Bob Stoodley

Pathfinder, 22nd Independent Parachute company. Tweeting from 1944 as one of the #dday7 for D-Day: As It Happens. to follow all of us.

[Bob Stoodley @dday7bob]

It's well into midnight by the time I'm taken back...

[Bob Stoodley @dday7bob]

Time after time they are repeating: 'We'll give you one more chance. How many in the unit? What division? What regiment?' #dday7

[Bob Stoodley @dday7bob]

What's upsetting is that they have found out that I'm a Pathfinder. So they've decided to interrogate me a little longer #dday7

[Bob Stoodley @dday7bob]

They have two guards and one interrogator

[Bob Stoodley @dday7bob]

The room is quite austere. It looks like the kitchen of a huge house - a scullery.

[Bob Stoodley @dday7bob]

I'm being taken to an interview room by the SS Field Police. #dday7

[Bob Stoodley @dday7bob]

I've been taken to a chateau 10, 15 or 20 miles away

[Bob Stoodley @dday7bob]

I'm lying on the floor of the truck. I can see through the sides there is a very, very long curving drive.

[Bob Stoodley @dday7bob]

The German SS Field Police came along and are taking me away for interrogation.

[Bob Stoodley @dday7bob]

He off-loaded me, said very little and spoke to the German soldiers here. It's a field dressing station, he's left me here. I'm grateful.

[Bob Stoodley @dday7bob]

The tank commander has turned the tank around so I'm protected by the turret of the tank. I think this has saved me from more wounds.

[Bob Stoodley @dday7bob]

The camouflage net has been rolled up, made like a bed for me, and they have strapped me over that.

[Bob Stoodley @dday7bob]

My face and hands are burnt with the explosion.

[Bob Stoodley @dday7bob]

I was just knocked stupid. My face is burning, my head is very dizzy.

[Bob Stoodley @dday7bob]

The Eureka has detonation equipment inside it. You set it going and it blows ofter 5 seconds. We do it - we won't get away from the Germans.

[Bob Stoodley @dday7bob]

The Germans have brought in some armour.

[Bob Stoodley @dday7bob]

Daylight came early in the morning and we're getting fired on harder and harder.

[Bob Stoodley @dday7bob]

A Pathfinder has found spare ammo the 8th Battalion left. He has a Bren gun: we should be able to keep the Germans at bay for a while.

[Bob Stoodley @dday7bob]

The Germans have moved in, in force, and there are just 4 of us at this time... and we're short of ammunition. #dday7

[Bob Stoodley @dday7bob]

We've lost the support of the 8th Parachute Regiment who have gone off to do the work that they have to do to blow the bridges.