The Most Famous Escapes In History

Whether carried out by prisoners of war, imprisoned criminals, adventurers, or royalty, escapes have long captured our imagination. This collection of stories features some of the most famous escapes in history, highlighting the creativity, teamwork, psychology, and determination that went into each endeavour.

From the daring Great Escape in a German prison camp to Alfred George Hinds’ multiple escapes in England, Giacomo Casanova’s unconventional breakout in Venice, John Dillinger’s razor-and-washboard trick in Indiana, and Mary, Queen of Scots’ audacious plans in Scotland, these tales showcase the resilience of the human spirit.

The Great Escape Stories

1. The Great Escape – Germany

Stalag Luft III, deemed an inescapable Luftwaffe prison camp for Allied airmen, witnessed the historic Great Escape in 1944. Led by Roger Bushell, the Escape Committee, comprising skilled POWs, outsmarted German surveillance tactics.

Bushell’s ingenious plan involved digging three tunnels — Tom, Dick, and Harry — 30 feet underground to elude seismographs. Employing trolleys to discreetly remove dirt, POWs demonstrated remarkable teamwork and ingenuity.

On March 24, 1944, 76 POWs attempted a daring escape. Regrettably, only three succeeded; the rest faced capture, with 50 shot on Hitler’s orders. Despite the grim outcome, the plan showcased incredible teamwork, ingenuity, timing, and courage, leaving an indelible mark on history.

2. Alfred George Hinds – England

In 1953, Alfred George Hinds, imprisoned for a robbery he denied, ingeniously replicated a prison key in 1955. His first escape involved scaling a 20ft-high wall to freedom but ended in recapture after eight months. 

Nicknamed ‘Houdini Hinds,’ he orchestrated his second escape during a court appearance by using a smuggled padlock to trap officers in a restroom. Recaptured at an airport five hours later, he faced Chelmsford Prison.

Hinds’ third escape occurred within a year at Chelmsford. Crafting a copy of a bathhouse key, he climbed through a skylight, evaded the prison wall, and fled to Ireland. 

After eight years as a car salesman, he was arrested for driving an unregistered car, returned to England, and served the remainder of his sentence at Parkhurst Prison. Post-release, Hinds joined MENSA, marking an intriguing chapter in his notorious escapades.

3. Giacomo Casanova – Venice

Famed for his romantic exploits, Giacomo Casanova, the Italian adventurer, executed a renowned escape in 1755 from Venice’s Leads prison, where he faced a five-year sentence for adultery. Casanova ingeniously crafted a digging tool from an iron rod found in the prison yard, initiating a tunnelling attempt from his cell.

After a relocation disrupted his plan, he concealed the tool. With the help of fellow prisoner Balbi, a monk, they orchestrated a daring escape through the prison’s roof. Utilising a knotted bedsheet, they descended into the Doge’s Palace, where a clever ruse facilitated their exit. Casanova’s escape to Paris showcased inventive thinking, patience, teamwork, and unwavering determination in overcoming obstacles.

4. John Dillinger – Indiana

In January 1934, John Dillinger and his gang, arrested in Tucson, Arizona, faced charges for the murder of a police officer in East Chicago, Indiana.

Imprisoned at Crown Point’s Lake County Jail, touted as escape-proof, Dillinger devised a fake gun using a razor and washboard. In March, during morning exercises, he brandished the fake pistol, surprising guards and escaping with Herbert Youngblood.

Conflicting accounts suggest Dillinger’s solo effort or potential assistance from his attorney. After further robberies, Dillinger was later shot and killed by police near Chicago’s Biograph Theatre. His famous escape required timing, patience, and meticulous planning, depending on the version believed.

5. Mary, Queen of Scots – Scotland

Forced to surrender at Carberry Hill in June 1567, Mary, Queen of Scots, imprisoned at Lochleven Castle, plotted her escape after pleas for help were ignored. Disguised as a washerwoman in March 1568, her initial boat escape failed.

Undeterred, Mary befriended Willie Douglas, organising May Day celebrations. Exploiting the festivities, Willie distracted Sir William Douglas, allowing Mary, disguised as a servant, to escape with Jane Kennedy. Their successful getaway to the castle of Niddry relied on teamwork, meticulous planning, May Day timing, and a dash of bravado.

Failed Escapes and Lessons Learned

1. An Unlucky Escape

In June 2011, James Russell experienced an incredibly close-call escape that ranks among the most nail-biting stories we’ve come across. Despite the fact that he’s a criminal, there’s a twinge of sympathy one might almost feel for him!

Initially successful in breaking free from the Olympic Correction Center in Washington, Russell seemed to be in the clear. However, his fortunes took a turn when, far enough from the prison, he decided to approach a cabin in search of a phone. To his misfortune, the occupant turned out to be none other than a prison guard.

Maintaining his prisoner attire, Russell and the guard found themselves in a scuffle. While Russell did succeed in escaping this altercation, a call to nearby guards resulted in his swift recapture. The situation was undeniably a case of being so close yet ultimately falling short.

2. Pretty Woman

Merely a year after James Russell’s escapade, in 2012, Ronald Silva decided to try his hand at a prison break from a Brazilian prison. During his wife’s routine weekly visit, they executed a plan where she swapped clothes with him.

Silva, now clad in her attire, went the extra mile by shaving his arms and legs and donning a wig, lipstick, heels, and fake nails – a transformation that appeared remarkably convincing. Successfully passing the guards, he made a bold exit from the prison. However, this escape proved short-lived as he didn’t get far.

Silva’s downfall came from underestimating the challenges of walking in heels. As he approached friends waiting at a bus stop, a vigilant police officer noticed his evident struggle and sensed something amiss. Silva was promptly apprehended and returned to prison, resulting in a mugshot of the offender in his wife’s dress and a dark wig.

3. A Comic Disguise

Crafted by two friends—one behind bars and the other at liberty—the plan involved the non-incarcerated friend donning a disguise to hold up the prison, ostensibly freeing his imprisoned companion.

If the scheme wasn’t destined for failure from the start, he opted for an oversized Snoopy mascot costume as his disguise and wielded a plastic water pistol as his weapon. A less-than-ideal choice, to say the least. To compound their misfortune, he mistakenly broke into the wrong detention centre. With his friend nowhere in sight, the escape attempt ended in resounding failure.

Exploring VR Escape Rooms

VR escape rooms provide a glimpse into the pressure and excitement of real escapes. While not perilous, they challenge participants with puzzles and time constraints. We encourage everyone to test their skills at Omescape VR escape games in London.

Take your pick of our exhilarating escape game quests like Huxley, Ascenders, and Jumpers, and see if you can make it out in time!

Whether from historical accounts or lighthearted failed attempts, the theme of escape is rich with tales of courage, creativity, and resilience. As you delve into these stories, consider the traits that make a successful escape and perhaps find inspiration for your own “great escape” in the immersive challenges of our free roam escape rooms.