The One That Got Away (1958) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Von Werra made the wager with his RAF interrogator at the London Cage as a bold display of confidence and defiance. He offered a magnum of champagne for just ten cigarettes, believing strongly in the German spirit and what he called the 'unyielding will to victory.' This wasn't mere bravado, he genuinely believed he could outsmart his captors, and the wager reflected his unwavering determination to regain his freedom despite being a prisoner during the Battle of Britain.

Foreshadowing: His flippant radio calls of 'calling RAF, calling RAF' while at Trent Park showed he was already planning his escape despite being under surveillance.

• von werra
• escape wager
• london cage
• german pilot
• prisoner of war

Von Werra's conversations at Trent Park House were secretly monitored by the RAF. Unknown to him and the other captured officers, their discussions were being eavesdropped on, which allowed the British to stay informed about his escape intentions. His careless remarks, including the playful 'calling RAF, calling RAF,' actually signaled his plans to the authorities, making his subsequent escape attempts easier to predict and counter.

Foreshadowing: This surveillance explains why the RAF was always one step behind but never quite catching him, until they needed to.

• trent park house
• surveillance
• 监听
• prisoner conversations
• british intelligence

After being transported to Canada with other prisoners, von Werra escaped during a train transit near Smiths Falls, Ontario by leaping from a moving railroad car. He then navigated to the St. Lawrence River, where he commandeered a small boat and pushed it across icy waters, letting it float downstream into the United States. The crossing was nearly fatal as winter conditions threatened to freeze him solid, but he survived and continued his journey.

Foreshadowing: The earlier escape attempts had honed his survival skills and resourcefulness, which proved essential during this dangerous crossing.

• smiths falls
• st lawrence river
• escape canada
• prisoner transfer
• train escape

The wager between von Werra and his RAF interrogator, offering a magnum of champagne for ten cigarettes if he escaped within six months, was never formally confirmed as fulfilled. However, an unusual postcard featuring the Statue of Liberty was later sent from Oberleutnant Franz von Werra to the UK, containing a mysterious message that hinted at his triumph. The postcard arrived amid the chaos of war, suggesting he had indeed succeeded in his bold claim despite never receiving his prize.

Foreshadowing: The wager established early on that von Werra viewed his captivity as a game to be won, setting the tone for his relentless escape attempts.

• wager
• champagne
• cigarettes
• postcard statue of liberty
• escape challenge

Von Werra attempted to hijack a Hawker Hurricane at an airfield as part of his continued desperate attempts to escape British custody. After being recaptured multiple times, he saw stealing an aircraft as his best chance to fly to freedom. The plan was bold but failed, leading to his recapture. This moment demonstrates his unwavering determination, even when faced with seemingly impossible odds, he continued to attempt audacious solutions rather than accept captivity.

Foreshadowing: His earlier survival of being shot down over Kent showed he wasn't afraid of flying in dangerous conditions.

• hawker hurricane
• hijack aircraft
• airfield escape
• fighter plane

After reaching the United States, von Werra didn't stay long. Canadian authorities had been cooperating with American counterparts to hunt him down, so he crossed into Mexico and then traveled through Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, and Spain. This months-long journey across South America and finally to Spain allowed him to evade capture and eventually return to Berlin on April 18, 1941, nearly a year after his original capture.

Foreshadowing: His ability to blend in and manipulate situations, as shown when he posed as a Dutch pilot, served him well during this long journey.

• south america
• mexico
• berlin escape route
• hunted fugitive
• international chase

Von Werra's goal throughout his escapes was not merely freedom for its own sake, but specifically to return to Germany and continue fighting. His declaration at interrogation that the German spirit was unbreakable and his 'unyielding will to victory' weren't empty words, he was a dedicated German officer who viewed escaping captivity as his duty. Returning to Berlin represented completing his mission, which is why he undertook the arduous journey across continents rather than simply remaining in safety.

Foreshadowing: His confident wager and defiant attitude from the very beginning indicated he viewed escape as returning to the fight, not as desertion.

• return to germany
• continue fighting
• german officer
• duty
• war effort

At Codnor Park railway station, von Werra posed as a Dutch pilot and spun a convincing fabricated tale about a crashed Wellington bomber on a secret mission. His boldness and confident demeanor convinced the Station Master, who notified the police. This impersonation demonstrated von Werra's quick thinking and ability to adapt under pressure, skills that would serve him throughout his escapes. The Station Master believed his story entirely, showing how von Werra could manipulate situations to his advantage.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, his flippant remarks and ability to talk his way into wagers showed he was comfortable with deception.

• impersonate dutch pilot
• codnor park
• railway station
• deception
• quick thinking

After von Werra successfully reached Berlin on April 18, 1941, his story took a tragic turn. Rather than staying safely behind lines, he returned to active duty as a pilot. On October 25, 1941, less than a year after his dramatic escape, his aircraft crashed into the sea during a patrol mission. Despite extensive search efforts, the elusive Oberleutnant remained untraceable, bringing his remarkable escape saga to a fatal end.

Foreshadowing: His earlier survival of being shot down showed he was willing to continue flying despite the dangers.

• death
• patrol mission
• crash at sea
• october 1941
• return to duty

Von Werra's determination stemmed from his unwavering belief in the German cause and his personal sense of duty. From the moment of his capture, he proclaimed the German spirit was unbreakable and displayed what he called the 'unyielding will to victory.' He viewed each escape attempt not as reckless behavior but as fulfilling his obligation as a German officer. Even after multiple recaptures, from Grizedale Hall to the airfield hijack attempt, he never lost his resolve or considered surrendering to his captors.

Foreshadowing: His bold wager at the London Cage established from the start that he would never accept captivity quietly.

• determination
• german spirit
• officer duty
• never surrender
• relentless

Von Werra was recaptured at least three times during his remarkable escape journey. He was first captured after his aircraft was shot down over Kent in September 1940. He then attempted escape from Grizedale Hall in Lancashire but was recaptured. Later, after the tunnel escape from Swanwick and his impersonation at Codnor Park railway station, he was apprehended again while attempting to hijack a Hawker Hurricane at an airfield. Despite these setbacks, he persistently continued his escape attempts until finally reaching freedom.

Foreshadowing: Each recapture only seemed to strengthen his resolve, showing his remarkable resilience.

• recaptured
• multiple escapes
• prisoner
• persistence
• captivity