It's not surprising that Spielberg would include specific references to other movies...that's done all the time. In fact, lots of film buffs play a game of spot the reference. In a serious film like this, it's generally taken as a nod of respect.

On a different level, I saw "Chicken Run" with my daughter, and it was fun to see all the references to the old POW films, especially "The Great Escape" -- including the scene with Steve McQueen in the "cooler", throwing the ball against the wall.

Aloha,
Mark