Nine Days in Hell: A British Commando in Arnhem (Walk Among Heroes)

A teenager during the Battle of Britain, Rod enlisted in the British Army at age seventeen, prepared to fight as an Infantryman in World War II. Following a successful Normandy invasion, Rod planned to join the Allies’ rapid advance across Europe. Just weeks into Basic Training, Rod was selected for Commando School, destined to join an elite group of special operations war fighters. Weeks before Rod was due to graduate Commando training, he was mysteriously removed and transported to an airfield. The next day, he participated in the largest Airborne invasion in military history. On September 17, 1944, Rod jumped into Arnhem as part of ‘Operation Market Garden,’ an aggressive plan to secure an attack route into Germany through the Netherlands. Despite being wounded as he exited the aircraft, Rod fought in Arnhem for nine days in brutal, unthinkable conditions. Surrounded by Germans, 10,000 of Rod’s men jumped in, and only 2,000 returned. Demonstrating remarkable courage, led by Lieutenant Colonel John Frost, Rod and his men held the Arnhem Bridge for three days, repelling massive German counterattacks. Finally running out of food, supplies, and ammunition, Frost was wounded, leaving Rod and his men to fend for themselves. For the next six days, Rod fought through brutal urban combat in Arnhem.One of few Arnhem survivors, Rod continued military service through the end of war, to Russia, the Nuremburg Trials, and even the liberation of a German Concentration Camp. Following the war, Rod worked on several top-secret government projects including a real-life flying saucer, as well as the Avro Arrow, one of the most controversial military projects in history. Later, Rod was recruited by General Motors where he developed prototypes for the Corvette project. A very quiet and humble man, Rod has never shared his story. Spanning from childhood to today, with a focus on his World War II service, this is Rod’s story. Written by a soldier, for a soldier, author Jeff Wells frames Rod’s military experiences within the strategic significance of Operation Market Garden. Incorporating the work of other historians and his own experiences in combat, Wells frames Rod’s role within the greater context of World War II. 100% of all proceeds from the sale of this book assist WISH for OUR HEROES, a charity dedicated to helping military families with basic needs: food, shelter, transportation, child needs, and medical expenses. To learn more, visit www.wishforourheroes.org.