When Lance Corporal Harold Cook, of the Parachute Regiment, was reported missing at Arnhem, his father, who lives at 11 South Roundhay, South Yardley, came to the “Evening Standard” office to have Harold’s picture inserted in the missing column.

Mr. Cook has recently visited the Evening Despatch radiant with smiles. One did not have to look long to see the cause of his joy. Harold stood just behind him looking fit and well. He had escaped and reached our lines.

While he sat with his father enjoying a cigarette, Harold unfolded the story of the struggle at Arnhem, of his capture and his escape.

When dropped from the plane he found himself on a flat stretch of grassy land in some woods. The paratroops grouped and advanced into Arnhem, to the bridge. Another brigade was fighting somewhere on the other side of it.

The Germans, with their heavy artillery and Tiger tanks, forced the Tommies back. They went in again, but the heavy German armour pushed them [back]  to Oosterbeek, a village on the outskirts of Arnhem, trapped in house.

Here the paratroops dug in to make their stand. Harold, with four other men, including his friend, Pte. Harris Levy, who was with him in Palestine, were detailed to hold a house. Night and day they were incessantly shelled and showered with mortar bombs. This punctuated with infantry attacks, went on for five days, but still the grim five held on. They sheltered in the cellar when they were being bombarded and then rushed up to meet the incoming Germans.

On the fifth day while Harold and two of his comrades were in the cellar with 27 civilians. German troops, following heavy shelling by Tiger tanks, went round the back of the house and trapped them. After throwing five grenades into the cellar with little effect, the Germans threatened to wipe out the men, women and children if the trio did not come out. Reluctantly Harold and his two comrades gave up. Pte. Levy and a comrade, who had been upstairs when the Germans took the house, slipped out. When the enemy departed they returned and threw hand grenades at them. Harold does not know what happened to his chum after that.

Harold, together with other paratroops, who were prisoners, was confined in a closed-in freight wagon of a prison train to be transported to a prison camp. The train stayed in the station all day, and while it waited the prisoners went to work and Harold made his escape.

Researched and donated by Robert Hilton. Article from The Evening Standard