I've been reading the part in his book, `The Grey Goose of Arnhem', about the Pegasus operations and I am starting to question a bunch of things. For one he mentioned that they US officer that was killed was Lt. Dixon, where in fact we know that it was Lt. Wilcombe. Now, I can forgive an error or two, but it makes me doubt the whole thing. Has this been corrected in his other book, The Evaders? What is the general opinion about him and his books?
It is worth reading Leo Heaps' original Escape and Evasion interview by IS9 where his escape was initially graded by the interrogator at Level 1. Certain events that he describes are certainly questionable. However after interviewing Sgt Alan Kettley, from the Glider Pilot Regiment, who had evaded with him the interrogator realised (and recorded) that Heaps was prone to exaggeration and that Kettley was probably the leader of the two. Heaps' escape was therefore downgraded to level 3. Escape from Arnhem was Heaps' first book, published in 1945. "The Grey Goose of Arnhem" was a revision of this book for which many of the Dutch helpers had been contacted and were named, and was published in 1976, I think "The Evaders" was the American version of this book. Unfortunately a lot of the incorrect information contained in the Grey Goose of Arnhem was sadly picked up and used by Airey Neave in his books "The Escape Room" and "Saturday at MI9" thus adding credibility to a lot of the questionable facts in Heaps' story.
With such an unfavourable report then it is confusing that he was asked to join MI9 and was present at Pegasus II. Or was he? I have found no record in any of the 23rd Field Company's records that Leo Heaps was present for Pegasus II. If he wasn't then that would be a little more than just an exaggeration, it would be an out and out lie. His book reads more like an novel than an account. It reminds me of Stainforth's novel where the hero is everywhere doing everything. Fortunately it doesn't claim to be anything other than a novel. Re: Heaps, it wouldn't be the first time that an author and publisher tried to pass off a novel as fact.
I think that it was Urquhart's decision that Heaps, Kettley and, a short while later, Ron Adams from 156 Para, be attached to IS9 to help bring back the remaining Airborne soldiers trapped north of the river as they all had recent first hand experience of the conditions that the evaders were experiencing and had been recommended by Sadi Kirschen. They then remained with IS9 when they later moved their operations to the Biesbosch to continue to bring back evaders and infiltrate line crossers and equipment. In his private papers Adams also makes some most unfavourable comments regarding Heaps. As regards Pegasus 2 I believe that Heaps was there and this is confirmed by Airey Neave. Some of the detailed information about the wounded paratroop Sergeant that Heaps described in his book enabled me to make a positive identification of this person that Douglas Wilcombe (Dixon in Heaps/Neave books) set out to rescue.
Thanks John. Care to share who the mystery Sergeant was? I looked in Urquhart's book and he doesn't mention assigning those men. It doesn't mean that he didn't, it just means that we can't prove it. Too bad.
John The Sergeant was Sgt William Stone from 11 Para. Heap's description of his injured hand fitted exactly with other reports that I have from another 11 Para soldier who was with Stone on the DZ, when he was wounded, and also with him right up to the the time that they became separated near the riverbank on Operation Pegasus 2. As regards Heaps being employed on IS9 duties you should remember that he was joining the same unit that had interviewed him after his own escape just a short while previously. As such his tendency to exaggerate was already well known to them. Speaking of Pegasus 2 in his book "Saturday at MI9" Airey Neave states (p296) "I still had with me, besides Hugh Fraser, Leo Heaps and several excellent SAS and 1st Airborne officers seconded to IS9". Given the acute shortage of officers in the 1st Airborne Division following Arnhem these officers could only have been seconded to IS9 with Urquhart's knowledge and agreement.
I served with Tex Banwell (Ten Para TA post war.) Leo Heaps fellow escapee. Tex said that the outline of the escape was pretty much as related apart from minor details, but that Leo Heaps was very much the follower of himself and Kettley and not the leader and instigator.
I like what Roy Urquhart said in his book about him. He referred to him as `freelance'. I laughed when I read that because I sensed that the general wanted to get rid of him. This he seemed to do after Pegasus I. From what I've learned of Mr. Heaps, for good or bad, he certainly followed his own path. This was beneficial in the charity work that he did after the war.
It was probably this "maverick" attitude that made him fit in so well with the other officers in IS9 and probably why people like John Cronyn, who as you will be aware was poached from 23rd RCE to work on their boat section, were selected to work with them.
John, Get 'em Out, by Cees Haverhoek mentions Heaps being involved in Pegasus II ( very short though). http://www.market-garden.info/html-books/get-em-out.html The book is in Dutch, but from p. 229: ' A tall American lieutenant, named Dixon, volunteered to take a soldier in a boat across the river. He got a walkie-talkie, and after a short time he reported to Heaps, he had found two men, a parachutist and a pilot.' Shortly afterwarrds the radio kept silent. This is the only mentioning of Heaps wrt Pegasus II. There is no reference or footnote where the information is coming from. So this must be Heaps own information . So no other information / source is mentioned to supporting his presence. The book looked well researched.... R.
zzwkwetal I was introduced to Cees Haverhoek, at the end of the annual Pegasus walk, a couple of years ago and had a lengthy chat with him about some of the information in his book as there were some documents that he referred to, quoting UK National Archive references, that I had been unable to trace. He couldn't recall the source of the specific documents and told me that most of his research had been conducted at Ede Archives, his home town in Holland. Even a visit there failed to identify those documents. Accordingly I would agree with John S that the information about Heaps almost certainly came from his book "The Grey Goose of Arnhem". I am afraid that Loek Caspers, who was one of those that took General Hackett back across the Rhine, and is the Secretary of the Dutch Resistance Association, was also rather dismissive of Haverhoek's book citing many inaccuracies concerning her activities relating to Hackett - so maybe not that well researched !!
As said the mentioning of Dixon and no other references would imply it was taken from Heaps book and no other source to back this up.
Leo's brother David appears to have been more genuinely the real deal. HEAPS, David, Lieutenant - Military Cross - RCA (2 Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment) - In Support of the RHLI CITATION Military Cross Awarded as per Canada Gazette and CARO/5677, both dated 12 May 1945. Recommended for immediate award on 26 February 1945 by Lieutenant-Colonel H.E. Murray; document at Brigade Headquarters level, 26-27 February 1945; with Headquarters, 2 Canadian Infantry Division, 28 February to 12 March 1945 (supported by Brigadier F.C. Lace, Commander, Royal Artillery for the division, and by Major-General A. Bruce Matthews); with Headquarters, 2 Canadian Corps, 12-21 March 1945 (approved by Lieutenant-General G.G. Simonds); with Headquarters, First Canadian Army, 22 March to 1 April 1945 (supported by General H.D.G. Crerar). NARRATIVE Near The Goch-Calcar Road Operation Veritable On 20 February 1945, "C" Troop, 18 Canadian Anti-Tank Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery, was in support of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry battalion in the Louisendorf sector, astride the Calcar-Goch road. At approximately 1430 hours the enemy launched a strong tank and infantry counter-attack against the right flank of the position. Lieutenant D. Heaps, "C" Troop Commander, under very heavy enemy small arms, mortar and shell fire, personally went forward with two 17-pounder self-propelled anti-tank guns to engage the enemy tanks. Due to the excellent positions he selected, three enemy Panther tanks were destroyed with four rounds and the enemy immediately withdrew. Later, at 1515 hours in response to information that a fourth enemy tank had come into position among the three derelict tanks, Lieutenant Heaps went forward to establish its position. He then directed his third gun to its fire position, fired two rounds which set the tank on fire, and then quickly moved his own gun to a new covering position in time to prevent damage and casualties from shells fired by the enemy tank until its crew were forced to abandon it. At 1800 hours the same day the enemy struck again, this time on the left flank of the position, employing strong forces of infantry and tanks. Lieutenant Heaps, in the face of the enemy and under heavy fire, personally directed two of his guns to their fire positions. Again, the enemy suffered heavily, losing three more tanks before being forced to withdraw their infantry with heavy casualties. Throughout both actions, the Troop Commander demonstrated keen judgment and knowledge of counter-action necessary and exercised absolute control on the employment of his guns. His leadership, complete disregard for danger and resourcefulness were responsible for the retention of a vital position and caused severe casualties to the enemy. His gallantry contributed an outstanding measure to the success of the operation and his example was an inspiration to all ranks in furthering the subsequent advance. Seven German tanks were credited to the 18th Canadian Anti-Tank Battery's "C" Troop during this action. Stolpi makes reference to this event as well in his excellent Veritable thread.
Horsapassenger, are you still in touch with Cees Haverhoek? I'd like to contact him as well. Regards, André
Hi, my grandfather spent much of this time as Leo Heaps’ interpreter (Dutch resistance as a ‘Uniformed Civilian’) riding around together in their jeep carrying out reconnaissance. I’m told he is mentioned in one of Heaps’ books but I’m not sure if he would be called Anthony Knipping, Tony, Mr Knipping or Keating (false Irish sounding name) , perhaps just the ‘Dutchman’. My grandfather had countless stories of the things they got up to and I would have thought some of it made it into his memoirs. I could have a look for them if you think it would help with any of your questions? Best, Toby
Toby There were a number of Dutch people working with IS9 both during the war and, after the end of hostilities, when the Awards Bureau was formed. I’d love to hear more about your grandfather’s time with them. Was he based at Wassenaar?
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www..../breakfast-at-tiffanys-try-winsen-2184151.amp this article gives a very brief overview of his involvement. I would have to look through his memoirs for details . (Most of the stories he told me when I was about 9 years old) . I’ll have a look through and see what may be of interest. It may take a little while as it Is long, unedited, mixed with the love stories of how he met is wife and was all written in a race against time as he was becoming increasingly blind as he wrote it! I do know that he spoke of Heaps so often that it feels like he is a family member that I have never met!
