A SON of a leading organiser of The Great Escape has hailed RAF reservists for honouring the memory of Allied prisoners of war by retracing their footsteps over a notorious Nazi death march.

Tim Zillessen, whose father Marcel escaped from the Nazis during The Long March across Poland and Germany in 1945, said the 71st anniversary tribute by RAF Leeming-based personnel was a "wonderful memorial" to his father and his 10,000 comrades, many of whom died on the march.

Personnel from 607 County of Durham and 609 West Riding squadrons of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force walked the 60-mile route as part of Force Development - Exercise Long March, beginning at the infamous prisoner of war camp, Stalag Luft III.

This was the scene of The Great Escape, where 76 airmen escaped in 1944. At least two members of the escape committee were pilots from 607 Squadron, while Mr Zillessen's key role gaining materials from guards was played in the movie by James Garner.

The RAF Leeming team stayed overnight in Hut 104, a replica of where The Great Escape tunnel entrance was located and were joined by Air Commodore Charles Clarke at the various points during the three-day walk, who endured the Long March alongside Mr Zillessen in January 1945.

His son, Tim, who works for the Army at Catterick Garrison, said it was important the courage of the prisoners of war, who were forced to march on a poor diet through chest-high snow, temperatures of -25 in poor clothing, was remembered.

He said his father, who had been left stranded at the escape tunnel entrance when the Germans discovered it, finally escaped during the march after being fired on by a British Spitfire and returned to Stalag Luft III to free an Australian friend who was hiding under the floorboards.

Mr Zillessen later worked in the wool trade in Darlington, before running a chain of take-away shops in the North- East and running a guest house in Robin Hood's Bay.

Senior aircraftman Emma Walker said: “It was an absolute honour to take part in the Long March and to have one of the veterans with us was something that I cannot put into words and will never forget.

"He told stories of the Germans saying “escaping is no longer a sport” after the numerous escape attempts, but stated “the digging went on” with regards to the great escape."

Sqn Ldr Alfie Hall added: “To walk in their footsteps, especially with a veteran who was actually there, was very humbling."