A Drop Too Many

By John Frost

Book Overview

At Arnhem, the British 2nd Parachute Regiment held the north end of the key road bridge over the Rhine not for 24 hours for which it was equipped, but for 3 days and 4 nights. Commanded by the author, they beat off repeated armored and infantry assaults by far greater numbers, until forced out of the ruined and burning positions by losses, lack of ammunition, and the failure of the whole Arnhem operation.

Their sacrifice stands as one of the most heroic defenses of all time. General Frost's story is, in effect, that of the battalion. His tale starts with the Iraq Levies and goes on the major airborne operations in which he took part - Bruneval, Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, Arnhem - and continues with his experiences as a prisoner and the reconstruction of the battalion after the German surrender. Though written with modesty and humor, the book is shot through with the fire and determination of the fighting solider, and throws important new light on many controversies, not only those of Arnhem. This book is a major contribution to the literature of the last war.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0850529271
• ISBN13: 9780850529272
• Release Date: March 2003
• Publisher: Pen and Sword
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.3" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

Great

This is one of the best written WW2 memoirs I have read, well written and fast paced. From the French coast to the Tunisian desert, to the fields of Holland, the book is an exciting account of the author's adventures. Definitely recommended.

Excellent!

I hope others interested in World War II history will stumble upon this book like I did.Although brief, A Drop Too Many tells the exploits of Lt-Col. John Frost during World War II. Frost describes how he became one of the first company commanders of the 1st Airborne Division, Britains first parachute unit. He describes, with crisp British precision, about actions in Tunisia, Sicily and France and most importantly his regiment's tragic role in Operation Market Garden. It is here that the book shines, and where Frost's name (as well as the 1st Airborne) will live on forever.A Drop Too Many is an excellent companion to Cornelius Ryan's A Bridge Too Far. I recommend reading Ryan's work first, before A Drop Too Far. This will give unfamiliar readers a view of the "big picture."