Soldier “escaped 200 times for love” in World War II
In the midst of the chaos and despair of World War II, a remarkable love story unfolded, one that would transcend the boundaries of war and captivity. This is the true tale of Horace Greasley, a British soldier who became a prisoner of war and defied the odds to be with the woman he loved.
Horace Greasley was a young soldier fighting for the Allied forces against the Nazi regime. On May 25, 1940, during a fierce ambush, he was captured and taken as a prisoner of war. The conditions in the camps were brutal, and the suffering was immense. After enduring the harsh realities of life in a prisoner camp, Greasley was eventually transferred to a prison in Silesia, Poland, where he was forced to work in the coal and marble mines for the German army. Although the living conditions were slightly better—each cell had a toilet and running water, and food was more plentiful—the labor was grueling.
Amidst the despair of war, a beautiful love story began to blossom. Greasley, who was appointed as the leader of the group of prisoners working in the marble quarry, often attended meetings with high-ranking German officers. It was during one of these meetings that he met Rosa Rauchbach, a translator for the German army and the daughter of Herr Rauchbach, the prison warden. From the moment their eyes met, an undeniable connection sparked between them. Greasley’s rugged charm and confident demeanor captivated Rosa, and she found herself drawn to him, often sneaking away to the quarry just to catch a glimpse of her beloved.
However, their happiness was short-lived. Shortly after their initial meetings, Greasley was transferred to a different camp along with other prisoners. Heartbroken but determined, Rosa resolved to follow him wherever he might go. Meanwhile, Greasley, consumed by longing for Rosa, found it increasingly difficult to cope with the separation. One day, while getting a haircut, a guard secretly handed him a letter from Rosa. The letter revealed that she was still waiting for him, and it reignited his hope and determination to escape.
With the help of a fellow prisoner, Greasley dug a tunnel beneath the barbed wire fence of the camp and made his daring escape. Under the cover of night, as the other prisoners slept and the guards grew lax, he slipped away from his cell to meet Rosa. For the first time in over a year, he tasted the sweetness of freedom. However, instead of fleeing to safety, Greasley made the courageous decision to return to the camp after their brief reunion, fearing that his escape would endanger his fellow prisoners.
For the next two years, Greasley risked his life, escaping the camp every three weeks to meet Rosa in a small abandoned house nearby. Each time he returned, he brought food that Rosa had prepared for his fellow prisoners, who were suffering from starvation. In total, Greasley escaped over 200 times, defying the strict surveillance of the German guards.
One of the most remarkable moments of Greasley’s story occurred when he boldly confronted Heinrich Himmler, one of the most powerful figures in the Nazi regime. During a visit to the Freiwaldau camp, Himmler encountered Greasley, who confidently approached him and demanded better food supplies for the Allied prisoners. This audacious confrontation was captured by a German war correspondent, and the photograph became an iconic symbol of resistance and bravery during the war.
As the war drew to a close in 1945, American forces liberated the prison, and Greasley was finally free to return to England. Rosa, meanwhile, had joined the American troops as a translator, and the two initially kept in touch. However, communication soon ceased, leaving Greasley in a state of confusion and heartache.
It was not long before he received a letter from a friend in Germany, revealing the tragic news that Rosa had died during childbirth. The revelation shattered Greasley’s heart, and he was left to grapple with the pain of believing he had been betrayed. It was only later that he learned the child Rosa had given birth to was his own. The realization of his lost child deepened his despair, and he found himself consumed by grief.
In an effort to escape the pain, Greasley threw himself into his work, opening a barbershop in his hometown and later starting a transportation company. In 1970, he found love again and married Brenda. The couple moved to Spain in 1988 to enjoy their retirement years together.
Horace Greasley passed away in February 2010 at the age of 91. His poignant love story, filled with bravery, sacrifice, and heartache, was immortalized in a book titled “Does the Bird Sing in Hell?” written by Ken Scott. Greasley’s tale serves as a testament to the enduring power of love, even in the darkest of times, and reminds us that true love knows no boundaries, not even those imposed by war.
In the end, Horace Greasley’s life was a remarkable journey of love and resilience, a story that continues to inspire generations, reminding us of the strength of the human spirit and the profound connections that can flourish even in the most challenging circumstances.
