"Martin" of Arnhem

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by Paul Pariso, Aug 4, 2010.

  1. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    Hello all,

    Having just finished reading Leo Heaps' two books, "The Grey Goose of Arnhem" and "Escape From Arnhem" I have a question.
    In both books, Heaps mentions a soldier called 'Martin'. This guy was apparently with Heaps for the first few days of the battle and drove him around in a jeep on various missions etc. Does anyone out there have any more details on this bloke?

    All the best.........:)
     
  2. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Only you could come up with such a question:lol: in the hope it will bear friut but knowing this forum anything is possible;)
     
  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    A long shot that may help to narrow things down:

    Do you know his unit? You could search through Geoff's SE with unit, first name and dates of OMG incase he was killed. Whilst it won't confirm him it may give you a lead or two assuming he was killed of course.
     
  4. Philip Reinders

    Philip Reinders Very Senior Member

    Paul

    do you have some salt at home, add that a little to heaps story :)
     
  5. Medic7922

    Medic7922 Senior Member

    This is only a guess, could he be talking about Lt-Col Martin Herford RAMC who was also an escapee from Arnham.
     
  6. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    This is only a guess, could he be talking about Lt-Col Martin Herford RAMC who was also an escapee from Arnham.
    Paul has Herfords book so he could soon check that out.
     
  7. TomTAS

    TomTAS Very Senior Member

    Hi Paul,

    I will look at his MI9 report and see if that as anything to go by... Would have to agree with Philip according to Alan he did like to make things up...

    Cheers
    Tom
    PS Just looked nothing to add only say's Martin...
     
  8. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Found thes references on Pegasus Archives. "Squeezed in between the crates of food and ammunition, the wireless operator squatted with his head phones in position, trying to tune his set. I sat beside our driver, Martin. Maguire's last words to me were, "When you reach the bridge, don't forget to let me know."' And this refers to a Martin but it would seem its is a different Martin to the first passage:unsure:
    'Captain Martin Knottenbelt, a commando and paratrooper of the Netherlands Army who had dropped on the first day, agreed to accompany me. The Battle of Arnhem Archive
     
  9. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    This is only a guess, could he be talking about Lt-Col Martin Herford RAMC who was also an escapee from Arnham.

    Hi Medic,
    No, it wasn't Herford. Herford was part of 163rd Field Ambulance and he crossed the Rhine from the South later in the battle. The fella in the books seems to have been with Heaps from the 17th until about the 22nd and then he just vanishes from the story.
    I've checked all the usual sites, pegasusarchive, airbornesoldier, marketgarden, paradata, SFROH and Geoff's search engine and nothing comes up.
    I have to say though that Philip does have a point about the salt! Heaps seems to have been at every pivotal point of the battle and he 'bumped into' just about every one of the major figures!! Whilst I don't doubt that he did play an important part in Pegasus I, I find the earlier parts of his story 'amazing' to say the least :D.......
    Oh and thanks for the remark Jason, I have to keep you on your toes don't I?? :lol::lol:
     
  10. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Paul you sure do look above your last post;)
     
  11. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    Found thes references on Pegasus Archives. "Squeezed in between the crates of food and ammunition, the wireless operator squatted with his head phones in position, trying to tune his set. I sat beside our driver, Martin. Maguire's last words to me were, "When you reach the bridge, don't forget to let me know."' and this refers to a Martin but it would seem its is a different Martin to the first passage:unsure:
    'Captain Martin Knottenbelt, a commando and paratrooper of the Netherlands Army who had dropped on the first day, agreed to accompany me. The Battle of Arnhem Archive

    Hello Jason,
    You're right, Martin or Maarten Knottenbelt was a member of No.2 Troop, 10 Commando so he's not our man!
    Thanks for looking though....:)
     
  12. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    Hi Paul,

    I will look at his MI9 report and see if that as anything to go by... Would have to agree with Philip according to Alan he did like to make things up...

    Cheers
    Tom
    PS Just looked nothing to add only say's Martin...

    Thanks for that Tom. I guess 'Martin' is going to remain a mystery figure like so many others!

    Oh well, thanks for all your efforts fellas, I guess I'll get back to doing the database! :)
     
  13. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    Paul you sure do look above your last post;)

    Hello Jason,
    I did see the reference you mention when I looked at Marks site but it's almost a direct lift from "The Grey Goose of Arnhem" and as such didn't tell me anything new but thanks anyway :).
    All the best..........
     
  14. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Hello Jason,
    I did see the reference you mention when I looked at Marks site but it's almost a direct lift from "The Grey Goose of Arnhem" and as such didn't tell me anything new but thanks anyway :).
    All the best..........
    I did wonder after I read your post but will keep a look out as I do for any wierd and wonderful new stories of Arnhem reminds me im still waiting to hear back from my Brother ref the RAOC book;)
     

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