THE LAST BRIDGE BEFORE ARNHEM - Operation Market Garden
by Richard Taylor
A restricted print release commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Operation Market Garden
Ten miles – the distance from Nijmegen to Arnhem where the British 1st Airborne Division was running out of ammunition and fighting for its life. They’d been ordered to capture the bridge over the Rhine and hold it for two days until relieved. A week later they were still waiting.
On paper Field Marshal Montgomery’s plan had seemed simple – a daring airborne operation behind enemy lines to open a route along which an Allied army could advance rapidly north through Holland, outflank the Germans, and push straight into the heart of northern Germany. Codenamed Operation Market Garden the plan involved the U.S. 101st Airborne Division seizing crossings around Eindhoven, whilst the 82nd would do the same at Grave and Nijmegen. Ten miles further north the British 1st Airborne was to secure the bridge over the Rhine at Arnhem. Simultaneously the ground forces of the British XXX Corps would race northwards to link up with the airborne divisions.
But there were flaws. Parts of the road chosen for XXX Corps’ advance were narrow, little more than a causeway across low-lying marshes; breakdowns and blockages would lead to appalling congestion and delay. And then there was greater than expected German resistance; Allied intelligence had failed to spot two elite SS Panzer Divisions refitting nearby. By the time XXX Corps fought their way into Nijmegen it had taken twice as long as planned, and they were still ten miles short of Arnhem where by now the Germans had recaptured the bridge.
It was all too late to save what little remained of 1st Airborne. Only just over 2,000 men out of the 10,000 involved managed to make the perilous withdrawal back across the Rhine; in nine days the rest had either been killed or captured.
To commemorate the heroism of all those who took part in these events, Richard Taylor has created The Last Bridge Before Arnhem, a forceful new drawing depicting XXX Corps as they battle their way towards Arnhem. It’s late in the afternoon of 21 September and after hours of bitter fighting alongside the battle-fatigued 82nd Airborne, the Sherman Firefly tanks of the 2nd Irish Guards finally force their way across the Waal at Nijmegen. Thundering overhead are the C-47s of the 314th Troop Carrier Group carrying the 1st Independent (Polish) Parachute Brigade towards encircled Arnhem.
The Limited Edition
Faithfully reproduced as a Limited Edition print, Richard Taylor’s detailed piece is available having been hand numbered and personally signed by the artist.
The Collector’s Edition
Just FIFTEEN copies are available worldwide that have been mounted to full conservation standards to include a commemorative Operation Market Garden 80th Anniversary Challenge Coin and the ORIGINAL autographs of two highly-regarded veterans who played key roles during the campaign - Commander of the British 2nd Parachute Battalion, 1st Airborne Division and member of the U.S. 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division:
- Major General John Dutton 'Johnny' Frost CB DSO* MC DL
- Lieutenant Colonel James 'Maggie' Megellas
The Collector’s Edition Remarques & Double Remarques
With all components of the Collector’s Edition, each print in these special Remarque Editions has been returned to artist Richard Taylor to hand-craft an original drawing in the lower margin. If you have any particular request, such as specific aircraft markings or airborne insignia, please ask when placing your order and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
Restricted to only TEN single remarques and FIVE larger double remarques, each is created to order and finished in the graphite paint combination that has gained Richard such high international acclaim.
Exclusive to Aces High…
Upgrade your copy to create a completely unique one-off Collector’s Piece – Numbers are VERY limited so contact us urgently to secure yours!
Over many years we’ve been fortunate to know a number of veterans involved in Operation Market Garden and have also managed to source a small number of extremely RARE original autographs that would be perfect for including in the conservation matting.
These include:
- General DWIGHT EISENHOWER Supreme Allied Commander
- Field Marshal BERNARD ‘MONTY’ MONTGOMERY Planned the operation and led the 21st Army Group
- General GEORGE PATTON Commanded the U.S. Third Army
- Rifleman VICTOR GREGG British 1st Airborne Division
- Colonel ED SHAMES U.S. 101st Airborne Division
- Private 1st Class HERB SUERTH U.S. 101st Airborne Division
- Media:
- Lithograph
- Size:
- 20.5 x 16.25 inches
- Release Date:
- 9/2024
Editions that feature original and unique artwork, such as Remarque, Tribute and matted editions, are specifically hand-crafted to order. As a result, our normal delivery policies do not apply to these items but we’ll be sure to update you as soon as your drawing is complete. If you have any particular request for your remarque drawing – such as specific aircraft markings – please ask when placing your order and we will do our best to accommodate.
Framing Service available on this item
Interested in having this item framed? Our expert team are on hand to review your bespoke requirements. Simply tick the framing box at the checkout and we’ll contact you to discuss the best framing choices for your piece plus delivery options. For further information about our framing service click here.
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