Re: "Operation Mincemeat", by Ben MacIntyre...
I am simply amazed at the information given out, in this book, about the dead body that was to become Capt. (Acting Major) William Hynd Norrie Martin, Royal Marines.
In reality he was a 34 year old destitute Welshman named Glyndwr Michael. Born in Aberbargoed, Wales, UK of very poor parents, on January 4, 1909 at 136 Commercial Street.
His father contracted syphilis and passed it on to his wife before Glyndwr was born, so it was assumed that the young man was mentally challenged. The book, "The Man Who Never Was", said that he died of pneumonia. Actually he died of ingesting rat poison and it was never determined whether it was on purpose or accidental.
This young man, who was actually "a nobody" , was to be the leading actor in a spoof that befuddled the German high command, all the way to the desk of Adolph Hitler.
It is fitting to note he was buried, with full military honors, by the Spanish government.
Charles