A SHORT HISTORY OF THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT

Paras waiting for a jump during operations in North Africa

On 22 June 1940 Winston Churchill called for the formation of a corps of at least five thousand parachute troops, suitably organized and equipped. A Parachute Training School was formed at Ringway, and No 2 Commando chosen for training in parachute duties. As the scope of training increased, the title of No 2 Commando was first changed to 11 Special Air Service Battalion and then to 1 Parachute Battalion and subsequently 1, 2, & 3 Parachute Battalions of 1 Parachute Brigade, which had been formed under the command of Brigadier RN Gale, OBE MC in the previous month. In October 1941 Major General F A M Browning DSO was ordered to form an Airborne Division. Under his guidance The Parachute Regiment was formally established as a Regiment on 1 August 1942. By the end of the war it comprised 18 Battalions and a number of independent pathfinder units. Not all the Battalions were raised at home; three were formed in India and two in Egypt. The training and dropping of the Parachutists was entrusted to squadrons of 38 and 46 Groups RAF. Their history is closely linked to The Regiment.

Allied Gliders scattered across a Landing Zone in Europe

In 1941, it was found possible to mount an experimental raid in Southern Italy against the Tragino aqueduct in Apulia, Italy. A year later, on 27 February 1942, a successful attack was made by C Company of the 2 Battalion on the German radar station at Bruneval on the coast of France. It was here that the Regiment increased its scope as the technique of Airborne Warfare developed and more resources became available. In North Africa the battalions of the 1 Parachute Brigade were dropped on widely separated objectives, and in the subsequent fighting earned for The Regiment, which now wore the maroon beret, the name of Red Devils bestowed upon it by the enemy. In the attack on Sicily, the same brigade was dropped by night with the task of seizing Primisole Bridge. When 1 and 4 Brigades returned to England before the invasion of Northern France, 2 Independent Parachute Brigade remained and later took part in airborne operations in Italy, Southern France and Greece.

The night of 5/6 June 1944 marked the first divisional airborne operations of the war. It was then that the 6 Airborne Division, which included the 3 and 5 Parachute Brigades, landed in Normandy, France. This Division was commanded by Major General R N Gale OBE MC who had raised it. There followed the famous operation at Arnhem on 17 September 1944 by the 1 Airborne Division, which included the 1 and 4 Parachute Brigades and which, with the 82 and 101 US Airborne Divisions formed the 1 Allied Airborne Corps, which took part in the crossing of the Rhine and the subsequent operations which led to final victory in May 1945.

Paras arrive at El Gamil Airfield during the Suez Campaign

Direct enlistment into The Regiment by other ranks was introduced in 1953. Direct Commissioning of officers was introduced in 1958 although a small proportion continue to be seconded from other regiments.

From 1945 to the 1960s The Regiment served in most theatres, including the Far East, Palestine, Germany and the Middle East, playing a prominent part in Airborne operations at Port Said in 1956.

During the 1960s The Regiment was involved in operations in Cyprus in 1964 (1 Para), Radfan in 1964 (3 Para), Borneo in 1965 (2 Para) and Aden in 1967 (1 Para). Since 1969 all three battalions have served in all parts of Northern Ireland on numerous short and long tours of duty.

From April to June 1982 the 2 and 3 Battalions were involved on Operation Corporate in the South Atlantic. During this conflict on the Falkland Islands, both Battalions played a very important part in the Task Force, in particular at Goose Green, Darwin Hill, Wireless Ridge (2 Para), and Mount Longdon (3 Para). On conclusion of this operation numerous  members of the Regiment were decorated for gallantry, awards included 2 posthumous Victoria Crosses. Since the Falklands War the Regiment has been on numerous operational tours of Northern Ireland, with an almost continual presence in the Province. At times two, and occasionally all three Battalions deployed at the same time. 

Regiment receiving the New Colours

In June 1998 the Regiment was presented with new colours by the Colonel in Chief, HRH The Prince of Wales, at a parade in Aldershot.

In January 1999, the Gurkhas of C Company 2 Para were deployed out of the United Kingdom, to Banja Luka in Bosnia.

In June 1999 1 PARA, reinforced by members 3 PARA deployed to the Yugoslav province of Kosovo as the spearhead of KFOR, the NATO force tasked with enforcing peace.

Ready for anything

The Regimental cap-badge is a set of wings either side of a parachute above which is the crown of the reigning Monarch. Underneath the capbadge is The Regimental motto UTRINQUE PARATUS which means Ready for anything, a sentiment the Regiment has always striven to live up to.

In addition to the capbadge the Regiment can be identified by the Regimental march, Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries. This piece of music can often be heard on the playing list of the Regimental Band, and the Regimental Band will often be seen with the Regimental mascot, a Shetland pony, called Pegasus, at it's head.

The Regimental Colonel in Chief of The Parachute Regiment is HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales. HRH has completed a number of military parachute jumps, thereby earning his wings.

FALKLANDS ISLANDS (Operation Corporate)

The Regimental Sergeant Major of 3 Para greets locals in Port San Carlos

On 2 April 1982 Argentina invaded the Falklands Island Dependencies. With a single company of Royal Marines to defend them, the Islands and South Georgia were quickly overrun. A British task force was rapidly gathered to retake the islands, with its land element centred on 3 Commando Brigade. At this time 3 PARA was the spearhead battalion and became attached to 3 Commando Brigade, leaving UK on 9 April aboard SS Canberra. 2 PARA, the 'In Role battalion' at 5 days notice to move, was also stood to, and departed on 26 April on MV Norland. During the long voyage south, both Battalions carried out intensive training.

3 Commando Brigade went ashore at Ajax bay on the night of 21/22 May. 2 PARA established itself on Sussex Mountain protecting the south of the bridgehead without opposition. 3 PARA landed in the north near Port San Carlos, driving off a small force of around 40 enemy. Over the next week Argentine air attacks against the beachhead, and shipping took place almost daily. On 26 May, 2 PARA were ordered to move south and engage  Argentine operational reserve on the Darwin/Goose Green peninsula. The attack began during the early hours of 28 May with naval and artillery support. By dawn however, the assault had been stalled as a result of strong enemy defensive positions near Darwin. Trying to restart the momentum of the attack, both the CO and Adjutant were killed storming a machine gun post. The assault continued, and by last light the whole peninsula, less the Goose Green Settlement, had been taken, negotiations with the Argentines produced their surrender the next day. Over 1250 prisoners were taken and 256 Argentineans killed. After the battle 2 PARA were placed under the command of 5 Infantry brigade.

Meanwhile, on 27 may, 3 PARA set off on foot by a northern route to capture Teal Inlet, which it succeeded in doing on 29 May, taking some prisoners. On 11 June 2 PARA moved north to rejoin 3 Commando brigade for the final Battle for Port Stanley. In order for this to take place a vital objective which had to be secured was Mount Longdon. This was attacked by 3 PARA during the night of 11/12 June. The enemy were well dug in and prepared, and it was only after 10 hours of bloody fighting that 3 PARA secured their objective. They then held it for 48 hours under intense and accurate artillery fire. A total of 22 paratroopers were killed during this operation. On the night of 13/14 June 2 PARA passed behind 3 PARA and, supported by 3 PARA mortars, attacked another key objective Wireless Ridge. This was secured by first light and shortly afterwards the enemy resistance collapsed. Both battalions followed up and were the first troops to enter Port Stanley.

In all the two battalions suffered 40 dead and 93 wounded. 68 decorations for courageous actions, and service were made to members of the Regiment. These included two Victoria crosses awarded posthumously to Lt Col H Jones VC OBE, and Sgt I McKay VC.