Showmasters Admin showmasters Posted June 3, 2014 Showmasters Admin Share Posted June 3, 2014 (edited) It wouldn't be an Autographica without some old friends and here is one of them.George Johnny Johnson took part in the famous dams raid in may 1943. He was a bomb aimer and dropped his bouncing bomb on the Sorpe dam.George Johnny Johnson will be:Attending Saturday and Sunday Autograph Price: £15 Photoshoot Price: £10 He will also be taking part in the Autographica Dinner as well. Last time Johnny attended our dinner he received the longest standing ovation in Autographica history. Don't miss out on the chance to meet one of our most popular guests. Edited June 3, 2014 by mojoe 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aldrin Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Fantastic!!! Is he now the last dambuster who took part in the raid? I heard there's a couple of others still alive but they had to turn back before they could get to the dams? Thanks showmasters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leacroft Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 a wonderful announcement for a great man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippy1701 Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 I was his GA last time. It was an honour and pleasure to meet him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leacroft Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 His new book is a great read. Looking forward to Mr Johnson signing my copy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gmorris2504 Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Woo! Will try to attend! Great guest showmasters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bumper8 Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 A very nice man- he must've enjoyed the experience last year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 Are there any great escapers still alive too?. Let's have the best line-up of famous war veterans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Fooku Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 I might be wrong but I think 'Jimmy' James was either one of the last, if not the last, surviving person to actually escape from the camp but he passed away a couple of years back. He attended an Autographica a few years back and was a fascinating man to meet. His book Moonless Night is well worth a read. I believe there are still others still alive who were held in Stalag Luft 3 who may not actually have escaped but did help with activities to help with the escape. Linking it back to this announcement, it brings home that this generation won't be around forever so its great we still get the chance to meet these people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenGreen Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 There are definitely people still alive who were in the camp, not that long ago one was being interviewed on the radio. I'm not sure if any escapees are still with us but there were plans for many more to escape and many others were involved in the operation but didn't escape. I remember "Jimmy" James, was that at the event in Coventry ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Fooku Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 I think he did a couple, the one I saw him at was Heathrow in 2007 which was the first Autographica I had been to for a few years but I'm fairly sure he did some before. Just for the sake of clarity when I said I thought he was the last surviving escaper, I meant it in the context of the last 'Great Escaper' I don't know how many attempted escapes from the camp after that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheppy dreamer Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 Wonderful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanoigrillo Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 Always a gent. I remember sitting with him for a full day - story upon story. Will be great to see him again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 (edited) According to the Telegraph in March of this year, the following are still alive: Alex Cassie - Document forger Ken Rees - Was in the tunnel, and went back Sydney Dowse - Escaped (edit : died 2008?) Dick Churchill - Escaped Paul Royle - Escaped? There must be others who played a part in the escape in some way. Escaping from Coldtiz is another: Francis Flynn (edit: died Feb 2014) Tommy Catlow Corran Purdown Edited June 4, 2014 by farmer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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