Stalag Luft I was a German prisoner-of-war camp located near Barth, Germany, established during World War II for captured Allied airmen. Throughout the war, the camp became an essential holding area for nearly 9,000 American and British airmen who had been shot down while engaged in various bombing campaigns over Europe. By April 1945, as Allied forces surged into Germany, the situation for the prisoners became increasingly dire due to food shortages and deteriorating camp conditions. The guards, sensing the inevitable defeat of Nazi Germany, began to abandon their posts, leaving the airmen in a state of uncertainty and hope. On April 30, 1945, Soviet soldiers advancing from the East reached Stalag Luft I, encountering the bewildered and relieved prisoners. The liberating soldiers quickly assessed the situation and ensured the safety of those they freed, providing immediate medical attention to those in need. The event captured both the relief felt by the airmen and the chaotic atmosphere of the war’s final days as the Soviet Army closed in on Berlin. This liberation played a pivotal role in restoring the freedom of thousands of airmen who had endured nearly three years of captivity.