The Man Who Never Was

[Trumpet_trousers]

Operation Mincemeat

Took a couple of photos on Sunday at Huelva, which is the last resting place for Glyndwr Michael, aka Major William Martin RM - The Man Who Never Was. Fascinating true story (and excellent 1956 film too.) When I figure out how to post the pictures here, I will do so. Hopefully the 3 links appear below...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xb7qxtti5dh3w9w/Photo%2012-05-2013%2013%2046%2034.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hop1rfdkjpafkgf/Photo%2012-05-2013%2013%2044%2006.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qmy060i99vmnpfg/Photo%2012-05-2013%2013%2048%2014.jpg

Aviation connection? A few metres from "Major Martin's" resting place, there lies a French aviator, Georges Leforestier, who died 4 Sept 1911 in Huelva. I have been unable to find any information about him and his demise - I know that there was an aircraft type called Leforestier during that period, but t'interweb seems to have little information about the circumstances of his death - perhaps an early record attempt went tragically wrong?

[Exascot]

When I figure out how to post the pictures here, I will do so.

See: www.dropbox.com

Put your photos on this in a 'public' folder. Copy the link and put it into the 'insert image' box.

[Trumpet_trousers]

Thanks E-a, it will have to wait until I get home, as the net-nanny at work won't let me access it... :ugh:

[AtomKraft]

I read it wasn't Glyndwr Michael, but a body recovered fro the scene of HMS Dashers' sinking in the Clyde.

Probably never know for sure...

[Hueymeister]

Good read, the book that is.

[Trumpet_trousers]

Photos now included in original post (hopefully not too big!) :ok:

[Herod]

Yes, a hard man to track down. If you read Spanish, go to: Aeroclub de Huelva > Aeroclub > Noticias (http://www.aeroclubdehuelva.es). There is a centenary programme. A picture of the aircraft, and also one of the wreck, can be found in the programme.There is also an article at Huelva Información, Noticias de Huelva y su Provincia (http://www.huelvainformacion.es). Google translator says that he made one nine-minute flight, the first at Huelva, and then, on his second flight, from a height of about 80 metres, he crashed and burned.

More can be found by Googling "georges leforestier"+aviation.

[barnstormer1968]

AtomKraft

The identity is now well out in the public domain, as well as the full details of how he lived and died.

The film is all a bit 'made up' and is only roughly correct, just like The Cockleshell heroes film

[Arqueomoreno]

Georges Leforestier flew in the first Sitges-Tarragona Air Raid in place of the aviator Mauvais. It happened on July 4, 1911 and Leforestier had an accident with a Bleriot IX plane. It fell shortly after taking off from Sitges, in the area known as Els Colls, between Sitges and Vilanova and la Geltrú (Barcelona). Survived rescued by fishermen with just a blow to the head, but a few months later he died in Huelva after his plane caught fire. I am currently writing a book on the subject. I would like to thank the person who photographed his tomb in Huelva, since he did not know if his body had been repatriated to France or not.