MAJOR GENERAL JOHN FROST AUTOGRAPH … FROM ACES HIGH GALLERY, JUST 199 TICKETS

A BRIDGE TOO FAR… ‘BRING UP THE PIAT’

Add this to your collection, a signature from the legend of Arnhem – Major-General John FROST CD, DSO and Bar, MC (1912-1993). Major-General John Dutton Frost (1912–1993) was a renowned British airborne forces officer, best known for leading the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment to capture the Arnhem bridge during Operation Market Garden in 1944. Known for his calm demeanour, strategic focus, and “mystical magic” as a leader, he is famously depicted in the film  A Bridge Too Far – “We hold the north end of the bridge, Germans hold the south. But now they probably control most of the town… So, what you’re saying is that we’re surrounded? Yes, something like that.”

On 17 September 1944, as commander of the 2nd Parachute Battalion, Frost led a mixed force of around 745 lightly armed men who landed near Oosterbeek and advanced into Arnhem. The battalion succeeded in reaching the bridge and securing its northern end, but Frost soon found his force isolated. Units of the II SS Panzer Corps had surrounded the position, cutting the battalion off from the rest of the 1st Airborne Division.

Frost commanded the defence during the brutal four day battle that followed. German forces subjected the paratroopers to relentless artillery bombardment and repeated attacks by tanks and infantry, producing some of the fiercest fighting experienced by either side, with little quarter given. The Germans were repeatedly surprised by the airborne troops’ refusal to surrender and by their aggressive counter attacks, despite dwindling resources.

On the third day, a brief truce allowed approximately 250 wounded men to be evacuated, after which the fighting resumed with undiminished intensity. By the end, the surviving paratroopers had exhausted their ammunition and only around one hundred men remained capable of resistance. The Battle of Arnhem later became one of the most famous engagements of the campaign and was popularised by the 1977 film A Bridge Too Far. The bridge itself is now known as the John Frost Bridge in recognition of his leadership.

After his capture, Frost was held as a prisoner of war at Oflag IX A H in Spangenberg Castle, before being transferred to a hospital at Obermassfeldt. He was liberated in March 1945 when the area was overrun by American forces.

On 20 September 1945, Frost was awarded a bar to his Distinguished Service Order in recognition of his outstanding leadership at Arnhem.

He was played by actor Sir Anthony Hopkins in the film A Bridge Too Far.

Supplied to us by our friends from world famous Aces High Aviation Gallery

Unframed and Size – 15 x 9 inches/381 × 229 millimetres.