A Crystal Wireless Set Concealed in a Bottle: The Secret Radio that Kept Hope Alive in Stalag VIII-B
War has always been a catalyst for human ingenuity. One such remarkable example of creativity in the face of dire circumstances is this crystal wireless set that was cleverly hidden by British prisoners-of-war (POWs) during the Second World War. It played a vital role in keeping the POWs informed of the war’s progress, as it allowed them to secretly listen to BBC news broadcasts while in captivity at Stalag VIII-B, a POW camp located in what is now Lambinowice, Poland.
The wireless set was generously donated to the Museum by Rifleman R. Willbourne of The King’s Royal Rifle Corps. While the story of how this wireless set came into his possession remains unknown, we do know that Willbourne was captured during the war and held at Stalag VIII-B, which was later renumbered Stalag 344. This camp became the temporary home for thousands of Allied soldiers, but it was also the scene of a remarkable act of subterfuge that spanned more than three years.
The wireless set was no ordinary device. To hide it from the ever-watchful eyes of the German Gestapo, the POWs ingeniously concealed it within a water bottle. The design of the concealment was both simple and effective. A tube was inserted into the neck of the bottle, running to the bottom, which was capped to hold water. When German guards conducted inspections, they would tip the bottle, see water flowing from it, and assume it was just an ordinary water container.
This story exemplifies the ingenuity and resourcefulness of POWs during the war. Captured soldiers, deprived of their freedom and cut off from their homes, used whatever means they could to stay connected with their side of the conflict. In a world where access to information could mean the difference between despair and hope, the ability to hear news from the outside world was a lifeline. This fascinating object serves as a powerful reminder of the extraordinary lengths to which people will go to preserve hope, stay informed, and resist oppression.
Object Details: Blue metal water bottle approximately 12cm x 17cm x 6cm with cork stopper, designed to conceal the wireless radio set including headphones.
