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Explore the index to reveal the campaigns, battles, equipment and organisation key to the Airborne Forces' story.

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DSO Citation for Lt Col Luard, for the Capture of Pont L'Eveque, Normandy, 1944

On the 23rd August, Lieutenant-Colonel Luard, Commanding 13th Parachute Battalion, was ordered to force a crossing over the River Touques and secure a bridgehead on the far bank up to the outskirts

Article

Eulogy to Corporal David Hardman

Corporal David Hardman, the senior corporal of 2 Platoon A Coy 2 Para from 1980 to 1982, came from Hamilton near Glasgow; he was a very intelligent well read, street wise individual who knew how to

Article

Recollections of 1st Air Troop RE

The first Air Troop RE came into being in September 1941 under the command of Captain S Dorman and Lieutenant D Vernon.

Article

No Car for a Prince

It was in December, 1940, that the first airborne demonstration was given to the Army. A small party from No.

Article

A TRIBUTE TO ALISTAIR PEARSON BY MAJ GEN JOHN FROST

COLONEL ALASTAIR PEARSON joined the 2nd Parachute Battalion from the HLI in September, 1941. He acted as Second-in-Command for a short period before taking over a company in the 1st Battalion.

Article

EULOGY TO PETER CLEASBY-THOMPSON BY GORDON COLE

A most beloved benevolent old gentleman, who was always so understanding to both old and young, and always so full of enthusiasm and cheerfulness, has been called to higher office.

Article

BIOGRAPHICAL PROFILE OF PETER CLEASBY-THOMPSON

Peter Cleasby-Thompson was born on 20 July 1913 and attended the Royal Military College as a gentleman cadet.

Article

Victoria Cross Citation for Sergeant Ian McKay

During the night of 11th/12th June 1982, 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment mounted a silent night attack on an enemy battalion position on Mount Longdon, an important objective in the battle for

Article

John Stevenson's Personal Account of fighting in North West Europe during the Second World War.

The 2nd Bucks was a very smart regiment, and there was an air of seriousness everywhere and everyone seemed under pressure all the time.

Article

EULOGY TO GENERAL SIR ANTHONY FARRAR-HOCKLEY

EULOGY TO GENERAL SIR ANTHONY FARRAR HOCKLEY By Lt General Sir Hew Pike, delivered at the Royal Miliary Academy Sandhurst

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1955 UNIT NOTES FROM THE PEGASUS JOURNAL FOR THE INDEPENDENT PARACHUTE SQUADRON / PARACHUTE REGIMENT SQN (22 SAS REGIMENT)

UNIT NOTES FROM THE PEGASUS JOURNAL FOR THE INDEPENDENT PARACHUTE SQUADRON / PARACHUTE REGIMENT SQUADRON (22 SAS REGIMENT) 1955

Article

1956 / 57 UNIT NOTES FROM THE PEGASUS JOURNAL FOR THE INDEPENDENT PARACHUTE SQUADRON / PARACHUTE REGIMENT SQN (22 SAS REGIMENT)

PEGASUS JOURNAL JANUARY 1956

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The Formation of Pathfinder Platoon for 5 Airborne Brigade

Background

Article

Ellis 'Dixie' Dean's experiences of North West Europe during the Second World War.

Lieutenant, later Major Dean MBE MC TD, became the archivist of the 13th Battalion after the war and wrote an unpublished account of their exploits: "13th Battalion The Parachute Regiment: Luar

Article

General Sir Frank King's account of his escape from George Merz's Dakota flying into Arnhem

Our battle began about 10 minutes after we got the 20 minute 'Prepare for action' call from our American crew chief.

Article

DAILY TELEGRAPH OBITUARY FOR SIR JOHN KILLICK GCMG

Sir John Killick, the diplomat who died on Thursday aged 84, served as Head of Chancery in Washington and as Ambassador in Moscow; he could have occupied with distinction almost any of the top appo

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GENERAL SIR FRANK KING'S ACCOUNT OF CAPTURE AND LIFE IN A GERMAN PRISONER OF WAR CAMP

When I left the Old Vicarage I had no clear idea of where I might go. Despite Kate ter Horst' s kindness and calm I had a great urge to escape from her house.

Article

The Sinking of HMS Abdiel September 1943

The Sinking of HMS Abdiel - 9th/10th Sept 1943 by Cliff Meredith (then Platoon Sergeant of 12 Platoon, C Coy 6th (Royal Welch) Parachute Battalion)

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Account and Diary of Pte E Short, Captured at Arnhem, Detailing His Time in a PoW Camp

In April 1940, aged 20, I received notification from the War Office that I was to report to Bedford Army Barracks to start Army service.

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History of 63 Company, RASC

Following removal from the command of 61 Infantry Brigade in October 1943, 63 Divisional Airborne Composite Company RASC was moved to Figsbury Barracks Winte

Article

An account of events at the HMIS Hindustan incident 22 February 1946

By Captain John Marshall, OC ‘C’ Troop, 554 Battery, 159 Para Lt Regt RA

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87 Airborne Field Regiment RA in Palestine 1947 to 1948 Part I

By Brigadier Arthur Sisson CBE

Article

87 Airborne Field Regiment RA in Palestine 1947 to 1948 Part II

Part 1 of Brigadier Sisson’s story ended with the “trial” and execution of two British sergeants by the IZL close to 87 Regiment’s lines - a grim milestone in this campaign described by Winston

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Citation for the award of the CBE to Brigadier Arthur Sisson

Brigadier Sisson has been closely involved with the Quarter-Master-General’s plans for the restructuring of the Department and the Q Services since October 1974, first as Secretary of the Somervill

Article

Citation for the award of the MBE to Major Arthur Sisson

Major Sisson has been engaged for the last fourteen months on world wide forward logistic planning.

Article

British Empire Medal Citation for CQMS Pete Smurthwaite 1965

C/Sgt Smurthwaite has been employed as the Quartermaster Sergeant of this Independent Unit during the past twelve months during which time the Company has completed two operational tours abroad.

Article

The History and Demise of the Denison Smock

Apart from the maroon beret the identifying symbol for Airborne Forces for many years was the Denison Smock. Its replacement with the standard Disruptive Pattern (DPM)

Article

Eulogies to Sapper Dave Watson

Sapper David Watson's family made this statement:

Article

16 Para Brigade's Air Contact Teams

When 16th Independent Parachute Brigade Group was sent to Cyprus in preparation for the Suez operation (Op Musketeer), it was realised that 33rd Parachute Field Regiment would not be able to provid

Article

Abridged memoir of Sgt AR Parsons on his transfer to and training with 151 Parachute Battalion, India, 1942

This is an abridged extract of my father’s memoirs. By 1941 my father had already been in India for 6 years, having arrived in Karachi as a boy soldier aged 15years.

Article

Comments on Dennis Deane-Daniels

Heide and I visited Arnhem and the airborne division cemetery on Thursday 3 September.

Article

Daily Telegraph Article on the Award of the George Medal to Private Bell

George Medal for paratrooper who risked life in minefield to rescue wounded comrade.

Article

Account of Capt John Wagstaff, 225 PFA, Normandy, 6 June 1944

Account of Capt Wagstaff, 225 PFA, Normandy, 6 June 1944

Article

Lance Corporal Tarbin's account of Operation Musketeer.

I was a recalled reservist, back in Support Company 2 Para.

Article

EXTENDED BIOGRAPHY OF MAJOR JOHN STEVENSON MBE DCM

John Stevenson was born in County Antrim, Northern Ireland in 1918.

Article

Detailed service history of Alan Wyatt

15.3.45 Enlisted No 98 Primary Training Centre, Pollington nr Snaith, Yorkshire. 16.5.45 C19B Transit Camp Southampton Common overnight.

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Life in a Balloon Crew

"When I first found I was to be posted to the Parachute Balloon Training Company, all manner of thoughts entered my mind about the type of work I should be expected to do.

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Some experiences of a Balloon Crew Detachment Commander

I have never managed to find out why I was posted to R.A.F.

Article

Daily Telegraph article on Cpl Miskella's actions which led to the award of an MC

Daily Telegraph 3 October 2011 A soldier who carried a wounded comrade on his shoulder to safety while under withering fire has been awarded the Military Cross.

Article

DAILY TELEGRAPH OBITUARY FOR DONALD FLETCHER

Brigadier Donald Fletcher, who has died aged 87, was awarded a Military Cross in Burma in 1945 for rescuing wounded comrades under fire.

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DSO Citation for Lt Col Luard, for the Capture of Pont L'Eveque, Normandy, 1944

Eulogy to Corporal David Hardman

Recollections of 1st Air Troop RE

No Car for a Prince

A TRIBUTE TO ALISTAIR PEARSON BY MAJ GEN JOHN FROST

EULOGY TO PETER CLEASBY-THOMPSON BY GORDON COLE

BIOGRAPHICAL PROFILE OF PETER CLEASBY-THOMPSON

Victoria Cross Citation for Sergeant Ian McKay

John Stevenson's Personal Account of fighting in North West Europe during the Second World War.

EULOGY TO GENERAL SIR ANTHONY FARRAR-HOCKLEY

1955 UNIT NOTES FROM THE PEGASUS JOURNAL FOR THE INDEPENDENT PARACHUTE SQUADRON / PARACHUTE REGIMENT SQN (22 SAS REGIMENT)

1956 / 57 UNIT NOTES FROM THE PEGASUS JOURNAL FOR THE INDEPENDENT PARACHUTE SQUADRON / PARACHUTE REGIMENT SQN (22 SAS REGIMENT)

The Formation of Pathfinder Platoon for 5 Airborne Brigade

Ellis 'Dixie' Dean's experiences of North West Europe during the Second World War.

General Sir Frank King's account of his escape from George Merz's Dakota flying into Arnhem

DAILY TELEGRAPH OBITUARY FOR SIR JOHN KILLICK GCMG

GENERAL SIR FRANK KING'S ACCOUNT OF CAPTURE AND LIFE IN A GERMAN PRISONER OF WAR CAMP

The Sinking of HMS Abdiel September 1943

Account and Diary of Pte E Short, Captured at Arnhem, Detailing His Time in a PoW Camp

History of 63 Company, RASC

An account of events at the HMIS Hindustan incident 22 February 1946

87 Airborne Field Regiment RA in Palestine 1947 to 1948 Part I

87 Airborne Field Regiment RA in Palestine 1947 to 1948 Part II

Citation for the award of the CBE to Brigadier Arthur Sisson

Citation for the award of the MBE to Major Arthur Sisson

British Empire Medal Citation for CQMS Pete Smurthwaite 1965

The History and Demise of the Denison Smock

Eulogies to Sapper Dave Watson

16 Para Brigade's Air Contact Teams

Abridged memoir of Sgt AR Parsons on his transfer to and training with 151 Parachute Battalion, India, 1942

Comments on Dennis Deane-Daniels

Daily Telegraph Article on the Award of the George Medal to Private Bell

Account of Capt John Wagstaff, 225 PFA, Normandy, 6 June 1944

Lance Corporal Tarbin's account of Operation Musketeer.

EXTENDED BIOGRAPHY OF MAJOR JOHN STEVENSON MBE DCM

Detailed service history of Alan Wyatt

Life in a Balloon Crew

Some experiences of a Balloon Crew Detachment Commander

Daily Telegraph article on Cpl Miskella's actions which led to the award of an MC

DAILY TELEGRAPH OBITUARY FOR DONALD FLETCHER

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