Neave, Airey Middleton Sheffield
- Date of birth:
- January 23rd, 1916 (Knightsbridge/London, Great Britain)
- Date of death:
- March 30th, 1979 (London, Great Britain)
- Service number:
- 66518
- Nationality:
- British (1801-present, Kingdom)
Biography
Airey Neave was the first British POW to make a 'home run' from Colditz Castle. On his return he joined M.I.9 adopting the code name Saturday. When the War ended, he became assistant secretary of the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg, and had the task of serving indictments on the Nazi war leaders who had survived Hitler.
After the War he turned to politics and, with Harwell in his constituency, he specialised in science and technology. He chaired the All-Party Select Committee on Science and Technology in the House of Commons, and the series of reports that were produced at that time were dominated by his speciality in that field - an ability to balance the need for scientific advance with concern for its effects. From 1963-71 he was a governor of Imperial College, London.
His World War II memoir "They Have Their Exits"was republished by Pen & Sword in 2002 and his classic account of the fall of Calais 'Flames of Calais' was republished in 2003. Another book, Nuremberg, dealt with the part he played there.
Airey Neave's life was tragically cut short by the IRA who assassinated him in 1979 in the car park of the House of Commons when he was one of Margaret Thatcher's closest political allies.
Promotions:
August 1st, 1940: Lieutenant
? Captain (war sub)
April 11th, 1945: Captain
April 16th, 1948 Acting Major
? Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel
1 april 1950:Lieutenant-Colonel
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Mentioned in Dispatches
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Second-Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 1st Searchlight Regiment, 5th Searchlight Brigade, British Expeditionary Force (BEF), British Army
- Awarded on:
- 1942
"This officer was sent with his Troop to assist in the defence of the south-eastern perimeter of Calais during the night of May 26th. He showed great energy, leadership and personal courage and was particulary commended by a senior infantry officer who was commanding a sector of the perimeter."
Originally recommended for a Military Cross but downgraded to a MiD.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 1st Searchlight Regiment, 5th Searchlight Brigade, British Expeditionary Force (BEF), British Army
- Awarded on:
- May 12th, 1942
Citation:
"This officer was captured on the 26th May 1940 In France, but because he was wounded, he was taken to Germany until August. He spent the first six months at Oflag IXA in Hesse, but was later removed to Stalag XXA in Poland, a reprisal camp for Fort Kingston, Canada, where conditions were bad. On the 16th April, 1941, he attempted to escape to Russia but was captured near Warsaw and handed over to the Gestapo. As the result of this attempted escape he was sent to Oflag IVC, a special 'escapers' camp which was guarded by a complete battalion of Germans. Eight months later, Lieutenant Neave made his second escape, this time with a Dutchman, both dresses as German officers. By breaking trough a ceiling they emerged from the Guard house and passed two sentries without arousing suspicion. They travelled to Ulm by train without difficulty, but whilst trying to buy tickets to Engen in the frontier district, they attracted some suspicion and were handed over to the Policie, who, when shown their forged Dutch papers, accompanied them to the Labour Centre where they were supposed to report. Here they succeeded in dodging the police, and as it was now impossible to go by Express, they walked and travelled on local trains to Singen on the Swiss-German Frontier, reaching there at 4.0 a.m. on the 8th of January. Upon arriving,however, they aroused suspicions of both a group of German workmen and a Hitler Jugend patrol, and they were forced to lay up the whole day in bitter weather conditions in a small hut. In the evening they emerged, dressed in workmans clothes, which they had found in the hut, and made their way to the frontier. At about midnight, walking and crawling, they croossed the 200 yards of open space some 40 yards away from the sentries' Frontier barrier, and followed a compass line to Ramsen in Switserland where they were interned."
LG 35556/2072
"This officer was captured on the 26th May 1940 In France, but because he was wounded, he was taken to Germany until August. He spent the first six months at Oflag IXA in Hesse, but was later removed to Stalag XXA in Poland, a reprisal camp for Fort Kingston, Canada, where conditions were bad. On the 16th April, 1941, he attempted to escape to Russia but was captured near Warsaw and handed over to the Gestapo. As the result of this attempted escape he was sent to Oflag IVC, a special 'escapers' camp which was guarded by a complete battalion of Germans. Eight months later, Lieutenant Neave made his second escape, this time with a Dutchman, both dresses as German officers. By breaking trough a ceiling they emerged from the Guard house and passed two sentries without arousing suspicion. They travelled to Ulm by train without difficulty, but whilst trying to buy tickets to Engen in the frontier district, they attracted some suspicion and were handed over to the Policie, who, when shown their forged Dutch papers, accompanied them to the Labour Centre where they were supposed to report. Here they succeeded in dodging the police, and as it was now impossible to go by Express, they walked and travelled on local trains to Singen on the Swiss-German Frontier, reaching there at 4.0 a.m. on the 8th of January. Upon arriving,however, they aroused suspicions of both a group of German workmen and a Hitler Jugend patrol, and they were forced to lay up the whole day in bitter weather conditions in a small hut. In the evening they emerged, dressed in workmans clothes, which they had found in the hut, and made their way to the frontier. At about midnight, walking and crawling, they croossed the 200 yards of open space some 40 yards away from the sentries' Frontier barrier, and followed a compass line to Ramsen in Switserland where they were interned."
LG 35556/2072
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Temporary Major
- Unit:
- I.S.9, Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), Allied Forces
- Awarded on:
- October 18th, 1945
Recommendation:
"Major NEAVE, who escaped froma a German Prisoner of War Camp in January 1942 has since been employed in various intelligence organisations under D.M.I. and S.H.A.E.F.
From June 1942 to January 1944 he was with I.S.9 (U.K.) where his task was to select, train and drop agents on the Continent effecting the return to the U.K. of thousands os Allied personnel. This task called for and infinity of patience and hard work at all hours of the day and night; not only that, but in his dealings with the Allied Intelligence Services the utmost tact was necessary.
A few months before "D" day it was decided that Allied personnel hiding up in towns should be taken out and grouped together in camps in the country. Major NEAVE drew up plan accordingly and arranged for agents to be dropped to implement them. Camps were successfully established behind the enemy lines near CHATEAUDUN And in the ARDENNES.
Almost immediately after the landing on "D" day Major NEAVE, who had now joined I.S.9 (W.E.A.) - a S.H.A.E.F. organisation - proceeded to FRANCE in charge of the operational teams, whose task it was to effect the rescue od personnel who were being sheltered in these camps or elsewhere. He himself personally organises the extrication of those in the CHATEAUDUN camp whereby some 120 personnel were saved.
At a later stage in the campaign it was mainly due to the coordination of plans by Major NEAVE that a considerable number of airborne troops, who had been out off at ARNHEM, were succesfully brought back to the Allied lines.
In planning and carrying out all his many operations Major NEAVE took constant risks, often going ahead of our front line troops to reconnitre and launch local agents. He did his work regardless of danger to himself.
After the capitulation of Germany Major NEAVE returned to the strength of I.S. 9 (U.K.) and took charge of the Awards Bureau in HOLLAND, where he is still employed in rewarding and recompensing the many Dutch agents and helpers who assisted our escapers and evaders.
To Major NEAVE more than to any other single individual can be ascribed the many successful operations, clandestine and otherwise, which resulted in thousands of Allied personnel in Western Europe returning to Allied hands."
LG 37310/5098
WO 373/100/258
"Major NEAVE, who escaped froma a German Prisoner of War Camp in January 1942 has since been employed in various intelligence organisations under D.M.I. and S.H.A.E.F.
From June 1942 to January 1944 he was with I.S.9 (U.K.) where his task was to select, train and drop agents on the Continent effecting the return to the U.K. of thousands os Allied personnel. This task called for and infinity of patience and hard work at all hours of the day and night; not only that, but in his dealings with the Allied Intelligence Services the utmost tact was necessary.
A few months before "D" day it was decided that Allied personnel hiding up in towns should be taken out and grouped together in camps in the country. Major NEAVE drew up plan accordingly and arranged for agents to be dropped to implement them. Camps were successfully established behind the enemy lines near CHATEAUDUN And in the ARDENNES.
Almost immediately after the landing on "D" day Major NEAVE, who had now joined I.S.9 (W.E.A.) - a S.H.A.E.F. organisation - proceeded to FRANCE in charge of the operational teams, whose task it was to effect the rescue od personnel who were being sheltered in these camps or elsewhere. He himself personally organises the extrication of those in the CHATEAUDUN camp whereby some 120 personnel were saved.
At a later stage in the campaign it was mainly due to the coordination of plans by Major NEAVE that a considerable number of airborne troops, who had been out off at ARNHEM, were succesfully brought back to the Allied lines.
In planning and carrying out all his many operations Major NEAVE took constant risks, often going ahead of our front line troops to reconnitre and launch local agents. He did his work regardless of danger to himself.
After the capitulation of Germany Major NEAVE returned to the strength of I.S. 9 (U.K.) and took charge of the Awards Bureau in HOLLAND, where he is still employed in rewarding and recompensing the many Dutch agents and helpers who assisted our escapers and evaders.
To Major NEAVE more than to any other single individual can be ascribed the many successful operations, clandestine and otherwise, which resulted in thousands of Allied personnel in Western Europe returning to Allied hands."
LG 37310/5098
WO 373/100/258
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel
- Unit:
- I.S.9, Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), Allied Forces
- Awarded on:
- June 12th, 1947
Recommendation:
"This officer has been largely responsible for the planning of all rescue operations carried out by IS 9 (WEA) since the arrival in FRANCE on D 2 of the operational teams. In the early days of the invasion he planned several successful short range operations in the American Army Group area, which resulted in the rescuing of a small number of Escapers and Evaders. When the advance of the Allies became general, appreciating the fact that the operational teams were somewhat handicapped in the work by lack of experience, he himself, went forward with the teams in order to ensure that all his plans were efficiently carried out. He, personally took part in a number of rescue operations, amongst others one which resulted in the rescue of some 100 Escapers and Evaders, who were concealed in a camp organised by one of the escape organisations in the CHATEAUDUN area.
His complete disregard of personal danger on these operations in his rapid and efficient appreciation of the changing situation was an inspiration, not only to the teams, but also to the French and Belgian agents working with them.
When the battle once again became static, Major Neave was attached to 30 Corps and later to 2 Canadian Corps in NIJMEGEN area in order to arrange the evacuation of the Airborne survivors in the ARNHEM area. The succesful evacuation of some 120 Evaders from this area was largely due to the preliminary planning by Major Neave, and the efficient communications organised by him.
Later he returned to the United Kingdom in order to re-organise the Dutch Escape Organisations which had suffered serious losses at the hands of the Gestapo. Once again his efforts were higly succesful, and the final liberation of HOLLAND found the whole area covered with an efficient network of escape lines.
During the whole of his period with IS 9 (WEA), he had shown ceasless devotion to duty and has constantly been a source of inspiration to all under his command.
Prior to his service with IS 9 (WEA), Major NEAVE was employed by IS 9 (UK). His job was to select, train and drop agents on the continent to form organisations with which he subsequently got into touch during his operational work. This task called for an infinity of patience and hard work at all hours of the day and night; not only that, but in his dealings with the Allied Intelligence Services the utmost tact had to be displayed. The success which he obtained was amply demonstrated when camps such as those at CHATREAUDUN and inthe ARDENNES were over-run.
The conception of these and the formulating of all the plans connected therewith were his.
To Major NEAVE, can therefore, be ascribed both the planning for hiding up evading service personnel and a large part of the operations which resulted in the release of these men."
LG 37977/2579
Originally recommended for a DSO, changed into an MBE, upgraded to an OBE.
"This officer has been largely responsible for the planning of all rescue operations carried out by IS 9 (WEA) since the arrival in FRANCE on D 2 of the operational teams. In the early days of the invasion he planned several successful short range operations in the American Army Group area, which resulted in the rescuing of a small number of Escapers and Evaders. When the advance of the Allies became general, appreciating the fact that the operational teams were somewhat handicapped in the work by lack of experience, he himself, went forward with the teams in order to ensure that all his plans were efficiently carried out. He, personally took part in a number of rescue operations, amongst others one which resulted in the rescue of some 100 Escapers and Evaders, who were concealed in a camp organised by one of the escape organisations in the CHATEAUDUN area.
His complete disregard of personal danger on these operations in his rapid and efficient appreciation of the changing situation was an inspiration, not only to the teams, but also to the French and Belgian agents working with them.
When the battle once again became static, Major Neave was attached to 30 Corps and later to 2 Canadian Corps in NIJMEGEN area in order to arrange the evacuation of the Airborne survivors in the ARNHEM area. The succesful evacuation of some 120 Evaders from this area was largely due to the preliminary planning by Major Neave, and the efficient communications organised by him.
Later he returned to the United Kingdom in order to re-organise the Dutch Escape Organisations which had suffered serious losses at the hands of the Gestapo. Once again his efforts were higly succesful, and the final liberation of HOLLAND found the whole area covered with an efficient network of escape lines.
During the whole of his period with IS 9 (WEA), he had shown ceasless devotion to duty and has constantly been a source of inspiration to all under his command.
Prior to his service with IS 9 (WEA), Major NEAVE was employed by IS 9 (UK). His job was to select, train and drop agents on the continent to form organisations with which he subsequently got into touch during his operational work. This task called for an infinity of patience and hard work at all hours of the day and night; not only that, but in his dealings with the Allied Intelligence Services the utmost tact had to be displayed. The success which he obtained was amply demonstrated when camps such as those at CHATREAUDUN and inthe ARDENNES were over-run.
The conception of these and the formulating of all the plans connected therewith were his.
To Major NEAVE, can therefore, be ascribed both the planning for hiding up evading service personnel and a large part of the operations which resulted in the release of these men."
LG 37977/2579
Originally recommended for a DSO, changed into an MBE, upgraded to an OBE.
Bronze Star Medal (BSM)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel
- Unit:
- I.S.9, Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), Allied Forces
- Awarded on:
- July 23rd, 1948
Citation:
"Major Airey M.S. Neave, British Army, for meritorious service in connection with military operations, while serving with the various French, Belgian and Dutch Underground organizations in connection with the rescue of Allied Military personnel from enemy hands. Major Neave conducted with marked significance various clandestine activities which contributed immeasurably to the American cause, and his bold and rescourceful planning of complex operations was of great value to the prosecution of the Allied military effort and ultimate defeat of the enemy."
LG 38359/4190
WO 373/148/744
"Major Airey M.S. Neave, British Army, for meritorious service in connection with military operations, while serving with the various French, Belgian and Dutch Underground organizations in connection with the rescue of Allied Military personnel from enemy hands. Major Neave conducted with marked significance various clandestine activities which contributed immeasurably to the American cause, and his bold and rescourceful planning of complex operations was of great value to the prosecution of the Allied military effort and ultimate defeat of the enemy."
LG 38359/4190
WO 373/148/744
Croix de Guerre (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Unit:
- I.S.9, Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), Allied Forces
- Awarded on:
- 1948
"British Officer, prisoner in Germany who succeeded to escape in 1941. While passing France he organised resistance groups which he lead from London. In the course of the Fench campaign as commander of a British infiltrating unit, he was continuously in the line of fire. Officer with remarkable courage, has always been the object of profound admiration by his French comrades."
With Silver Star.
Officier in de Orde van Oranje Nassau (ON.4)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Major
- Unit:
- I.S.9, Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), Allied Forces
With swords.
Sources
- Photo 1: Findagrave
- - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35121 published on the 28 March 1941
- Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35556 published on the 8 May 1942
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37310 published on the 16 October 1945
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37321 published on the 23 October 1945
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37335 published on the 2 November 1945
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37977 published on the 6 June 1947
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 38359 published on the 20 July 1948
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 38911 published on the 16 May 1950.
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 38958 published on the 4 July 1950
- The National Archives
- The Dutch Medals Page
- Airey Neave Trust
- Recommendation for Award for Neave, A M S Rank: Second Lieutenant Award: ... | The National Archives
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