Eric "Digger" Dowling, the real-life inspiration for the forger character played by Donald Pleasence in The Great Escape has died one day short of his 93rd birthday. Although Dowling played a central role in planning the massive escape from Stalag Luft III, he was not chosen to be one of the escapees. It would be a decision that in all probability saved his life. Only three men successfully made back to Allied territories. Many were captured and 50 more were executed under personal orders from Hitler. In the aftermath of the escape, Dowling witnessed many of his comrades die in harsh winter conditions as the collapsing German army tried to keep their prisoners one step ahead of the advancing Soviet forces. Like many British WWII veterans, Dowling was no fan of John Sturges' classic 1963 film. Because the movie had been financed by an American studio, United Artists, American actors were given equally prominent roles in the story - when in fact the escape was largely a British operation. Dowling also complained that Steve McQueen's legendary motorcycle jump was too "over-the-top." For more on Dowling's remarkable life, click here