Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An original Royal Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book appertaining to Flying Officer R. Powell, Royal Air Force who flew as a Wireless Operator in Wellingtons and Halifaxes for at least 27 operational sorties with 192 Squadron, and was taken prisoner of war 23/24 February 1945, when his aircraft crashed flying in support of operations on Pforzheim, covering the period March 1943 - February 1945, generally in good condition £100-140

Reginald Powell was born in November 1911, and resided at 26 Copley Park, Streatham, London. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force in September 1939, and served during the Second War as a Wireless Operator. Powell carried out initial training at No. 2 Radio School from March 1943, and continued his training with No. 3 (O) A.F.U. until April of the following year. On the latter date he was posted for operational flying with 192 Squadron (Wellingtons and Halifaxes) at Foulsham. The Squadron were primarily engaged on radar-counter measures, and this entailed flying over Germany, France and the Low Countries, identifying enemy radar patterns and wavelengths.

Powell flew in at least 27 operational sorties with the Squadron, including: Paris area (3); Gelsenkirchen; Sterkrade; Revigny; Hamburg; Dijon; Saarbrucken and in support of operations on Pforzheim, 23/24 February 1945. On the latter date, having advanced to Pilot Officer, Powell flew in Halifax III NA241 DT-O, which ‘T/o 1610 Foulsham in support of operations over Pforzheim. Crashed near the town of Holzgerlingen below Boblingen... P/O Powell was the specialist equipment operator.’ (Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War refers).

Out of the crew of eight, all were killed with the exception of Powell who was taken prisoner of war. He ‘laid up in woods overnight. Captured 1400 hrs next day trying to cross main road by hue and cry by civilians. Not badly treated. Physically fit. Did not meet companions. Germans later confirmed all killed.’ (M.I.9 debrief refers)

Powell was interned at Oberusel, Wetslav, Nuremburg and Moosburg. The raid on Pforzheim had also seen the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross to Captain E. Swales of the South African Air Force. Powell retired as a Flying Officer in November 1956.