Per Bergsland
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| Per Bergsland | |
|---|---|
| 1919-1992 | |
| Nickname | Rocky Rockland |
| Place of birth | Norway |
| Allegiance | Norway |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | RAF 332nd Squadron |
| Commands held | Spitfire VB AB269 AH:D |
Sgt Per Bergsland (born on January 17, 1919, died June 9, 1992) was a Norwegian POW in the German POW camp Stalag Luft III.
A member of the RAF 332nd Squadron stationed at North Weald airfield, Bergsland's Spitfire VB AB269 AH:D was shot down by a German FW-190 during the Dieppe Raid on August 19, 1942. After arriving at the POW camp, he gave his name as 'Rocky Rockland' to the Germans, because he feared how they might treat Norwegian RAF pilots - and hid his nationality.
In what later became known as The "Great Escape", he was among the 76 prisoners of war who managed to escape from the camp. Only three made it to neutral countries and freedom. He and another Norwegian pilot managed to make it together via Sweden. (For more details about their way to freedom see the article about his companion Jens Müller.)
The third escapee was the Dutchman Bram van der Stok, who escaped to Spain with the help of the Dutch resistance.
The remaining 73 escapees were captured. Hitler wanted to execute them all, but Himmler persuaded him not to do this, and fifty were shot as an example. The remaining 23 were held in the custody of the Gestapo before being sent off to other camps. 17 were returned to Stalag Luft III, four were sent to Sachsenhausen, and two to Colditz Castle.
