Captain Wilfred Henry Robinson
National Archives catalogue reference - WO 208/3325/103
Name: 117940 Captain Wilfred Henry Robinson.
Unit: 3rd Parachute Battalion, 1st Airborne Division.
Captured: Arnhem, 20th September 1944.
Escaped: Emmerich, 21st September 1944
Left: Eindhoven, 24th October 1944.
Arrived: U.K., 24 October 1944.
Date of Birth: 24th December 1917.
Army Service: Since September 1939.
Peacetime Profession: Student.
Private Address: Rokeby, Beach Road, Muizenberg, Capetown, South Africa.
I was dropped with my Battalion at 1400 hours on 17 Sep 33 North-east of RENKUM (N.W. EUROPE, 1:250,000 Sheet 2A and 3A, E 6277). We proceeded to ARNHEM (E 77) and arrived at the bridge there at midnight. We made contact with the 2nd Bn. Para. Regt. I remained in the vicinity of the bridge until approx. 1500 hours, 20 Sep, 44.
We then split up into groups of approx. ten men. The following were in my group:-
Sgt. MASON (Safe in U.K.),
Sgt. WALLACE (believe P/W),
L/Cpl. WARD (believed P/W),
Capt. MACKAY (S/P.G.(G) 2758),
L/Cpl. EMMETT or EMERY, 1st Para. Sqn., R.E. (fate unknown).
and approximately six others (names unknown).
A few minutes later my party was split up by enemy action and Capt. MACKAY, Sgt. MASON, L/Cpl. WARD, a Sapper (name unknown), and I hid under a bush in a garden. At approx. 1600 hours a party of seven Germans entered the garden. One of their number stepped on Sgt. MASON and we were discovered and taken prisoner.
We were then taken to near the railway marshalling yard in ARNHEM, where we met about twenty other Ps/W. We remained there until 1900 hours when we were taken by lorry to a hotel, probably in DUIVEN (E 87). We remained there until 0900 hours on 21 Sep 44 when we were taken by lorry to a P/W Transit camp one mile north of EMMERICH (E 9760), where there were already about 40 Allied Ps/W.
At 2200 hours Pte. MATT and Pte. ESPARZA, both 505 (?) Regt, 82nd Div, U.S.A. Army, and I climbed through a window into a roadway which passed along one side of the camp. The iron grill covering the window had been loosened and prepared for escape by a Sapper (name unknown).
The three of us walked North-west across country until 0430 hours on 22 Sep 44 when we hid in a wood. We separated and arranged to meet again at dark. At about 1930 hours I met Pte. ESPARZA and we searched for Pte. MATT until 2300 hours. We failed to find him.
We remained there until 2000 hours when we again started walking West. Owing to rivers, etc, we were making very slow progress so we walked North to the railway and followed it throughout the remainder of that night.
At 0530 hours on 24 Sep 44 we approached a farm and hid in a barn. About an hour later we were discovered by a woman who called her husband. I then asked her in Afrikaans to tell me her nationality. She stated that she was German, but that her husband was a Dutchman. I eventually told them that we were British and we were informed that we could remain in the barn until dark. During the day we were provided with food and at 2000 hrs. we began walking North across country.
At 0330 hours on 25 Sep 44 we arrived at a farm about 3 kms South-west of DIDAM (E 8772). We hid in a barn, but our presence was discovered by a workman at 0900 hours. The owner of the farm was informed and he came to us. After some discussion he agreed that we should remain there until dark. We were supplied with food.
At 1900 hours a former Dutch soldier arrived and guided us to a road leading North. He gave us directions regarding the best way to cross the river IJSSEL. We walked North until 0400 hours on 26 Sep 44 when we went into a barn attached to a farmhouse North of GRIET (E 8673). At 0800 hours we were discovered by two Dutch boys. They brought their parents who gave us food. We stayed there until approx. 2230 hours.
We then walked North and arrived at BINGERDEN, approx. 5 kms. west of DOESBURG (E 9081). We searched for a boat to enable us to cross the river, but we were unsuccessful. We then approached a farm 1 km. Each of BINGERDEN, where we arrived at 0530 hours on 27 Sep 44. We hid in a barn and at 1030 hours attracted the attention of the farmer. The farmer brought a man who said he would make contact with the Dutch Underground movement.
That evening a Dutchman (name unknown) came to the barn with two pairs of overalls. We wore those over our uniforms and at 2300 hours we were taken to a haystack about 400 yards from the farm. We remained there until 0400 hours on 28 Sep 44 when the Dutchman returned and directed us to another farm in the district.
We proceeded to this farm and remained there until 2200 hours. We were then taken to another farm and stayed there until 1730 hours when we were taken back to the previous farm. We stayed in various buildings near this farm until 2200 hours on 4 Oct 44. The farmer provided us with food etc.
A farmer (name unknown) came to the farm and took us to a hut near GIESBEEK (E 8779), where we remained until approx 10 Oct 44. During this time the farmer provided us with food.
On the morning of 4 Oct 44 I met Ptes. LORNE and ROSS, 156 Bn. Para. Regt. They remained in hiding near the farm.
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.
Lieutenant Donald Rostron Hindley
National Archives catalogue reference - WO 208/3325/82
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).