Chatham Community Library will host local author Al Cooke as he presents his book,  Terrorfliegers: How WWII American Airmen Survived German Captivity and POW Trauma, on Saturday, June 15, from 2:00-4:00 pm in the Holmes Family Meeting Room. This program is free and open to the public.

Terrorfliegers is an homage to Cooke's father, Roland, and to the other airmen who contributed to the Allied victory in World War II.  As part of the mission of the 8^th Air Force, and in preparation for the D-Day invasion by Allied forces,  the elder Cooke’s bomber squadron was sent on a mission to attack Germany’s largest producer of twin engine aircraft (Messerschmidts and Fockwulfs). The bomber suffered serious damage from anti -aircraft  fire defending the target.  All  10 members of the crew successfully parachuted out of the airplane and became prisoners of war (POWs).  For the next fifteen months they suffered from cold and insufficient clothing, hunger, and physical abuse.

Local residents will remember the younger Mr. Cooke as a Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent before his retirement in 2013.  His program will include a reading from his book that will be available for purchase. Cooke will inscribe and sign books for individuals at the end of the presentation. 

Residents may visit the libraries’ website www.chathamlibraries.org, or contact the Library at (919) 545-8084 for more information on this and other events and programs.

Members of the media interested in attending/covering this event are asked to please notify Public Information Officer Kara Lusk in advance at 919-542-8258 or kara.lusk@chathamcountync.gov.