2x Photos of Luftwaffe RKT Franz von Werra (Sole Pilot to escape from British Captivity to Germany!)

Pair of original wartime photographs depicting Luftwaffe officers in conversation and during an award or inspection ceremony, taken outdoors at a forest airfield or training camp, with wooden barracks visible in the background. The officer at the center is Franz von Werra, wearing a Luftwaffe flight tunic with decorations including the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, Pilot’s Badge, and Iron Cross First Class.

The left image captures von Werra walking and conversing informally with a fellow officer, while the right photograph shows him in formation during what appears to be a decorations or commendation event, marked by the presence of senior officers and a formal salute.

Historical Context:
Franz von Werra (1914–1941) was one of the most famous Luftwaffe fighter aces and is best known as the only German pilot to successfully escape from British captivity and return to Germany during the Second World War. His exploits became legendary, later inspiring the 1957 British film The One That Got Away. Von Werra received the Knight’s Cross for his early wartime aerial victories with Jagdgeschwader 3 “Udet”, before his capture in 1940 and eventual death in a flying accident in 1941.

Collector’s Note:
These photographs, attributed to von Werra, are historically significant private images likely taken between 1940 and early 1941, providing a rare informal look at one of the Luftwaffe’s most publicized aces. Such photographs are highly desirable for collectors focusing on Luftwaffe history, early Knight’s Cross holders, or aviation escape narratives of the Second World War.