Arnhem Umbrella: Major Digby Tatham Warter DSO

Author(s): Neil Thornton 

ISBN: 9781781558829
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£30.00
The definitive biography of the umbrella-wielding Parachute Regiment legend Major Digby Tatham Warter DSO.
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  • With input from Digby’s wife, daughters, relatives and friends

  • Contains a huge amount of previously unknown information

  • Over 200 images, many from Digby’s personal photo albums

  • Includes recollections from those who served with Digby (interviewed by the author)

‘Impeccably researched, with extensive access to the Tatham Warter family archives, Neil Thornton captures the unique spirit and essence of the man admirably. Congratulations.’
Damien Lewis, SAS Band of Brothers

Operation Market Garden was Major Digby Tatham Warter’s first military action. As the officer commanding (OC) of ‘A’ Company, 2 Para, Digby brushed aside German resistance and succeeded in leading his men to the Arnhem road bridge in Holland.

Over the course of the next four days, Digby, a well-known eccentric, enhanced his reputation further by displaying solid leadership and a fearlessness, which left everyone who witnessed it in awe.

Picking up an umbrella and bowler hat from one of the houses, Tatham Warter strolled around the perimeter oblivious to shot and shell, instilling confidence in his men and inspiring them to battle on in the face of overwhelming odds. Wounded and captured at the battle’s end, Digby escaped, linked up with the Dutch Resistance and in the weeks that followed, strutted round the area disguised as a deaf and dumb Dutchman in order to fool the Germans.

Collecting over 100 paratroopers (‘evaders’), Digby forged a plan to lead them through enemy lines to safety. Digby’s post-war years are just as exciting. This is his story.
BOOK ISBN 9781781558829
FORMAT 234 x 156 mm
BINDING Hardback with dust jacket
PAGES 304 pages
PUBLICATION DATE 25 August 2022
TERRITORY UK and Worldwide
ILLUSTRATIONS 196 black-and-white and 40 colour photographs
 

 


Neil Thornton (left) has produced articles on a diverse range of military history and through his extensive research has contributed to an array of military publications. He is an experienced speaker and regularly provides talks and workshops for schools, historical groups and the armed forces. The author also involves himself in a variety of military projects. His first book for Fonthill Media was the critically acclaimed Rorke’s Drift: A New Perspective (2016).

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