(Received from Mark Tronson, 21st July 2008):

‘Boy Parachutist 1943-45’ are the recollections, as if it were yesterday, of post-war migrant Harry Henkel now 82. It tells of his adventures and exploits as a 16 year old Wehrmacht paratrooper during World War II, and afterwards as an English translator working for the American liberators.

Harry Henkel was one of two WWII veterans worshiping each Sunday at the Banora Point Baptist Church (Tweed Heads, NSW), the other (who has since died) had been in the British Army. After his mate Jim died, taking his memories with him, he noticed that other elderly WWII veterans had begun to put pen to paper, he too thought this a possibility.

This was when Mark Tronson, Australian cricket chaplain an author of 23 previous books, entered the story as he too worshiped at Banora Point Baptist Church. One thing led to another and for the first six months of 2008 Harry Henkel told his story to Mark.

Harry Henkel’s father was a Prussian Wehrmacht artillery officer from Halle, 50 kilometres from Potsdam. English was spoken in the family home as Harry’s mother was English. This proved providential for Harry when, at the end of the war the Americans required translators.

Harry Henkel saw action in North Africa, Catania (Sicily), Monte Cassino and the Russian front. Twice he was wounded and hospitalised, nearly executed by his own for ‘technically’ deserting (visiting his mum), and then escaped being shot by the SS just as he turned 19, only days before the end of the war.

Truth is stranger than fiction. He recalls 30 paratroopers crammed into the Junkers 52 when officially it sat 18. Rommel addressed him in the desert. Kesselring spoke to him. The battle scenes are obviously eye-witness accounts, you couldn’t make them up. Tronson says that his New Testament studies provided clues to honest ‘eye-witness’ accounts. It is well known that different eye-witnesses view events with different eyes, and by putting the various accounts together, we can get a more accurate picture of what actually happened.

Harry Henkel’s story had several edits including by retired English teacher Jennifer Hibbard who kindly proof-read it to correct syntax. It was then sent for professional advice to a literary agent and a fellow author who suggested an ‘oral history’ format. Two further months of reworking the book was required. We’re quite sure that some will suggest Harry’s story has elements that are difficult to digest.

YOU, THE READER, BE THE JUDGE.

‘Boy Parachutist 1943-45’ is published by IFH Publishing Co., (Australia), 21 chapters and is an E-Publication with helpful hyperlinks to relevant data throughout the text. The cost of downloading the book is a mere A$9.90 and is available at:

http://www.harryhenkel.hoponline.com.au