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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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Arnhem (Operation Market Garden)

1st Allied Airborne Corps, which included the American 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, was tasked to secure the main canal and river crossings between Eindhoven and Arnhem.

Event

Ardennes

After the Allied landings in Normandy and subsequent advance through France and Belgium, the German Army had succeeded in stalling the Allied offensive along their line of defence at the German border - the ‘Siegfried Line’.

Event

Norway (Operation Doomsday)

Maj Gen Urquhart received his orders in the midst of a Division reorganization.

Event

Far East

The 5th Parachute Brigade was sent to the Far East in preparation for a potential invasion of Japan. However, only the advance elements of the Brigade had reached the Far East prior to the Japanese surrender.

Event

Palestine

Arab intransigence over the surge of Jewish immigration that followed the Holocaust in Europe led to the forming of extreme dissident Zionist groups such as IZL (Irgun Zwai Leumi) and the Stern Gang, all seeking to promote their aims through violence.

Event

Canal Zone Egypt

This had followed tension in Persia after British alarm at the nationalisation of its oil industry and fears for the safety of British nationals. The Brigade deployed to Cyprus in June aboard the Aircraft Carriers HMS Triumph and Warrior, the situation proving to be a false alarm.

Event

Malaya

The ‘Emergency’ was the unofficial war conducted against Communist infiltration into Malaya between 1948 and 1956. Jungle areas were dominated by Communist Terrorists ‘CTs’ who press-ganged the local Aboriginal tribes for labour.

Event

Cyprus (EOKA Campaign)

A continual round of village cordon and search operations, road blocks, curfews, law enforcement and riot control followed. Operations were directed against terrorist enclaves in the Kyrenian and Troodos Mountains and the Paphos Forest.

Event

Jordan

An appeal for assistance from King Hussein saw the Brigade, less the 1st Battalion, flown into Amman to secure the airfield and bolster the King’s authority. They remained until October 29th returning to Cyprus and then England. Rapid action to a trouble spot had averted probable hostilities in

Event

Persian Gulf

Within five days of the Emir’s request 8,000 British troops had deployed to Kuwait including the carrier HMS Bulwark and a naval task force with the Aircraft Carrier HMS Victorious positioned in the Gulf. Iraq was deterred.

Event

British Guiana

With a population from various ethic backgrounds. The Indians supported the Socialist People’s National congress while the Africans backed the communist inspired People’s National congress. Despite underlying tension the situation remained calm during the battalion four-month tour.

Event

Anguilla (Operation Sheepskin)

Civil strife led to armed insurrection and as the Island was a British Colony. 2 PARA was despatched with 120 members of London’s Metropolitan Police to restore order.

Event

Northern Ireland (Operation Banner)

A brief honeymoon as peace keepers between two warring communities locked in civil unrest descended into a virtual civil war between Republican IRA and Protestant para-military groups during the Northern Ireland ‘Troubles’ that were to last 37 years.

Event

Hong Kong

The emergency deployment was authorised in order to provide the resident Gurkha battalion with some much-needed respite, and 1 PARA arrived at Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong on 3 February 1980 in bitter cold.

Event

Falklands (Operation Corporate)

On 2nd April 1982 Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, a British Territory in the South Atlantic, followed the next day by an assault on South Georgia. The defending Royal Marines detachment at both locations were taken prisoner after fierce firefights.

Event

Rwanda (Operation Gabriel)

On 30 July, after only 5 days preparation in Aldershot, the advance elements of the contingent, under the command of CO 5 Airborne Brigade Logistic Battalion arrived at Kigali airport on the outskirts of the capital.

Event

Kosovo (Operation Agricola)

On 6th June the 1 PARA group reinforced by 125 men from 3 PARA was deployed in Macedonia under 5 Airborne Brigade to spearhead a forced entry by the NATO KFOR Peacekeeping Force. The aim was to clear any pockets of hard-line resistance that might impede the negotiated Serb Army withdrawal.

Event

Sierra Leone (Operations Palliser and Barras)

The United Nations Mission troops in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) were under strength and of insufficient quality to face down rebel forces intent on encroaching the capital. The 1 PARA battle group with D COY 2 PARA was in place, within 64 hours of receiving the first telephone call.

Event

Macedonia (Operation Bessemer)

HQ 16 Air Asslt Bde became HQ Task Force Harvest with a multinational force of 15 nations under command. Their mission was to deploy to collect and dispose of NLA weapons and ammunition in order to restore stability in the FYROM.

Event

Norway (Operation Freshman)

Quite early in the war the Germans were known to be working towards the production of an atomic bomb; it was thought they had made considerable progress in the production of Heavy Water, an essential component.

Event

Iraq (Operation Telic)

This was the first time the brigade had deployed complete on an operation since its inception in September 1999.

Event

Afghanistan (Operation Herrick IV)

‘Hot spot’ battle areas were around the towns of Now Zad, Musa Qala, Sangin and Gereshk. Fighting might last six to eight hours with paratroopers operating with 70lbs of ‘fighting order’ in temperatures of up to 50 degrees centigrade.

Event

Afghanistan (Operation Herrick VIII)

2 PARA operated as Battle Group North operating from five Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in the Upper Sangin Valley. These were situated in the area of the ‘Green Zone’ fertile farmland stretching one kilometre either side of the Helmand River.

Event

Formation and Early Airborne Forces

On the 22nd June 1940, Winston Churchill sent a letter to General Ismay requesting a corps of at least 5000 troops.

Event

Afghanistan (Operation Fingal)

After 11 September, and much political and military indecision, 2 PARA and supporting elements from 16 Air Assault Brigade started to deploy to Afghanistan on 30 December on Op FINGAL, as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

Event

Afghanistan (Operation Herrick XIII)

To mark the change, which signified the start of Operation HERRICK 13, a 'friendship feast' was held at the headquarters of the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Lashkar Gah, which was attended by Afghan and British dignitaries.

Event

Malay Peninsular

Service on operations in Malaysia and surrounding waters was recognised by the institution of a separate campaign clasp 'Malay Peninsula' for the General Service Medal. The qualifying period was 30 days service between 17 August 1964 and 11 August 1966.

Event

Afghanistan (Op Herrick XIV)

After a 6 month tour 16 Air Assault Brigade handed control of Task Force Helmand to the Royal Marines.

Event

Operation Speedwell (Italy)

Preparations for the operation began in August 1943 with proposals to drop large numbers of men from 2 SAS Regt into Italy to disrupt German forces and sever supply lines.

Event

Operation Simcol (Italy)

A large number of Allied service personnel managed to escape, against Army orders, into the neighbouring hills and countryside before the Germans had time to move in and reassert control over the camps.

Article

Soldier from 3 PARA pauses on patrol, Musa Quelah, Afghanistan, 2008

L85A2, 5.56mm Rifle, SA80A2, with Underslung Grenade Launcher (UGL)

The L85A2 is the British Army's standard combat weapon.

Article

PARA Potential Officers Insight Course (POIC) / Officer Familiarisation Visit (OFV)

Following successful completion of the Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB) Main Board (MB) candidates are invited to attend a PARA Potential Officers Insight Course (POIC).

Article

L1A1 Self Loading Rifle (SLR)

The L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle, is the British version of the Belgian FN FAL rifle, and was produced in the UK, under licence

Article

Container Light Equipment (CLE)

The container was developed during the Second World War to carry additional supplies to be dropped with Paratroopers and for later resupply purposes.

Article

Passing Out Parade

Passing Out Parade.

Article

Lynx Helicopter

Lynx is the British Army's primary battlefield utility helicopter. Lynx has been used extensively within the Army Air Corps for a wide variety of roles and tasks throughout the world.

Article

Hints and tips on getting profiles published on Paradata

ParaData allows users to contribute content, including imagery, documents and a profile entry unique to themselves or a relative.

Article

Open invitation to 6th Airborne Division veterans for the 70th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings

An open letter from Lt Col PD Rodgers Regimental Secretary to all veterans of the 6th Airborne Division who took part in the Normandy landings.

Article

Wireless Ridge

Wireless Ridge is a battle honour of The Parachute Regiment and took place in June 1982 during

Article

Next Generation Light Anti Tank Weapon (NLAW)

The Next-generation Light Anti-tank Weapon (NLAW) is the current light anti-tank weapon utilised by units within 16 Air Assault Brigade. It was developed by SAAB to be the first, non-expert,

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Arnhem (Operation Market Garden)

Ardennes

Norway (Operation Doomsday)

Far East

Palestine

Canal Zone Egypt

Malaya

Cyprus (EOKA Campaign)

Jordan

Persian Gulf

British Guiana

Anguilla (Operation Sheepskin)

Northern Ireland (Operation Banner)

Hong Kong

Falklands (Operation Corporate)

Rwanda (Operation Gabriel)

Kosovo (Operation Agricola)

Sierra Leone (Operations Palliser and Barras)

Macedonia (Operation Bessemer)

Norway (Operation Freshman)

Iraq (Operation Telic)

Afghanistan (Operation Herrick IV)

Afghanistan (Operation Herrick VIII)

Formation and Early Airborne Forces

Afghanistan (Operation Fingal)

Afghanistan (Operation Herrick XIII)

Malay Peninsular

Afghanistan (Op Herrick XIV)

Operation Speedwell (Italy)

Operation Simcol (Italy)

L85A2, 5.56mm Rifle, SA80A2, with Underslung Grenade Launcher (UGL)

PARA Potential Officers Insight Course (POIC) / Officer Familiarisation Visit (OFV)

L1A1 Self Loading Rifle (SLR)

Container Light Equipment (CLE)

Passing Out Parade

Lynx Helicopter

Hints and tips on getting profiles published on Paradata

Open invitation to 6th Airborne Division veterans for the 70th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings

Wireless Ridge

Next Generation Light Anti Tank Weapon (NLAW)

Newsletter Signup

Donate

The Airborne Shop