Obituary Colonel Geoffrey Powell Mc

Discussion in 'Airborne' started by Julian Whippy, Feb 14, 2005.

  1. Julian Whippy

    Julian Whippy Junior Member

    I read today of the death last month of Colonel Geoffrey Powell MC, aged 90.
    Powell was in command of C Company, 156 Para at the Operation Market Garden Battles in Holland 1944.
    His bravery inspired those around him and he was awarded the MC for his actions around the Oosterbeek perimeter, west of Arnhem.

    He was born on Christmas day 1914 and entered the Army as a Subaltern with the Green Howards in 1939. Later transferring to the Parachute Regiment. He went on to have a distinguished career overseas and at the Staff College, before joining MI5 for 12 years.

    He wrote several books, with 2 written about Arnhem. Men At Arnhem was written with a pseudonym then The Devils Birthday: the bridges to Arnhem.

    Geoffrey Powell died on January 5th, he leaves a wife and 2 children.
     
  2. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Sorry to read that Julian; his books on Arnhem are superb.
     
  3. Mark Hone

    Mark Hone Senior Member

    'Men At Arnhem' was republished in recent years under his real name and with an explanatory forward detailing the people on whom the characters were based. It has long been one of my favourite military first-hand accounts. On our Arnhem tour we read out his moving description of the doomed supply drop at the Air Despatchers' Memorial.
     
  4. Kiwiwriter

    Kiwiwriter Very Senior Member

    Sorry to hear of his death. I have "The Devil's Birthday." Good book.
     

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