This tape describes some of the various positions Cowley held in the war, of which there were a lot.

He describes London during the beginning of the war, whilst he was still in the War Office. He was then moved to Cairo, and spent time in Alexandria. He describes the lead up and aftermath of the battle of El Alamein, including the arrival of Churchill, General Montgomery, General Alexander and his friend, Ian Jacob.

General Montgomery sent Cowley to America to teach in instructional facilities about the war. He describes Miami during this time. When he arrived at Fort Levenworth, they had no idea who he was, or why he was there. So instead of being a teacher, he enrolled as a student. At the time, he was the only British army officer who had graduated from both British and American staff colleges.

He joined General Montgomery in Brussels in 1944, where he helped refugees caught in the crossfire or on battlegrounds. For this he was appointed a Knight of the order of Orange-Nassau.