Gordon Brettell  Edward Gordon Brettell DFC (19 March 1915 – 29 March 1944), known as Gordon Brettell, was a British Spitfire fighter pilot who was taken prisoner during the Second World War. He took part in the 'Great Escape' from Stalag Luft III in March 1944, but was one of the men re-captured and subsequently shot by the "Gestapo". Gordon Brettell was born in Chertsey Surrey, the son of Eileen and stockbroker Vivian Brettell and after attending Cheltenham College gained a bachelor of arts degree from Clare College, Cambridge University and then lived in the family home at St Ann’s Hill before embarking on a career in his Austin 7 as a motor racing driver. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force at the start of 1940 as an aircraftman pilot candidate with the service number 61053. On completion of flight training he was commissioned as pilot officer on 17 February 1941. From final stage training at No. 58 Operational Training Unit Brettell Joined No. 92 Squadron RAF flying the Spitfire on 3 March 1941 and on 4 September 1941 probably shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 109 in combat. He was promoted to flying officer on 17 February 1942 and in the summer of 1942 he was posted to No. 133 (Eagle) Squadron RAF at Lympne as a flight commander, the only British officer within the volunteer US unit. He was temporarily in command of the squadron. During his service with 133 Squadron, led by Don Blakeslee, he flew over the Dieppe beaches as top cover while the amphibious commando raid took place on 19 August 1942 and shot down a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighter during the mission. On 29 September 1942 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service with 133 (Eagle) Squadron, his citation stating,  This officer has participated in 111 sorties over enemy occupied territory. He has always displayed the greatest keenness to engage the enemy. On one occasion he was wounded in combat and, on recovery, he resumed operational flying with renewed zest. He is an excellent flight commander. Leading 133 Squadron on a bomber escort mission he took off in a Supermarine Spitfire Mark IX fighter (serial number "BS313") on 26 September 1942 to escort a group of B-17 bombers to Morlaix. The entire formation was blown far off course by adverse winds and only one of the twelve aircraft of 133 Squadron made it back to England after attacks by fighters, anti-aircraft fire and fuel shortage.