The 80th anniversary of the Raid at Ožbalt: WWII’s top POW escape

·

August 31, 1944, Slovene Partisans executed the Raid at Ožbalt, freeing 105 Allied prisoners of war. This daring rescue mission was the most successful prisoner-of-war escape of the twentieth century. It is a testament to courage and strategic brilliance in the face of overwhelming odds.

The raid occurred near the village of Ožbalt, about 25 kilometres west of Maribor, Slovenia’s second-largest city. Railway projects relied on forced labour from Camp 1046/GW’s prisoners of war, so the raid focused on this group of captives. Ralph Churches, an Australian private and camp leader, planned and led the operation. His British deputy, Leslie Laws, provided crucial support. These two men spearheaded the daring mission, and their roles intertwined.

Churches, an Australian Army infantry soldier with the ANZAC HQ, participated in the Greek Campaign during World War II. From April to May 1941, Churches was involved in the Allied withdrawal from Greece, a crucial and challenging campaign phase.

Fierce fighting engulfed Churches as he dashed between units, relaying critical messages. Outnumbered and besieged, Australian troops engaged in a desperate rear-guard action. They then withdrew to save their forces.

German forces captured Churches as he attempted to row to Crete with three others. He endured harsh conditions in POW camps in Greece before transferring to Stalag XVIII-D in Maribor, Slovenia.

After three and a half years of captivity, Churches and Laws, with Slovenian Partisans, executed their plan. They first freed 78 POWs, then another 25, including soldiers from Britain, France, New Zealand, and Australia.

Completing the escape was challenging. The group travelled 250 kilometres through occupied territory, dodging German patrols. They arrived in Semič, Slovenia, before boarding a flight to Bari, Italy, on September 21, 1944. Churches received the British Empire Medal and Laws the Distinguished Conduct Medal for their bravery.

The Raid at Ožbalt highlights Partisan courage, POW resilience, and the planners’ strategic skill. It’s a great example of wartime resistance, far more successful than the famous but tragic “Great Escape” from Stalag Luft III.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From crisis to compassion: Timos Roussos and his family’s mercy mission in war-torn Cyprus

When Turkish troops landed on Cyprus on 20 July 1974, six-year-old Timos Roussos was sitting on the floor of his family’s home in Lemesos.

A granddaughter returns: Georgia Georgiou retraces her yiayia’s occupied village in Cyprus

When Georgia Georgiou handed over her Cypriot ID at the border checkpoint to cross into occupied northern Cyprus, she felt an ache.

‘You never get over it’: A childhood shattered by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

On a warm July morning in 1974, 10-year-old Anastasia Di Loreto (née Karatzia) was jolted awake by the sound of bombs falling on Kyrenia.

Cyprus: The paradox of tolerance and impunity for Turkey

The lack of a unified, systematic and practical strategy on the part of Greece has led the Cyprus crisis into national disarray.

Lost homes and lingering hope: Greek-Cypriots reflect on Turkish invasion and its aftermath

From hidden stories to haunting memories, two Greek-Cypriot men share what it means to carry the burden of Cyprus’ past.

You May Also Like

Secretary General for Greeks Abroad applauds The Greek Herald on mention in NSW Parliament

The Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, John Chrysoulakis, has sent a letter of congratulations to The Greek Herald.

Greek Australians are ‘cornerstones of Victoria’: Evan Mulholland’s multicultural vision

Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs in Victoria, Evan Mulholland, has an appreciation for the state’s diverse communities.

The Zavros family are stranded in SA’s Simpson Desert due to heavy rain

Orios Zavros, his wife and two children found themselves stranded in South Australia’s Simpson Desert a few days ago.