'Great escape' digger dies

LONDON, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Eric "Digger" Dowling, who helped set up World War II's "great escape," has died on the eve of his 93rd birthday.

Dowling died in his sleep in a nursing home near Stoke Bishop, Bristol, The Times of London reported.

Dowling forged passports, made maps and helped dig the one tunnel the Germans didn't discover before 250 prisoners escaped from Stalag Luft III in occupied Poland. Many of those who fled in what is regarded as World War II's biggest breakout, carried documents forged by Dowling, who couldn't accompany them because he wasn't one of the 250 chosen by lot, The Times said. Three got away; 50 were reported executed on Adolf Hitler's personal order.

Dowling, a Royal Air Force lieutenant who was navigator of a Wellington bomber, was shot down in April 1942 and spent three years in Stalag Luft III. While there, he learned five languages. His nickname came from his proficiency at digging tunnels, The Times said.

The breakout was featured in the film "The Great Escape," which he had said he thought wasn't very realistic especially dealing with the hardships of the tunnel diggers.