News about Alex Ross

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS: In World War II, Colditz Castle was renowned for its use as a German high-security PoW camp, Oflag IV-C. At the impressive pile on the River Mulde near Leipzig, Allied officers who had attempted many escapes from other camps were housed. They had a nefarious fear that they would never escape such a fortress. Officers were entitled to have a batman and were detained in prison camps under Geneva Convention. At Colditz, senior officers were a piece, and junior officers were one of a mess, with junior officers tasked with duties such as cooking, sweeping, and boot polishing.

Brody Crouch of Melbourne had 'two miracle catches in a single night' as he knocked down two early contenders for the tournament's title in a dramatic Big Bash League opener on Tuesday. In their innings, the Stars could only muster 8-12, but they were on track to defend their modest figure in Canberra, with the Sydney Thunder needing eight to advance to the final. However, Gurinder Sandhu's fourth ball of the 20th century over, before Melbourne keeper Joe Clarke let the Thunder win by four byes.

Private Alex Ross was summoned to his local post office two weeks after being released from Colditz in 1945 and returning home to Scotland. Douglas Bader, the legendary legless fighter pilot, rushed to find him on the line. Ross, a medical orderly, had been Bader's batman in the prison camp. He had been a very put-upon dogbody during his captivity, hauling the wing commander up and down stairs, baking his meals, and washing his stump socks. Ross assumed that his boss must now call to express his appreciation. Instead, without any introduction, a gruff voice thundered down the phone: 'Have you got my legs?'