FROM COLDITZ. Wardle's explanation of the failure of this failed tunnel attempt was due to poor liaison with the French prisoners. Within a matter of weeks Wardle attempted yet another escape, this time part of a four-man team, made up of two British and two Dutch. Once again a tunnel was deemed the best method of escape, sadly however, the Germans were successful in locating the tunnel before an escape could be made.

The originators of Wardle's escape were Major R.B Littledale (K.R.R.C) and Lieutenant Commander L.W Stephens (R.N.V.R). Major Littledale was captured on May 26th 1940 near Calais were he was serving as a Brigade Transport Officer for the 30th Infantry Brigade. Lieutenant Commander Stephens was the commander of H.M.M.L 192, which took part in the heroic attack on St.Nazaire Docks on March 28th 1942.

The idea was simple, daring and extremely dangerous. The escape involved slipping past a German sentry while his back was turned, the bright reflector lights used to locate attempting escapers would hopefully blind the sentry for the few seconds needed to gain access to the prisoners kitchen. From the kitchen access to the boiler house via the roof was required. All this was done in full view of the outer courtyard buildings. From the boiler house the escapers would then need to gain access to the locked carpenters store. Once inside it was hoped that an exit to the outer courtyard would be found. Once an exit was located a decent into the old moat was needed, this route would bring any escaper close to the Dog kennels and married quarters. From this position only a wall separated the escaper from freedom. The plan was put forward to the Escape Committee who gave it their approval.

It was decided that an experienced lock picker was needed, Captain Pat Reid, formerly of the R.A.S.C was chosen.

On October 14th 1942 at 2110hrs, Wardle & Reid began their escape attempt. Each man was carrying an attaché case, stuffed with bed sheets, civillain clothing and forged papers. On reaching the flat roof they dropped about 10ft to the ground below. After hiding in a door way for 2 hours they crossed the sentry's path while his back was turned. While on route to the carpenter's store, a German sentry passed within feet of Reid. On reaching the carpenters store it was discovered that it could not be unlocked. Entry was found via a flue, which ran at ground level from the carpenter's cellar to the outer courtyard buildings. On leaving the flue three 12 ft terraces had to be descended, this was done with the use of a sheet. The top terrace was within feet of the sleeping Germans, the bottom terrace was only 10 yards from the dog kennels. With great skill the two teams descended the first two terraces, suddenly an alerted Alsatian was roused and barked furiously, the teams double their efforts and dropped the remaining 12 ft, thankfully no sentry was alerted.

On arrival at the bottom of the terraces, Reid and Wardle proceeded along the road between the married quarters; at the end of the road was walled gate with barbed wire. With little trouble the team successfully scaled the wall and at a pre-arranged location both teams split up. The time was 0400hrs. Major Littledale and Lieutenant Commander Stephens set-off on their own pre arrange route, Wardle & Reid likewise set about putting as much distance between them and the Castle as possible before daybreak. At around 0700hrs on the morning of the 15th the pair laid-up in woods and slept. On the evening of the 16th they set off at 1900hrs west towards the Mulde River, this was successfully crossed with no opposition and once again the pair spent the day hiding in woods. On October 17th after a wash and shave Wardle & Reid set off on foot towards Penig, on reaching the town at 1730hrs they caught a train to Zwaickau, from where a connection was made for Munich, they arrived in Munich at 1900hrs. To help pass the time before their next train it was decided by Pat Reid to visit the local cinema, on completion of the film the pair headed back towards the station. From 2300hrs to 0300hrs the pair ideally sat around in the passengers waiting room, the train having been delayed by two hours by an air raid. Finally at 0300hrs the train left Munich heading towards Rottwell. The journey was going to be fraught with danger, from Rottwell to Schenellzug, and then on to Augsburg-Ulm,then yet another change for Tuttlingen, at any time they could be asked to produce their papers and travel permits. Thankfully at 1200hrs the exhausted pair finally laid up in woods near Tuttlingen to sleep.

October 18th 0700hrs, both Wardle and Reid once again set off on foot towards the Swiss frontier, walking only along secondary roads the pair passed the villages of Immendingen, Mohringen, Mauenheim, Stetten, Watterdingen and finally Welschingen. While walking through the woods near Welschingen they are surprised by a German Forestry worker, the usual predetermined story was given, satisfying the worker the pair quickly moved on. At 1300hrs the exhausted pair reached Binningen, they decide to push on while the going was good, Riedheim, Hilzingen were reached and passed until eventually due to exhaustion they finally decided to rest.

October 18th 1800hrs, Wardle and Reid decide to reconnoitre the frontier roads and sentry positions. Without warning a German Army patrol was encountered, both men couragesly continue walking, not bothering to stop for the pair's papers and travel documents the German patrol continues on. However within minutes the pair walk straight into a German Sentry post. Papers were this time demanded and both Wardle & Reid were asked to explain why they were in the area. A satisfactory explanation must have been forthcoming as both Reid and Wardle were ordered to continue on their way.

With the Swiss frontier so close it was agreed that a crossing must be made that night, so far their luck had held, it could not hold out much longer. After establishing their position the pair very carefully crossed a double railway line and the Singen-Gottmaddingen road, which was busy with military traffic. Reaching the security of a wood Wardle again decides to check their position, it was a wise decision for within yards a German sentry post was located, the frontier was now only 2000 yards. To reach the frontier an open field had to be crossed and yet another road, visibility was around 200 yards. With a determination that had seen them through many hardships over the preceding days the pair set off across the road, running in a crouching position across the field they quickly reached the Swiss frontier and crossed into Switzerland, the time was 1800hrs.

On entering Switzerland the jubilant pair headed towards Ramsen, it was not difficult to locate, the twinkling lights of houses and car's beckoned the pair like a beacon. At 2000hrs Wardle & Reid gave themselves up to the local police authorities. They had made it. Both Lieutenant Commander Stephens and Major Littledale also made it, they too reached Ramsen but on October 19th.

From Switzerland Pilot Officer Wardle was dispatched to Gibraltar on February 5th 1944, he was flown to the U.K on February 6th landing at Whitchurch.

No information is known by the author of Howard Douglas Wardle R.A.F service after his return to England.