Magic at War

The benefits of magic performances for prisoners-of-war For Prisoners-of-War (POWs) of all theatres of war, entertainment in prison camps provided much needed enjoyment and escapism. During the performances, the entertainers and their audiences might escape for an hour or two into a happier world. A performer on an improvised stage and open-air auditorium in the Changi POW complex (Source: Public domain) Working creatively and cooperatively with other performers and stage staff, gave those involved a focused goal and a sense of team spirit. It kept their minds active and positive. For British POW-magician Fergus Anckorn, the interactions with other actors during rehearsals were a major factor in his survival: “ I remember when we rehearsed and all that sort of thing, you quite forgot that you were in these terrible circumstances. We were learning a script and getting on with it, and doing our little show. Lots of laughs backstage, and that sort of thing... and it undoubtedly h...

In this incredible  personal  story, magician Paul Potassy gives a thrilling first-hand account of how magic literally saved his life during winter operations in World War Two...  Austrian by birth, Paul Potassy (Paul Ludwig Alexander of Potassy) (1923-2018) developed an early interest in magic and was performing in cabaret and other public venues before he finished high school. With the German annexation of Austria in 1938, the family was relocated to Berlin, where Paul got to see many top magic acts of the day. He went on to university to study engineering. But, he wanted to become a professional magician and, in 1940, he joined the German Magic Circle as its youngest member.  Soon after, World War Two intervened to halt his plans. He was conscripted into the Germany Army in November 1941 and sent off to complete his basic military training on the Eastern Front. Paul Potassy in military uniform (1942) (Source: 'Heroes of Magic' by John Fisher) Fifteen months later,...