156 Parachute Battalion

156 Parachute Battalion

The 156 Parachute Battalion was the previous 151 Parachute Battalion (that formed in Delhi) changing its title in November 1942. It became part of the UK 4th Parachute Brigade at Kabrit in Egypt in 1943.

The Battalion trained in Palestine before joining the 4th Brigade in North Africa and Tunisia. It landed in Italy with the 1st Airborne Division in September 1943 and spearheaded the advance from Taranto to Bari. It left Italy in November to return to the UK to prepare for the invasion of Europe.

After the frustration of numerous cancelled operations between D-Day and Operation MARKET-GARDEN, it arrived with the second lift at Arnhem on 18 September 1944, landing under heavy fire. Blocked to the north-west of Arnhem and suffering heavy casualties during the withdrawal to the Oosterbeek perimeter, the battalion was virtually destroyed alongside the other units in the 1st Airborne Division. Only a few survivors escaped across the Lower Rhine.

The under-strength Battalion was disbanded shortly after the battle in September 1944.

Commanding Officers:

1942            Lt Col MCR Hose, DSO
1943-4        Lt Col R de B Voeux

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Audio_8

War Diaries_1

  • The 156Bn War Diary / Intelligence Summary Sept 44 Pg 1
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    The 156Bn War Diary / Intelligence Summary Sept 44 Pg 1

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Group photos_8

Medal Citations_2

  • Citation for Military Medal for Sglmn Moncrief for his actions at Arnhem, Oct 1944
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    Citation for Military Medal for Sglmn Moncrief for his actions at Arnhem, Oct 1944

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  • Noel Rosenberg's (Ross) citation for a Military Medal
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    Noel Rosenberg's (Ross) citation for a Military Medal

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Post-combat reports_1

Official documents_17

Obituaries_1

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Letters and Cards_1

  • Sgt RA Bloomfield. 1st wedding anniversay telegram. 11 Jun 1945
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    Sgt RA Bloomfield. 1st wedding anniversay telegram. 11 Jun 1945

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Documents_3

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Messages_1

Newspaper extracts_1

  • Pte D Henderson in a Doncaster Free Press article, December 1944.
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    Pte D Henderson in a Doncaster Free Press article, December 1944.

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