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Machiel van den Heuvel (7 may 1900 - 29 june 1946) was an officer in the Dutch East Indies Army (KNIL) during world war 2 and the Indonesian war of independence following world war 2. He was the dutch escape officer for the dutch POW's in Germany notably Oflag IV-C, Colditz.

Machiel (Jim) van den Heuvel, known as "Vandy" by the british POW's, was a captain in Holland at the outbreak of world war 2 in may 1940. After the dutch capitulation he refused to give his word of honour not to harm German interest and was sent to German POW camps. Here van den Heuvel was quickly appointed as escape officer. Together with lieutenant Gerrit Dames the two KNIL officers were a main factor for most dutch escape successes during the war. Amongst the officers he helped escape were Hans Larive, Francis Steinmetz, Tony Luteyn, C.Giebel and many more.

After the war, machiel van den Heuvel was made major and sent to Java, Indonesia to fight in the Indonesian war of independence or politionele acties. He was a batallion commander when he was killed in action at Padalarang, Java 29 june 1946. He was awarded the bronze cross for his actions.

references 1. http://www.onderscheidingen.nl/decorandi/wo2/dec_h03.html 2. Leo de Hartog: officieren achter prikkeldraad 1940-1945; Hollandia 1983