Herbert Massey

Who was Herbert Massey?

Air Commodore Herbert Martin Massey CBE DSO MC 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.