A Stalag VIII (Stalag Luft III Sub-Camp) German P.O.W. Camp Bank Note

Measuring 127x80mm, near mint condition. The bank note represents one Mark in the official currency of the P.O.W. camp in Sagan (Sileasia, modern day Żagań, southwest Poland). The reverse states that the amount can be paid in actual money upon release from the camp, or converted into the currency of a different camp upon transferral.

Footnote: The camp in Sagan actually consisted of a system of camps, the biggest being the Stalag VIII C. Throughout the war approx. 300,000 prisoners were held here, of which ca. 120,000 died. The Stalag Luft III sub-camp for officers was used to hold Allied pilots. In April of 1944 there was an escape attempt involving 600 prisoners. 76 men escaped, of which 73 were recaptured. 50 men were then executed. The 1963 movie “The Great Escape” is based on these events.