A signed first original 'Kriegie Edition' hardback copy of '...

Hammer

£70.00

A signed first original 'Kriegie Edition' hardback copy of 'The Yorkshire Post', carried by Royal Air Force Sergeant James Alexander Graham "Dixie" Deans MBE during the infamous 'Long March' of 1945. This personal copy is uniquely inscribed to his Niece, reading: "To June & David, Greetings & very best wishes, Dixie Deans, 27/12/77."

A revered figure among Allied prisoners, Deans was the elected camp leader and played a pivotal role in guiding 2,000 Allied POWs across Europe as they were forced to march by their German captors.

Fluent in German, Deans earned the respect of both his fellow prisoners and the German guards. Throughout the grueling march, he took charge of the daily survival details, pressuring the Germans for food, transport for the sick, and better accommodations. In a bold move, he convinced the German commandant, Oberst Ostmann, to let him make contact with the approaching British forces, warning them of the POW columns. Upon his return, Deans successfully led his men to safety and personally accepted Ostmann's surrender.

Deans’ incredible wartime service began when he was shot down on 10 September 1940 while piloting a Whitley bomber. After crash-landing in Holland, he was captured and sent to Stalag Luft I, and later transferred to Stalag Luft III. There, he organized covert intelligence networks and bribed guards to build radios, allowing POWs to stay informed through BBC broadcasts. He also played a key role in passing secret information to MI9 through coded letters.

This unique artifact, carried by Deans during the march, stands as a testament to his leadership, resilience, and courage.