The second Great Escape Devon Run - 28th June 2025
Open to all pre 1975 classic cars/motorcycles (and interesting newer cars and bikes, at the discretion of the organisers, numbers permitting)
This event is designed to be a fun day out in the beautiful scenery of Devon in Southwest England and enjoying the fabulous views on Dartmoor which we will drive across in the morning section. The route is easy to follow and a route map will be supplied to each entrant.
Apart from the chance for owners of classic and vintage cars to enjoy a day out with them, the aim of the run is to raise awareness and funding for the Stalag Luft III Museum at Zagan, Poland, the site of the Great Escape, an area previously called Silesia and within the wartime territory of Germany.
In 1943, the POWs of Stalag Luft III began preparing for one of the largest escapes of World War II. It involved digging three tunnels named ‘Tom’ ‘Dick’ and ‘Harry’ and more than six hundred POWs took part in preparing the operation. ‘Harry’ was the longest of the tunnels. Dug at a depth of nine metres, it was around one hundred and ten metres long. The plan was for two hundred airmen to make their escape. Finally, on the night of 24th March 1944, 76 RAF officers broke free of the camp. It was one of the largest breakouts of POWs to occur during the war and is known the world over as the ‘Great Escape’. In 1961, a monument was raised on the site of the former Stalag VIIIC (sculptor – Mieczyslaw Welter) to honour the 50 Great Escapers who were murdered on the direct orders of Hitler following their recapture. The exact site of the tunnel Harry used by the escapers is now maintained by the Museum and marked by a plaque with the names of all the 76 who made it out.
In 1971, the Museum of Allied Prisoners of War Martyrdom was opened (renamed POW Camps Museum in 2009). The museum serves as the only memorial to the Great Escape and its collection contains a multitude of exhibits connected with the stalags of Żagań. It also serves as a meeting place for the former POWs and their descendants from all over the world and a centre of research for historians and academics. It is dependent on donations for its funding.
The day’s activities and rough timings
09:30 – Meet @ The Tarka Line Bistro, Eggesford Station Yard, EX18 7ER, adjacent to A377 and Eggesford railway station.
09:30 – 10:30 complimentary breakfast for participants at The Tarka Line Bistro
10:30 – 12:30 1st section of the route –approximately 60 miles
12:30 – 13:00 arrival at The Black River Inn, Black Torrington
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 – 16:00 2nd section of the route -approximately 40 miles
16:00- onwards arriving at The Tarka Bistro for tea, snacks and alcohol (for those not driving!)
The route will be on a separate sheet and provided on the day.
We look forward to having a great day out!
Entries to be sent f.a.o. David Churchill email: dschurchill@msn.com
Entry cost: £25 per car with up to two occupants and includes complimentary breakfast bun, coffee/tea. Lunch will be available at the Black River Inn with a set menu at subsidised price, tea and snacks, bistro menu will be available at the Tarka Line Bistro at the finish.
Please download and complete the entry form: 2025_entry_form_Devon Classic Run.docx
Payment to
Bank: Lloyds Bank
Sort code: 30-80-37
Account #: 41726763
Payment Reference: GE Rally 2025
