76 prisoners fled the Nazi prison camp Stalag Luft III. More than 600 prisoners participated in the tunnel construction and, once completed, 200 were selected to escape. But in full flight, the guards found the tunnel. Of those who managed to escape 73 were captured, of which 50 were immediately executed. Only three managed to prevent the Nazis from being run over them. The Great Escape is a film based on these facts.
Tim Carrón, The great escape from Stalag Luft III. The Full Story of How 76 Allied Officers Carried OutWorld War II’s Most Remarkable Mass Escape (Pocket Books).