Second World War
The Parachute Regiment was formed in 1942 as part of the Army Air Corps. It initially wore the Army Air Corps cap badge before introducing their own.
Parachute Battalions formed the key component of Airborne Divisions. The make-up of a Battalion remained the same, with regards to Vickers usage, even after the Second World War.
Upon completion of their preliminary training, recruits were posted to the Airborne Forces Depot where they received their parachute training and there was also a battle school.
Battalions
1st
Dates | Brigade | Division | Theatres | Battles |
15 September, 1941, to 09 December, 1941 | 1st Parachute Brigade | GHQ Home Forces | United Kingdom | |
10 December, 1941, to 22 September, 1942 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
23 September, 1942, to 01 November, 1942 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Army | United Kingdom | |
01 November, 1942, to 12 November, 1942 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Army | At Sea | |
12 November, 1942, to 06 December, 1942 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Army | North Africa | |
07 December, 1942, to 11 December, 1942 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 5 Corps | North Africa | |
11 December, 1942, to 08 January, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 78 Inf Division | North Africa | |
09 January, 1943, to 11 January, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Army | North Africa | |
11 January, 1943, to 24 January, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | AFHQ | North Africa | |
25 January, 1943, to 28 January, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 5 Corps | North Africa | |
28 January, 1943, to 04 March, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 6 Armd Division | North Africa | |
06 March, 1943, to 15 April, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 46 Inf Division | North Africa | |
15 April, 1943, to 21 April, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 5 Corps | North Africa | |
21 April, 1943, to 06 May, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | AFHQ | North Africa | |
07 May, 1943, to 13 July, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | North Africa | |
13 July, 1943, to 16 July, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | Sicily | |
16 July, 1943, to 19 July, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
19 July, 1943, to 11 September, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | North Africa | |
19 September, 1943, to 13 September, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
13 September, 1943, to 19 November, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | Italy | |
19 November, 1943, to 21 November, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
21 November, 1943, to 28 November, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | North Africa | |
28 November, 1943, to 09 December, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
09 December, 1943, to 17 September, 1944 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
17 September, 1944, to 30 September, 1944 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | NW Europe |
|
30 September, 1944, to 05 May, 1945 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
05 May, 1945, to 08 May, 1945 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Corps | United Kingdom | |
08 May, 1945, to 30 May, 1945 | 1st Parachute Brigade | SHAEF Mission Denmark | NW Europe | |
30 May, 1945, to 31 July, 1945 | Indepedent Command | |||
31 July, 1945, to 24 August, 1945 | 1st Parachute Brigade | WO Control | United Kingdom | |
25 August, 1945, to 31 August, 1945 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom |
The MG Platoon Commander at the time of Operation MARKET GARDEN (September 1944) was Lt. J. Gardiner MiD.
One of the members of the Platoon was Andrew Milbourne.During Operation MARKET GARDEN, he recalls:
I was with the machine-gun platoon, with our guns strapped to our legs, and led No. 1 section aboard the C.47. Being No. 1, my part of the gun was the tripod: No. 2 carried the gun, whilst No. 3 and the remaining numbers the ammunition. What with our personal arms, rations and a mass of other kit, the whole bunch of us must have looked like overburdened Christmas trees. Believe me, we felt like it too. Even to reach for a cigarette was an effort.
The first action of the 1st Bn took place in woods at the junction of Wolfhezerweg and the Amsterdam-Ede Road. He recalls:
‘Shells began to burst amongst us. Yells and whistles filled the air and machine-guns opened fire. I noticed before I hugged the ground that one of the enemy guns was about 200 yards in front and to our left flank. My officer asked if I had seen anything and when I pointed the gun out to him ordered my gun section into action. Grasping the tripod I ran across the road, diving headlong into a very convenient ditch. Cautiously I raised my head looking for a position for my gun. Before having completed my look round No. 2 landed on top of me. “You bloody awkward elephant”, I began to curse, then stopped. A burst of fire was spraying the ditch… Finally I reached my position and slowly spread-eagled the tripod legs. Then, raising it slightly to the required height for a low mounting, I clamped the legs tight. Shuffling round I yelled for No. 2. Slowly he approached us and as he did so I ordered No. 3 to get near enough to supply us with ammunition. At last, after what seemed an age, No. 2 reached my side and mounted the gun… We were swept by withering fire. Dead lay all around, wounded were crying for water. Groans and shrieks of pain filled the air. Time and again they overran our positions and had to be driven out with the bayonet. My gun was never out of action.’
Andrew Milbourne was badly injured, including the loss of both arms and an eye, and became a Prisoner of War. He passed away, aged 86, 2009. He was originally a member of the 2nd Bn., Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.
2nd
Dates | Brigade | Division | Theatres | Battles |
30 September, 1941, to 09 December, 1941 | 1st Parachute Brigade | GHQ Home Forces | United Kingdom | |
10 December, 1941, to 22 September, 1942 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
23 September, 1942, to 01 November, 1942 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Army | United Kingdom | |
01 November, 1942, to 12 November, 1942 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Army | At Sea | |
12 November, 1942, to 06 December, 1942 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Army | North Africa | |
07 December, 1942, to 11 December, 1942 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 5 Corps | North Africa | |
11 December, 1942, to 08 January, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 78 Inf Division | North Africa | |
09 January, 1943, to 11 January, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Army | North Africa | |
11 January, 1943, to 24 January, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | AFHQ | North Africa | |
25 January, 1943, to 28 January, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 5 Corps | North Africa | |
28 January, 1943, to 04 March, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 6 Armd Division | North Africa | |
06 March, 1943, to 15 April, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 46 Inf Division | North Africa | |
15 April, 1943, to 21 April, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 5 Corps | North Africa | |
21 April, 1943, to 06 May, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | AFHQ | North Africa | |
07 May, 1943, to 13 July, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | North Africa | |
13 July, 1943, to 16 July, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | Sicily | |
16 July, 1943, to 19 July, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
19 July, 1943, to 11 September, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | North Africa | |
19 September, 1943, to 13 September, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
13 September, 1943, to 19 November, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | Italy | |
19 November, 1943, to 21 November, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
21 November, 1943, to 28 November, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | North Africa | |
28 November, 1943, to 09 December, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
09 December, 1943, to 17 September, 1944 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
17 September, 1944, to 30 September, 1944 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | NW Europe |
|
30 September, 1944, to 05 May, 1945 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
05 May, 1945, to 08 May, 1945 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Corps | United Kingdom | |
08 May, 1945, to 31 July, 1945 | Indepedent Command | |||
31 July, 1945, to 24 August, 1945 | 1st Parachute Brigade | WO Control | United Kingdom | |
25 August, 1945, to 31 August, 1945 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom |
The MG Platoon Commander at the time of Operation MARKET GARDEN (September 1944) was Lt. J.H.A. Monsell.
3rd
Dates | Brigade | Division | Theatres | Battles |
01 October, 1941, to 09 December, 1941 | 1st Parachute Brigade | GHQ Home Forces | United Kingdom | |
10 December, 1941, to 22 September, 1942 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
23 September, 1942, to 01 November, 1942 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Army | United Kingdom | |
01 November, 1942, to 12 November, 1942 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Army | At Sea | |
12 November, 1942, to 06 December, 1942 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Army | North Africa | |
07 December, 1942, to 11 December, 1942 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 5 Corps | North Africa | |
11 December, 1942, to 08 January, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 78 Inf Division | North Africa | |
09 January, 1943, to 11 January, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Army | North Africa | |
11 January, 1943, to 24 January, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | AFHQ | North Africa | |
25 January, 1943, to 28 January, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 5 Corps | North Africa | |
28 January, 1943, to 04 March, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 6 Armd Division | North Africa | |
06 March, 1943, to 15 April, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 46 Inf Division | North Africa | |
15 April, 1943, to 21 April, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 5 Corps | North Africa | |
21 April, 1943, to 06 May, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | AFHQ | North Africa | |
07 May, 1943, to 13 July, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | North Africa | |
13 July, 1943, to 16 July, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | Sicily | |
16 July, 1943, to 19 July, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
19 July, 1943, to 11 September, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | North Africa | |
19 September, 1943, to 13 September, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
13 September, 1943, to 19 November, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | Italy | |
19 November, 1943, to 21 November, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
21 November, 1943, to 28 November, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | North Africa | |
28 November, 1943, to 09 December, 1943 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
09 December, 1943, to 17 September, 1944 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
17 September, 1944, to 30 September, 1944 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | NW Europe |
|
30 September, 1944, to 05 May, 1945 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
05 May, 1945, to 08 May, 1945 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Corps | United Kingdom | |
08 May, 1945, to 07 August, 1945 | ||||
07 August, 1945, to 31 August, 1945 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom |
The MG Platoon Commander at the time of Operation MARKET GARDEN (September 1944) was Lt. M.J. Dickson.
4th
Dates | Brigade | Division | Theatres | Battles |
01 January, 1942, to 31 July, 1942 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
01 August, 1942, to 13 April, 1943 | 2nd Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
13 April, 1943, to 23 April, 1943 | 2nd Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
23 April, 1943, to 08 September, 1943 | 2nd Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | N Africa | |
08 September, 1943, to 09 September, 1943 | 2nd Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
09 September, 1943, to 28 September, 1943 | 2nd Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | Italy | |
28 September, 1943, to 01 October, 1943 | 2nd Parachute Brigade | 78 Inf Division | Italy | |
02 October, 1943, to 16 November, 1943 | 2nd Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | Italy | |
17 November, 1943, to 02 December, 1943 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 8 Army | Italy | |
03, December 1943, to 15 January, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 2 NZ Division | Italy | |
16 January, 1944, to 25 March, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 8 Ind Inf Division | Italy | |
26 March, 1944, to 03 April, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 13 Corps | Italy | |
04 April, 1944, to 07 April, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 2 NZ Division | Italy | |
08 April, 1944, to 16 April, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 6 Armd Division | Italy | |
17 April, 1944, to 26 May, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 2 NZ Division | Italy |
|
27 May, 1944, to 26 July, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | No. 3 District | Italy | |
27 July, 1944, to 15 August, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 7 US Army | Italy | |
15 August, 1944, to 26 August, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 7 US Army | NW Europe |
|
26 August, 1944, to 29 August, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | AFHQ | At Sea | |
29 August, 1944, to 17 September, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | AFHQ | Italy | |
18 September, 1944, to 06 October, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | Force 140 (3 Corps) | Italy | |
07 October, 1944, to 14 October, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 3 Corps | Italy | |
14 October, 1944, to 03 December, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 3 Corps | Greece | |
04 December, 1944, to 27 January, 1945 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | Arkforce | Greece | |
28 January, 1945, to 01 February, 1945 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | AFHQ | At Sea | |
01 February, 1945, to 16 June, 1945 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | AFHQ | Italy | |
16 June, 1945, to 25 June, 1945 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | AFHQ | At Sea | |
25 June, 1945, to 16 July, 1945 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | AFHQ | United Kingdom | |
16 July, 1945, to 28 August, 1945 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | WO Control | United Kingdom | |
29 August, 1945, to 31 August, 1945 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom |
5th (Scots)
Dates | Brigade | Division | Theatres | Battles |
01 January, 1942, to 31 July, 1942 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
01 August, 1942, to 13 April, 1943 | 2nd Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
13 April, 1943, to 23 April, 1943 | 2nd Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
23 April, 1943, to 08 September, 1943 | 2nd Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | N Africa | |
08 September, 1943, to 09 September, 1943 | 2nd Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
09 September, 1943, to 28 September, 1943 | 2nd Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | Italy | |
28 September, 1943, to 01 October, 1943 | 2nd Parachute Brigade | 78 Inf Division | Italy | |
02 October, 1943, to 16 November, 1943 | 2nd Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | Italy | |
17 November, 1943, to 02 December, 1943 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 8 Army | Italy | |
03, December 1943, to 15 January, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 2 NZ Division | Italy | |
16 January, 1944, to 25 March, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 8 Ind Inf Division | Italy | |
26 March, 1944, to 03 April, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 13 Corps | Italy | |
04 April, 1944, to 07 April, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 2 NZ Division | Italy | |
08 April, 1944, to 16 April, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 6 Armd Division | Italy | |
17 April, 1944, to 26 May, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 2 NZ Division | Italy |
|
27 May, 1944, to 26 July, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | No. 3 District | Italy | |
27 July, 1944, to 15 August, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 7 US Army | Italy | |
15 August, 1944, to 26 August, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 7 US Army | NW Europe |
|
26 August, 1944, to 29 August, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | AFHQ | At Sea | |
29 August, 1944, to 17 September, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | AFHQ | Italy | |
18 September, 1944, to 06 October, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | Force 140 (3 Corps) | Italy | |
07 October, 1944, to 14 October, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 3 Corps | Italy | |
14 October, 1944, to 03 December, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 3 Corps | Greece | |
04 December, 1944, to 27 January, 1945 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | Arkforce | Greece | |
28 January, 1945, to 01 February, 1945 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | AFHQ | At Sea | |
01 February, 1945, to 16 June, 1945 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | AFHQ | Italy | |
16 June, 1945, to 25 June, 1945 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | AFHQ | At Sea | |
25 June, 1945, to 16 July, 1945 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | AFHQ | United Kingdom | |
16 July, 1945, to 28 August, 1945 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | WO Control | United Kingdom | |
29 August, 1945, to 31 August, 1945 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom |

6th (Royal Welch)
Dates | Brigade | Division | Theatres | Battles |
01 January, 1942, to 31 July, 1942 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
01 August, 1942, to 13 April, 1943 | 2nd Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
13 April, 1943, to 23 April, 1943 | 2nd Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
23 April, 1943, to 08 September, 1943 | 2nd Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | N Africa | |
08 September, 1943, to 09 September, 1943 | 2nd Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
09 September, 1943, to 28 September, 1943 | 2nd Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | Italy | |
28 September, 1943, to 01 October, 1943 | 2nd Parachute Brigade | 78 Inf Division | Italy | |
02 October, 1943, to 16 November, 1943 | 2nd Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | Italy | |
17 November, 1943, to 02 December, 1943 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 8 Army | Italy | |
03, December 1943, to 15 January, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 2 NZ Division | Italy | |
16 January, 1944, to 25 March, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 8 Ind Inf Division | Italy | |
26 March, 1944, to 03 April, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 13 Corps | Italy | |
04 April, 1944, to 07 April, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 2 NZ Division | Italy | |
08 April, 1944, to 16 April, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 6 Armd Division | Italy | |
17 April, 1944, to 26 May, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 2 NZ Division | Italy |
|
27 May, 1944, to 26 July, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | No. 3 District | Italy | |
27 July, 1944, to 15 August, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 7 US Army | Italy | |
15 August, 1944, to 26 August, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 7 US Army | NW Europe |
|
26 August, 1944, to 29 August, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | AFHQ | At Sea | |
29 August, 1944, to 17 September, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | AFHQ | Italy | |
18 September, 1944, to 06 October, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | Force 140 (3 Corps) | Italy | |
07 October, 1944, to 14 October, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 3 Corps | Italy | |
14 October, 1944, to 03 December, 1944 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 3 Corps | Greece | |
04 December, 1944, to 27 January, 1945 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | Arkforce | Greece | |
28 January, 1945, to 01 February, 1945 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | AFHQ | At Sea | |
01 February, 1945, to 16 June, 1945 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | AFHQ | Italy | |
16 June, 1945, to 25 June, 1945 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | AFHQ | At Sea | |
25 June, 1945, to 16 July, 1945 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | AFHQ | United Kingdom | |
16 July, 1945, to 28 August, 1945 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | WO Control | United Kingdom | |
29 August, 1945, to 31 August, 1945 | 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade Group | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom |
7th (Light Infantry)
Dates | Brigade | Division | Theatres | Battles |
07 November, 1942, to 12 November, 1943 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | WO Control | United Kingdom | |
13 November, 1942, to 11 April, 1943 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
12 April, 1943, to 14 May, 1943 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | WO Control | United Kingdom | |
15 May, 1943, to 08 August, 1943 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
09 August, 1943, to 05 June, 1944 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
06 June, 1944, to 04 September, 1944 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | NW Europe |
|
05 September, 1944, to 24 December, 1944 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
24 December, 1944, to 26 December, 1944 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
26 December, 1944, to 22 February, 1945 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | NW Europe | |
23 February, 1945, to 24 March, 1945 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
24 March, 1945, to 20 May, 1945 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | NW Europe |
|
20 May, 1945, to 20 July, 1945 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
20 July, 1945, to 28 July, 1945 | 5th Parachute Brigade Group | WO Control | By Air (Bde HQ and some units moved by air and the remainder of the Bde Group by sea. The Group was finally concentrated in India by the middle of August, 1945) | |
28 July, 1945, to 31 August, 1945 | 5th Parachute Brigade Group | GHQ India | India |
The MG Platoon Commander at the time of Operation OVERLORD (June 1944) was Lt. Hill.
8th (Midland Counties)
Dates | Brigade | Division | Theatres | Battles |
07 November, 1942, to 12 November, 1943 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | WO Control | United Kingdom | |
13 November, 1942, to 11 April, 1943 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
12 April, 1943, to 14 May, 1943 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | WO Control | United Kingdom | |
15 May, 1943, to 05 June, 1944 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
06 June, 1944, to 04 September, 1944 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | NW Europe |
|
05 September, 1944, to 24 December, 1944 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
24 December, 1944, to 26 December, 1944 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
26 December, 1944, to 22 February, 1945 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | NW Europe | |
23 February, 1945, to 24 March, 1945 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
24 March, 1945, to 24 May, 1945 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | NW Europe |
|
24 May, 1945, to 31 August, 1945 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom |
9th (Home Counties)
Dates | Brigade | Division | Theatres | Battles |
05 December, 1942, to 11 April, 1943 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
12 April, 1943, to 14 May, 1943 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | WO Control | United Kingdom | |
15 May, 1943, to 05 June, 1944 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
06 June, 1944, to 04 September, 1944 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | NW Europe |
|
05 September, 1944, to 24 December, 1944 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
24 December, 1944, to 26 December, 1944 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
26 December, 1944, to 22 February, 1945 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | NW Europe | |
23 February, 1945, to 24 March, 1945 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
24 March, 1945, to 24 May, 1945 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | NW Europe |
|
24 May, 1945, to 31 August, 1945 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom |
The MG Platoon Commander at the time of Operation OVERLORD (June 1944) was Lt. Dennis Slade.
10th
Dates | Brigade | Division | Theatres | Battles |
23 February, 1943, to 13 March, 1943 | 4th Parachute Brigade | GHQ MEF | Egypt | |
14 March, 1943, to 20 May, 1943 | 4th Parachute Brigade | GHQ MEF | Palestine | |
21 May, 1943, to 25 May, 1943 | 4th Parachute Brigade | GHQ MEF | Egypt | |
25 May, 1943, to 30 May, 1943 | 4th Parachute Brigade | GHQ MEF | At Sea | |
30 May, 1943, to 06 June, 1943 | 4th Parachute Brigade | GHQ MEF | Libya | |
06 June, 1943, to 08 June, 1943 | 4th Parachute Brigade | GHQ MEF | N Africa | |
09 June, 1943 | 4th Parachute Brigade | GHQ MEF | Italy | |
10 June, 1943, to 22 November, 1943 | 4th Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | Italy | |
22 November, 1943, to 10 December, 1943 | 4th Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
10 December, 1943, to 18 September, 1944 | 4th Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
18 September, 1944, to 30 September, 1944 | 4th Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | NW Europe: The Bde suffered heavy casualties in the Arnhem Battle. Details of the Bde were integrated with the 1 Para Bde in return to the United Kingdom. The Bde never functioned again and HQ was finally disbanded on 10 December, 1944. |
|
The MG Platoon Commander at the time of Operation MARKET GARDEN (September 1944) was Lt. H.C.N. Radcliff. He was sadly Killed-in-Action on the 19th September 1944.
11th
Dates | Brigade | Division | Theatres | Battles |
30 April, 1943, to 20 May, 1943 | 4th Parachute Brigade | GHQ MEF | Palestine | |
21 May, 1943, to 25 May, 1943 | Independent Command | |||
07 January, 1944, to 18 September, 1944 | 4th Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
18 September, 1944, to 30 September, 1944 | 4th Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | NW Europe: The Bde suffered heavy casualties in the Arnhem Battle. Details of the Bde were integrated with the 1 Para Bde in return to the United Kingdom. The Bde never functioned again and HQ was finally disbanded on 10 December, 1944. |
|
The MG Platoon Commander at the time of Operation MARKET GARDEN (September 1944) was Lt. J.F. Rogerson. He was sadly Killed-in-Action on the 24th September 1944.
12th (Yorkshire)
Dates | Brigade | Division | Theatres | Battles |
01 June, 1943, to 08 August, 1943 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
09 August, 1943, to 05 June, 1944 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
06 June, 1944, to 04 September, 1944 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | NW Europe |
|
05 September, 1944, to 24 December, 1944 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
24 December, 1944, to 26 December, 1944 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
26 December, 1944, to 22 February, 1945 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | NW Europe | |
23 February, 1945, to 24 March, 1945 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
24 March, 1945, to 20 May, 1945 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | NW Europe |
|
20 May, 1945, to 20 July, 1945 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
20 July, 1945, to 28 July, 1945 | 5th Parachute Brigade Group | WO Control | By Air (Bde HQ and some units moved by air and the remainder of the Bde Group by sea. The Group was finally concentrated in India by the middle of August, 1945) | |
28 July, 1945, to 31 August, 1945 | 5th Parachute Brigade Group | GHQ India | India |

13th (Lancashire) Battalion
Dates | Brigade | Division | Theatres | Battles |
01 June, 1943, to 08 August, 1943 | 3rd Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
09 August, 1943, to 05 June, 1944 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
06 June, 1944, to 04 September, 1944 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | NW Europe |
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05 September, 1944, to 24 December, 1944 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
24 December, 1944, to 26 December, 1944 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
26 December, 1944, to 22 February, 1945 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | NW Europe | |
23 February, 1945, to 24 March, 1945 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
24 March, 1945, to 20 May, 1945 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | NW Europe |
|
20 May, 1945, to 20 July, 1945 | 5th Parachute Brigade | 6 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
20 July, 1945, to 28 July, 1945 | 5th Parachute Brigade Group | WO Control | By Air (Bde HQ and some units moved by air and the remainder of the Bde Group by sea. The Group was finally concentrated in India by the middle of August, 1945) | |
28 July, 1945, to 31 August, 1945 | 5th Parachute Brigade Group | GHQ India | India |
15th Battalion
01 March, 1945 | Formed as 15 (Kings) Para Regt from volunteers of 1 Kings in Rawlpindi under command 77 Ind Inf Bde |
18 June, 1945 | Moved to Bilaspur with Bde |
21 June, 1945 | Designated 15 Para Regt |
16th Battalion
01 March, 1945 | On arrival in Rawalpindi with 77 Ind Inf Bde, 1 S Staffords started to form 16 (Staffords) Para Regt from volunteers |
18 April, 1945 | Assumed title of 16 Para Regt |
16 June, 1945 | Moved to Bilaspur with Bde |
17th Battalion
Dates | Brigade | Division | Theatres | Battles |
14 May, 1945, to 10 July, 1945 | 1st Parachute Brigade | SHAEF Mission Denmark | NW Europe | |
11 July, 1945, to 25 July, 1945 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 8 Corps | NW Europe | |
26 July, 1945, to 29 July, 1945 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 21 Army Group | Nw Europe | |
30 July, 1945 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 21 Army Group | United Kingdom | |
31 July, 1945, to 24 August, 1945 | 1st Parachute Brigade | WO Control | United Kingdom | |
25 August, 1945, to 31 August, 1945 | 1st Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom |
156th Battalion
Dates | Brigade | Division | Theatres | Battles |
14 February, 1943, to 13 March, 1943 | 4th Parachute Brigade | GHQ MEF | Egypt | |
14 March, 1943, to 20 May, 1943 | 4th Parachute Brigade | GHQ MEF | Palestine | |
21 May, 1943, to 25 May, 1943 | 4th Parachute Brigade | GHQ MEF | Egypt | |
25 May, 1943, to 30 May, 1943 | 4th Parachute Brigade | GHQ MEF | At Sea | |
30 May, 1943, to 06 June, 1943 | 4th Parachute Brigade | GHQ MEF | Libya | |
06 June, 1943, to 08 June, 1943 | 4th Parachute Brigade | GHQ MEF | N Africa | |
09 June, 1943 | 4th Parachute Brigade | GHQ MEF | Italy | |
10 June, 1943, to 22 November, 1943 | 4th Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | Italy | |
22 November, 1943, to 10 December, 1943 | 4th Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | At Sea | |
10 December, 1943, to 18 September, 1944 | 4th Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | United Kingdom | |
18 September, 1944, to 30 September, 1944 | 4th Parachute Brigade | 1 Airborne Division | NW Europe: The Bde suffered heavy casualties in the Arnhem Battle. Details of the Bde were integrated with the 1 Para Bde in return to the United Kingdom. The Bde never functioned again and HQ was finally disbanded on 10 December, 1944. |
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The MMG Platoon was formed without warning and preparation on route to Bigerta, to embark for Taranto, Italy (September, 1943).
At the time of Operation MARKET GARDEN (September, 1944), the structure of the MG Platoon was as shown in the organisation chart below.

During the flight to Operation MARKET GARDEN, the whole of No. 2 Section, and the Platoon Sergeant and Platoon Orderley, were on Chalk 619, a Dakota of 52nd Troop Carrer Wing, 314 Troop Carrier Command, US Army Air Force. This plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire over Holland and crash landed approximately 20km south-west of the landing zone. Only one member of the platoon, Pte. Stevens, managed to get out of the plane alive but later died of wounds. All other members of the section were killed as part of the crash or in the fire immediately after. They are now buried in Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Nijmegen and photos of their resting places are shown below.
Post-Second World War

The establishment of Machine Gun Platoons within a Parachute Battalion didn’t change after the Second World War. The Vickers remained in service for many years with the Parachute Battalions.
Sources:
- Christie, 1944b
- Harclerode, 2000
- Hickman, 2006
- Joslen, 1960
- Milbourne, n.d.
- Morris, 1944a
- Reinders, 2005
- Steer, 2002a
- The National Archives, WO 24/950, War Establishments 1944 January to March.
- Van Roekel, 1996