Lieutenant Donald Rostron Hindley
Unit : Headquarters, 1st Parachute Squadron
Army No. : 258859
Awards : Mentioned in Despatches.
Lieutenant Hindley was the Intelligence Officer of the 1st Parachute Squadron. The following is his MI9 escape and evasion report:
Name: 258859 Lt. Donald Rostron Hindley.
Unit: 1st Parachute Squadron, R.E., 1st Airborne Division.
Captured: Arnhem, 20th September 1944.
Escaped: Didam, 21st September 1944
Left: Eindhoven, 24th October 1944.
Arrived: U.K., 24 October 1944.
Date of Birth: 14th October 1919.
Army Service: Since 26th September 1939.
Peacetime Profession: Civil Engineer.
Private Address: 91 Upton Driver, Chester.
I was dropped with my Squadron about 1400 hrs on 17 Sep 44 near RENKUM (N.W. EUROPE 1:250,000, Sheet 2a and 3a, E 5978). I proceeded with half of the Sqn. (12 men) to ARNHEM (E 77), where we arrived at 2130 hrs. We took up a defensive position on the Eastern end of the bridge and were engaged by the enemy. On the evening of 19 Sep we were forced to leave our position as the house had been set on fire. By this time I had joined forces with Capt. BRIGGS. We moved to a position under the bridge, where we joined Lt. GREYBURN. We remained there until 1200 hrs on 20 Sep, when we were attacked by an enemy tank at about five yards range. Our party scattered and we sustained severe casualties.
I was accompanied by a Private (name unknown) of (I think) the 2 Para Bn. We hid in a clump of bushes until 2000 hrs when organised British resistance had ceased. I destroyed all my secret papers and left my hiding place with the intention of trying to cross the river. I jumped over a wall and landed beside a German patrol. A few moments later the Private who had been following me, was also captured.
We were taken to a position under the bridge, where we met two wounded Officers and five O.Rs. We remained there until 2200 hrs, when we were taken to a P/W cage on the river bank. The wounded were given first aid.
On arrival at the P/W cage I assisted a wounded man into the first aid post. As I was unobserved for a moment I put a German Officers' cap on my head and was putting on a German Officers' greatcoat, when a guard saw me. These articles were taken away from me, but I was not punished in any way.
At 0330 hrs on 21 Sep the nine of us were taken by lorry to near DIDAM (E 8972), where we were accommodated in a barn. We were then given some food and water, the first since our capture.
At 0800 hrs I climbed to the roof of the barn and removed two of the roof tiles. After removing all my clothes except my shirt and trousers I was able to crawl through the hole I had made. I then jumped to the ground and, as I had carried my boots, the sentry posted outside the barn door did not hear me.
I walked South-east across country and after travelling about two km. I went to a farmhouse and asked for help. Although I spoke in German, the farmer appeared not to understand me. When I was leaving the premises, another Dutchman approached me and took me into a barn. He went away and returned about half an hour later with civilian clothes, food etc. I donned the civilian clothes and the men escorted me to another farm, where I stayed for about an hour. A boy then escorted me to a wood, where I remained until the following morning (22 Sep).
At 0800 hrs I returned to the farm and obtained a map of the area. I was advised to walk North. I walked across country to near GIESBEEK (E 8679), where I approached a farm. The farmer hid me in a ditch and went away. He returned about two hours later accompanied by another Dutchman, who spoke English.
I stayed at various houses until I was joined by Capt. ROBINSON, 1 Airborne Div., on 13 Oct.
The remainder of my experiences are as related by Capt. ROBINSON in his report (S/P/G.(H) 2870).
Captain Robinson's report continues:
About 7 Oct 44 Lieut. HINDLEY, 1st Para. Sqn., R.E., was brought to the hut in which we were staying. A few hours later he returned to his own hiding place in the district. On that day I also received a note from Major HIBBERT which stated that we were to remain where we were.
At 1730 hours on 10 Oct 44 Pte. ESPARZA and I were taken to a point on the river IJSSEL North of GEISBEEK. We travelled there by bicycle. We were then taken across the river near STEEG (E 8581) by boat. We were taken to a house in STEEG, where we stayed until 1730 hours on 11 Oct 44.
Our guides of the previous day then took us to a cross-roads, where we met two other Dutchman. The remainder of our journey was arranged for us.