The Airborne Division

abdiv

During the Second World War, the Parachute Battalions and Airlanding Battalions of the Division were armed with the Vickers MG. They both used the Vickers Mk I in their MMG Platoons.

Alongside these, the 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron of the Reconnaissance Corps used the Vickers Gas-Operated No 1 Mk I on their jeeps. The 6th Armoured Airborne Reconnaissance Regiment used the Vickers Mk I in a troop later in 1944.

The Divisions were:

Division Parachute Brigades and Battalions Airlanding Brigades and Battalions
1st 1st Parachute Brigade {10 December, 1941, to 22 September, 1942}{07 May, 1943, to 05 May, 1945}{25 August, 1945, to 31 August, 1945}

  • 1 Para Bn {15 September, 1941, to 30 May, 1945}{31 July, 1945, to 31 August, 1945}
  • 2 Para Bn {30 September, 1941, to 08 May, 1945}{31 July, 1945, to 31 August, 1945}
  • 3 Para Bn {01 October, 1941, to 08 May, 1945}
  • 4 Para Bn {01 January, 1942, to 31 July, 1942}
  • 17 Para Bn {14 August, 1945, to 31 August, 1945}2nd Parachute Brigade {30 July, 1942, to 16 November, 1943}
  • 4 Para Bn {01 August, 1942, to 31 August, 1945}
  • 5 (S) Para Bn {01 August, 1942, to 31 August, 1945}
  • 6 (RW) Para Bn {01 August, 1942, to 31 August, 1945}3rd Parachute Brigade {13 November, 1942, to 11 April, 1943}
  • 7 (Lt Inf) Para Bn {07 November, 1942, to 08 August, 1943}
  • 8 (Midland Counties) Para Bn {07 November, 1942, to 31 August, 1945}
  • 9 (Home Counties) Para Bn {05 December, 1942, to 31 August, 1945}4th Parachute Brigade {10 June, 1943, to 09 December, 1944}
  • 10 Para Bn {23 February, 1943, to 30 September, 1944}
  • 156 Para Bn {14 February, 1943, to 30 September, 1944}
  • 11 Para Bn {30 April, 1943, to 20 May, 1943}{07 January, 1944, to 30 September, 1944}
 1st Airlanding Brigade Group {10 December, 1941, to 09 March, 1943}

  • 1 Border {10 December, 1941, to 31 August, 1945}
  • 2 S Staffords {10 December, 1941, to 31 August, 1945}
  • 2 Oxf Bucks {10 December, 1941, to 15 May, 1943}
  • 1 RUR {10 December, 1941, to 15 May, 1943}1st Airlanding Brigade {10 March, 1943, to 31 August, 1945}
  • 1 Border {10 December, 1941, to 31 August, 1945}
  • 2 S Staffords {10 December, 1941, to 31 August, 1945}
  • 2 Oxf Bucks {10 December, 1941, to 15 May, 1943}
  • 1 RUR {10 December, 1941, to 15 May, 1943}
  • 7 KOSB {10 December, 1943, to 31 August, 1945}
6th 3rd Parachute Brigade {15 May, 1943, to 31 August, 1945}

 6th Airlanding Brigade {06 May, 1943, to 31 August, 1945}

  • 2 Oxf Bucks {16 May, 1943, to 31 August, 1945}
  • 1 RUR {16 May, 1943, to 31 August, 1945}
  • 12 Devon {30 July, 1943, to 31 August, 1945}
44th (Indian) 14th Airlanding Brigade {01 November, 1944, to 31 August, 1945}

  • 2 King’s Own {01 November, 1944, to 12 February, 1945}
  • 2 BW {01 November, 1944, to 31 August, 1945}
  • 4 Rajputana Rifles {01 November, 1945, to 31 August, 1945}
  • 6/16 Punjab Regiment {01 April, 1945, to 31 August, 1945}

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