Bidspirit auction | WW2 Arnhem Mjr Gen A

WW2 Arnhem Mjr Gen A Deane Drummons DSO MC signed Operation Colossu Tragino Aqueduct cover. Airborne Forces AC49 1991. During the Second World War, Deane–Drummond served in Europe and in North Africa; he volunteered for Commando duty and was assigned as second–in–command of the force which participated in Operation Colossus, an airborne raid on southern Italy in February 1941. The raid was unsuccessful, with every member of the unit being taken prisoner by Italian forces. After unsuccessful plans in June and July had to be called off, Deane–Drummond managed to escape from captivity in December. After being recaptured near the Swiss border, he was held in an Italian prisoner–of–war camp for several months before being transferred to a hospital in Florence in May 1942. He escaped from there in June and made it to Switzerland. He then was taken to southern France and was picked up by the Royal Navy in mid–July 1942. He received the Military Cross for his successful escape. On his return to England, Deane–Drummond was posted to the newly–formed 1st Airborne Division, and saw service in Operation Market Garden as second–in–command of the divisional signals. He became separated from his unit whilst trying to link up with 1st Parachute Brigade, who were surrounded at the north end of Arnhem Bridge, and along with three other soldiers spent three days trapped in a small room at the back of a German–occupied house. On managing to leave this building, they split up to cross the river; Deane–Drummond successfully swam to the south bank of the Rhine but was almost immediately taken prisoner. The next day, he managed to escape from a group who were being escorted out of Arnhem and spent the next eleven days hiding inside a large cupboard until he felt safe to move. After leaving his hiding place, Deane–Drummond made contact with the Resistance and waited two weeks until he was brought back to British lines as part of Operation Pegasus. He was mentioned in despatches for this second escape and awarded a bar to his Military Cross. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99