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Story
March 7, 1919
The Monroe Journal
Monroe, Union County, North Carolina
What is this article about?
Lieutenant George Puryear of Memphis, Tenn., along with Lieutenants Harold Willis of Boston and Isaacs of Portsmouth, Va., escape from Villingen German prison camp on October 6 via tunnel and swim the Rhine to Holland. They credit YMCA books and sports for maintaining their physical condition.
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SOUTHERN AVIATOR
DIGS FROM PRISON
AND SWIMS RHINE
Calls "Y" Work In
German
Prison
Camp "Life Saver," While Con-
fined At Villingen.
New York, Feb. ...-Lieutenant George Puryear, of Memphis, Tenn., an aviator, was one of a trio of hardy American adventurers who were successful in a wild dash for liberty from the Villingen prison camp on October 6. Sixteen men made the attempt, but only Puryear, Lieutenant Harold Willis of Boston, and Naval Lieutenant Isaacs of Portsmouth, Va., got away. Word has just been received at Y. M. C. A. headquarters here concerning their almost hopeless escapade.
The men brought back remarkable accounts of Y. M. C. A. work even at Villingen.
"The 'Y' sent us books of all kinds and even sporting goods," said Lieut. Puryear. "We played basketball and volley ball incessantly - our space was too small for baseball and football. I tell you, those games were life savers to us, and they kept us in fair physical condition."
It is reported that Puryear and his comrades slipped out of the camp through a tunnel under the wire. All but the three named were headed off before they reached the river Rhine, but the intrepid trio swam the river - a terrible feat in itself - and made their way into Holland.
DIGS FROM PRISON
AND SWIMS RHINE
Calls "Y" Work In
German
Prison
Camp "Life Saver," While Con-
fined At Villingen.
New York, Feb. ...-Lieutenant George Puryear, of Memphis, Tenn., an aviator, was one of a trio of hardy American adventurers who were successful in a wild dash for liberty from the Villingen prison camp on October 6. Sixteen men made the attempt, but only Puryear, Lieutenant Harold Willis of Boston, and Naval Lieutenant Isaacs of Portsmouth, Va., got away. Word has just been received at Y. M. C. A. headquarters here concerning their almost hopeless escapade.
The men brought back remarkable accounts of Y. M. C. A. work even at Villingen.
"The 'Y' sent us books of all kinds and even sporting goods," said Lieut. Puryear. "We played basketball and volley ball incessantly - our space was too small for baseball and football. I tell you, those games were life savers to us, and they kept us in fair physical condition."
It is reported that Puryear and his comrades slipped out of the camp through a tunnel under the wire. All but the three named were headed off before they reached the river Rhine, but the intrepid trio swam the river - a terrible feat in itself - and made their way into Holland.
What sub-type of article is it?
Adventure
Heroic Act
Survival
What themes does it cover?
Bravery Heroism
Survival
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Prison Escape
Wwi Aviator
Rhine Swim
Villingen Camp
Ymca Support
What entities or persons were involved?
Lieutenant George Puryear
Lieutenant Harold Willis
Naval Lieutenant Isaacs
Where did it happen?
Villingen Prison Camp, Rhine River, Holland
Story Details
Key Persons
Lieutenant George Puryear
Lieutenant Harold Willis
Naval Lieutenant Isaacs
Location
Villingen Prison Camp, Rhine River, Holland
Event Date
October 6
Story Details
Three American officers, including aviator Lieutenant George Puryear, escape Villingen prison camp via tunnel, evade capture, swim the Rhine, and reach Holland; they praise YMCA for providing books and sports that sustained them.