Zero Night

Zero Night: The Untold Story of World War Two's Greatest Escape by Mark Felton

Zero Night is a gripping, moment-by-moment account of one of the most daring and meticulously planned prison escapes of the Second World War. Combining suspenseful storytelling with rigorous historical research, historian Mark Felton brings to life an extraordinary true story of courage, ingenuity, and determination behind enemy lines.

On August 30, 1942—known to the prisoners as “Zero Night”—forty Allied officers launched an audacious mass escape from the heavily guarded Oflag prison. Months of secret preparation came down to just three minutes of chaos as the men stormed the double perimeter fences using wooden ladders and bridges cleverly disguised as bookshelves. The coordinated operation succeeded in freeing thirty-six officers into the German countryside, marking what later became known as the legendary “Warburg Wire Job.”

The escape was so bold and imaginative that fellow prisoner and famed fighter ace Douglas Bader called it “the most brilliant escape conception of this war.” Felton’s narrative follows not only the dramatic breakout itself but also the perilous journeys of the escapees as they evaded capture, relying on their own resourcefulness and the bravery of civilians who risked their lives to help them.

With the pacing of a thriller and the authenticity of historical scholarship, Zero Night reveals the human drama behind wartime captivity and resistance. It is a powerful tribute to the Allied officers who dared to defy captivity and to the quiet heroes who aided them, making it essential reading for anyone fascinated by World War II, military history, and true adventure.

Key Features

• Written by historian Mark Felton
• A detailed account of the “Zero Night” escape from Oflag prison in 1942
• Explores the planning, execution, and aftermath of one of World War II’s most daring breakouts
• Profiles of Allied officers, escapees, and civilian helpers
• Combines historical research with cinematic, suspenseful storytelling
• Hardcover edition with 320 pages
• Ideal for readers interested in World War II, resistance movements, and true wartime adventures