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Geoff Mitchell served in The Norfolk Regiment prior to volunteering for The Parachute Regiment during World War II.He qualified as a military parachutist on course 20, which ran at RAF Ringway from 27 July to 3 August 1942 and was posted to A Company 2nd Parachute Battalion.

Mitchell fought with the battalion in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Arnhem.

During the Battle of Arnhem, Mitchell served in Sgt Neville Ashley's section as an Assistant Bren Gunner and was wounded by 20mm cannon fire during the initial assault on the pill box on the road bridge. He survived and was held as a Prisoner of War until Spring 1945.

Mitchell was subsequently posted to 9th Parachute Battalion and served as a Sergeant with them on operations in Palestine.

 

Sergeant Geoffrey Mitchell

Service History

Operations

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Palestine
Arab intransigence over the surge of Jewish immigration that followed the Holocaust in Europe led to the forming of extreme d...

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Sicily (Operation Husky)
Speed was essential to prevent the consolidation of Italian and German defences facing a rapid pincer movement launched from ...

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North Africa (Operation Torch)
On 12 November the 3rd Parachute Battalion (3 Para Bn) jumped onto and seized the vital airfield at Bone between Algiers and ...

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Italy
The Italians had capitulated while the force was still at sea. The sinking of HMS Abdiel by a mine in the harbour, however, r...

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Arnhem (Operation Market Garden)
1st Allied Airborne Corps, which included the American 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, was tasked to secure the main canal...
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Group photos

Group photo of 1st Platoon, A Company, 2nd Para Bn taken at Barletta, Italy, 1943.
Group photo of 1st Platoon, A Company, 2nd Para Bn taken at Barletta, Italy, 1943.
Men of the 2nd Parachute Battalion in Altamura, Italy, 1943.
Men of the 2nd Parachute Battalion in Altamura, Italy, 1943.