The Grey Goose of Arnhem by Leo Heaps

The Grey Goose of Arnhem by Leo Heaps

An account of heroism and courage in one of the Allies' biggest military catastrophes of the Second World War. Ideal for readers of James Holland, Anthony Beevor and Cornelius Ryan.

Ten thousand Allied troops landed in the Netherlands in September 1944.

This was the largest airborne invasion ever undertaken and it ended in utter disaster.

Eight thousand men were killed, wounded, or captured during the Battle of Arnhem.

Yet, what of those who escaped?

And how did they manage it when surrounded by German troops?

Leo Heaps' remarkable book The Grey Goose of Arnhem charts the activities of two hundred and fifty men who, with the aid of Dutch Resistance, made it back across the Rhine to Allied lines.

As a member of the First Airborne, Heaps draws from his own experiences as a soldier who fought, evaded capture, and then returned to work with the Dutch Resistance, for which he was awarded the Military Cross, as well as using material from private diaries, letters, and interviews with about forty paratroopers and Dutch Resistance leaders to record a thorough account of the most amazing mass escape of World War Two.

These men never gave up in the face of insurmountable odds. Indeed, as Heaps explains, rather than stay within the safety of allied lines, some of these men returned to the frontlines to assist the Resistance and ensure that as many of their comrades returned as possible.

The Grey Goose of Arnhem is a brilliant account of heroism that weaves together the accounts of numerous unforgettable characters to provide insight into what the Battle of Arnhem and its aftermath was like from those who saw it first-hand.

Heaps' narrative of the captures, escapes and evasion (including his own) after the battle is well constructed. ... The tension of the moment is tautly recreated. The conclusion is exciting and rewarding. It is a valuable addition to the record of the gallant First Airborne Division. Infantry Journal

Heaps, Leo: - Leo Heaps was born in Winnipeg, Canada, in 1922, and lived his life in California, England, and finally in Toronto. His early years were in the shadow of his father, a famous Parliamentarian, followed by his service in the British 1st Airborne during World War II, where he was awarded the Military Cross. His post-war exploits took him to the war of Independence in Israel, where he trained members of the Israeli army, and finally to the Hungarian revolution where he he worked with the International Rescue Committee. In civilian life, he had an unbridled passion for adventure, fine artwork, and writing, all of which played important roles in his various published works. An accomplished ocean sailor and tennis player, he always made time for these two pursuits, while still attending obscure auctions, where he uncovered several rare works of art. His various exploits produced life-long relationships with a fascinating array of colleagues from all walks of life, many of them becoming the basis for characters in some of his published works. Leo Heaps died in 1995.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781913518110
ISBN 10	1913518116
Title	The Grey Goose of Arnhem
Author	Leo Heaps
Series	Major Battles Of World War Two
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Sapere Books
Year published	2020-04-06
Number of pages	268
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.