Barrow saw active service supporting the Allied ground forces, bombing German communication infrastructure positions and airfields over the European theatre. His first sorties included supporting ground forces involved in the Battle for Arnhem. Others included support for ground forces during the Battle of the Bulge. At wars end he was appointed as personal navigator to the Commander in Chief of the British Zone of occupied Germany, Air Chief Marshall Sir William Sholto Douglas. During that period Barrow rose to the rank of Flying Officer. Douglas, who later became chairman of British European Airways, remained close to Barrow and made him Godfather to his only child.