Herbert Massey was the Senior British Officer at Stalag Luft III who authorised the "Great Escape".
12 Facts About Herbert Massey
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Herbert Massey was promoted temporary captain and made a flight commander in December 1916.
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On 4 February 1917, Herbert Massey was wounded and his observer killed when their aircraft was shot down by German ace Werner Voss.
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Herbert Massey commanded No 6 Squadron in operations during the Arab Revolt in Palestine, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, and was a station commander during the early years of the Second World War.
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Herbert Massey was officer commanding of No 10 Operational Training Unit with temporary rank of group captain made permanent in 1942.
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Herbert Massey then became the Senior British Officer at Stalag Luft III, and authorised the "Great Escape" in March 1943.
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Herbert Massey had suffered severe wounds to the same leg in both wars and walked with a limp.
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Herbert Massey had been a veteran escaper himself and had been in trouble with the Gestapo.
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Herbert Massey's experience allowed him to offer sound advice to the X-Organisation.
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Herbert Massey was the basis for the character "Group Captain Ramsey" in the film The Great Escape, played by actor James Donald.
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Herbert Massey has been portrayed by Peter Dennis in the made-for-TV film The Great Escape II: The Untold Story.
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In 2016, a Blue plaque was unveiled at the Hilton House Hotel where Herbert Massey was born, the first Blue Plaque in the village of Hilton.