| The Parachute
Regiment only dates from 1940, but its short
history has more than made up for a late
start. In fact, the first Para unit was
formed by 370 men of No 2 Commando taking the
first full parachute course in 1940.
Volunteers formed 2 and 3 Para Battalions in
1941 and the Parachute Regiment was formally
listed with the Infantry of the Line next
year. The red, or rather moroon, beret also
came in 1942 and the nickname 'Die Rote
Ieufeln' - The Red Devils - from the
Germans for the fierce fighting in Tunisia. (The
term Red Devils does not come from the colour
of the beret but from the fact that the Paras
were always covered in dust, which in Tunisia
is a a very distinct shade of red).
Wartime casualties in Europe alone totalled
3092 killed and 5386 wounded after only three
years of operations. The four day defence of
Arnhem bridge immortalised 2 Para, but it was
not to be one of only three of 18 bns to
survive post-war disbandment. The present
three bns date from 1948: 4th/6th,
5th(Scottish) and 7th Bns were renumbered and
formed into 16th Para Brigade and soon based
at Aldershot. The Brigade fell victim with
its specialist airborne supporting units to
defence cuts in 1977. From 1 Jan 1982 two
Para bns came under 5 Infantry Brigade with a
third always in Northern Ireland.
In coming under the command of 5 Bde the
Pares rediscovered their traditional airborne
role. The Bde was formed for out-of-area
operations and the two Para bns were backed
up by 1/7 Duke of Edinburgh's Own Ghurka
Rifles. The traditional airborne role in NATO
was considered obsolete - with modern air
defence weapons the chances of an airborne
force flying through enemy lines are very
slim. For this reason 3 TA Para bns are part
of NATO's front line infantry forces with a
specific commitment to the defence of West
Germany and Denmark. In the meantime the
regular battalions rotate between Northern
Ireland and 5 Bde.
During the 1956 Suez operation 3 Para
dropped on and took Gamil Airport, Port Said,
and was joined by sea from Cyprus by 2 Para.
Fighting for all 3 bns followed in Aden and
Borneo (SAS roles as well) during 1964-66.
Since 1971 a Para bn has more often than not
been in Northern Ireland, unluckily for 1
Para they were to miss out on the Falklands
due to this commitment.
The Paras are organised as ordinary Army
Infantry bns of 4 rifle, support and HQ
companies. The most distinctive special form
of equipment is the paratrooper's helmet, the
old style in steel and the new in fibre
glass. Also worn is the paratrooper's smock
with elasticated cuffs, tail piece and a
single zip. Shoulder flash colours are red
for 1 Para, blue for 2 Para, and green for 3
Para.
In support are three Territorial Army bns
(4, 10 and 15); 10 Para is the only unit with
direct descent from its World War 2 ancestor.
Training for the airborne role is not as
frequent as most ranks would like, but the
RAF's capability to drop only one bn at a
time is being expanded. A regular soldier
makes 8 jumps (one at night) to earn his
parachute wings worn on his right sleeve.
Many Paras can also boast wings from foreign
airborne forces.
Both Battalions landed at San Carlos on
D-Day. The 2nd Bn fought the Battles of Goose
Green and Wireless Ridge. The 3rd Bn
"tabbed" across East Falkland and
fought the Battle of Mount Longdon.
|
