Warbird Information Exchange

I have some opposing information on who Steve McQueen's character in the movie "The Great Escape" was based on.

I believe that it was Flight Lieutenant Jackson Barrett "Barry" Mahon. Born on February 5, 1921 in Bakersfield, California, Mahon earned a civilian pilot's license in 1938 at the age of 17. In early 1941 he enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) under service no. 108640. He joined in the United States and took his primary flight training there at one of the six RAF operated flying schools. He took his advanced training in England at 56 OTU and was awarded his Pilot Wings on September 27, 1941. He was commissioned as a Pilot Officer (P/O) on the day of his Wings Parade.

Early in 1942, he was posted to RAF 121 "Eagle Squadron" where he flew Spitfire Vb's. Between April 12 and August 19 he shot down 5 German Fighters, claimed 2 as probables and claimed 2 others as damaged.

"Barry" was shot down on August 19 in aerial combat over Dieppe while flying Spitfire Vb BM405 and became a Prisoner of War (POW). At Stalag Luft III, he was the "Cooler King" for his many escape attempts and insubordinate acts! He did not take part in the "Great Escape" as he was in the "slammer" when it happened. He had escaped previously and was recaptured after walking 400 miles across Czechoslovakia!

He was promoted to Flying Officer on September 27, 1942, to Flight Lieutenant on September 27, 1943 and was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on September 4, 1942.

He resigned his RAF Commission on November 26, 1945.

Mahon was hired as a Technical Advisor while the movie was being made and was the inspiration for Steve McQueen's character.

Cheers,
Tom Walsh.

Wow, Tom,
That is GOOD!

Now, name the actor who played the German guard who escorted Steve McQueen to the cooler every time...hint, he also shot the dude from the James Garner aircraft crash...he also squeeled "Englander" at the train station...he also was in EL CID...

Cheers,
David Aiken

I think we can find guys that were "the basis for the character" till the cows come home. All of the characters were cobbled together from the various stories of different escapers. According to the survivors, when the movie premiered they took great fun in picking out which bits of which character were taken from their own life. Over the years it turned into a "fishing story" that got better with each reunion. Sadly I think a lot of writers use the McQueen character to "sell" their pieces. As if these guys lives need spicing up!

While I've got the opportunity, I need to plug B.A. James book "Moonless Night" which is by far the best P.O.W bok I've read. It shames Paul Brickhill's book, which is great in it's own right. James, referred to in most books as "Jimmy" James (Though as I understand it he never performed as the guitarist for "Jimmy James and the Blue Flames". I hope someone gets that joke...) was shot down in October of 1939, and wasn't liberated until April of 1945. He participated in numerous escapes and escape plots, was one of the first 20 out in the great escape and was one of the handful (along with Wings Day and Sydney Dowse) that were not returned to Stalag Luft III.

If it's not there, put that book on your reading list now.

Last I'd heard, James was still alive, and participated in the "Nova" television special on the excavation of "Dick" the undiscovered Great Escape tunnel. (Though technically "George", the tunnel the Americans were working on, was never found either, but the camp was abandoned in the face of the advancing Red Army before it could be used.)

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Phil K.
Yankee Air Museum
Systems Admin / Ramp Crew / Professional Photo Ruiner

Aloha Tom, et al,
My intent was to tell about a late friend, not challenge any one. Sorry.

Mike Dario, of Rancho Cordova, California, was a Russian Linguist for the US Army and based in Germany. His language ability was such that he picked up German like a native. When his hitch was up, he stayed in Germany. He got a job with a building contractor to help with construction of the GREAT ESCAPE "POW Camp" set. A junior director saw his beard and wanted to cast him as an extra "Canadian"...and asked through an interpreter whether he spoke any English. On learning that Mike was an American, he hired Mike to be the German guard. Mike is the final person seen in the movie. When the movie company left, they went to Spain to film EL CID.

Mike became an language instructor at the University of California at Davis and a master modeler. He worked with Squadron/Signal authors on German aircraft history projects as well as modeling books. He was IPMS/USA Second Vice President in 1969. His study of Japanese aviation brought us together more...and just prior to his death, he gave me some eight to ten Japanese dictionaries. I miss his wit and wisdom.

Here is to his memory, Cheers,
David

great story!! today i learned the truth behind 1 of my favorite movies. as to mcqueen...... everybody remembers where they were december 7th 1941, prez jfk's shooting, 9/11 terrorist attacks etc...... i remember where i was when mcqueen's death was announced!!! does that let you know what i thought of steve mcqueen??? he was the definition of cool & a fabulous actor. my 2 personal favorites of his are the movies the sand pebbles & papillion.

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

I remember where I was when Joe DiMaggio's death was announced on the news! I was 6 and didnt know who he was untill 4 years later.

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The conquest of space is worth the risk of life. - Gus Grissom

dimaggio is famous for mr coffee machines

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

Don't remember the moment exactly; just remember feeling really cheated that there wouldn't be any more new Steve McQueen movies . He'd be about 76 now...

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

Aloha All,
While we are speaking about THE GREAT ESCAPE, I must mention the late Willard Thomas...a B-17 pilot who had to bail out on an early mission. He finally was sent to Stalag Luft III and was an early American POW in that camp...before the weight of POWs made the Germans separate the camp by Nationality. Willard was an understudy to a British POW who was the head "Thief". After Willard was moved to the US portion of the camp (before "Tom", "Dick" and "Harry"), he became head "Thief" there.

He held the "Head Postmaster" job for years, yet I was proud to call him a "Thief" at any and all opportunities causing some to squirm, expecting some sort of fist-fight! I was eager to 'apologize' to those who did not know Willard's history by briefly relating his background.

Here is to his memory, Cheers,
David Aiken