Herbert Massey

Air Commodore Herbert Martin Massey CBE DSO MC (19 January 1898 – c. 1976) was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force during World War II. After being captured by the Germans, Massey became the Senior British Officer at Stalag Luft III.

Wounded in World War I, he lost half of his leg but was amongst the small band of amputees who remained in the RAF and continued flying. In 1936, he was wounded again while taking part in operations with No. 6 Squadron RAF in Palestine. However, he was able to make a safe landing and recovered successfully.

He was flying aboard Short Stirling N3750, piloted by Flt Lt N E Winch, during the second of the 'Thousand Bomber' raids, when it was shot down near the Dutch coast. All of the crew were able to bail out and were taken prisoner. Sent to Stalag Luft III at Sagan, he became Senior British Officer and under his authority plans for a mass escape were instituted. Planning began in 1943, and the "Great Escape" of March 1944 resulted in 76 prisoners escaping, although 73 were later recaptured and 50 were executed on Hitler's orders.

Massey did not take part in the escape and was eventually repatriated to Britain due to ill health. After arriving back in the UK he informed the British Government of the Stalag Luft III murders, a violation of the Geneva Convention, setting in motion a formal investigation.

After Massey's death, a memorial service in his honour was held on 22 May 1976 at St Clement Danes Church.

Massey was the basis for the character Group Captain Ramsey in the film The Great Escape (who also walks with a stick), played by actor James Donald.

Honours and awards
He received the following awards and honours:
 * CBE - 2 Jan 1950
 * DSO - 6 Nov 1936
 * MC - 1917
 * Mentioned in Dispatches - 23 Jul 1937, 1 Jan 1941 and 24 Sep 1941