History

At the insistence of Winston Churchill, British Airborne Forces were formed after German paratroops proved so effective in 1940.

Early volunteers came from all regiments and corps. The 1st Parachute Brigade was formed in September 1941, with 1st Airborne Division in October and 6th Airborne Division in April 1943. Airborne Forces were deployed in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and the invasion of Normandy on D-Day. 1st Airborne Division was to suffer defeat during the ill-fated Operation MARKET GARDEN assault on Arnhem, whilst 6th Airborne Division was to achieve success in 1945 during the crossing of the Rhine.

After the War, Airborne Forces became one regular brigade comprising the three battalions of The Parachute Regiment and a Territorial Brigade. 16th Parachute Brigade led the attack on Suez in 1956 as well as being committed to counter-insurgencies in Cyprus, Borneo, Aden and Northern Ireland.

Two battalions fought in the Falklands War of 1982, with the award of two posthumous Victoria Crosses. 16th Parachute Brigade evolved via 5th Airborne Brigade to become 16th Air Assault Brigade, which fought in the Gulf War of 2003.

Airborne Forces have also played a part in peacekeeping operations in Anguilla, Rwanda, Kosovo, Macedonia, Iraq and now Afghanistan with another posthumous VC awarded to Cpl Bryan Budd of 3 PARA.

"What manner of men are these?
They are in fact men apart, every man an emperor."

Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery 1947


Go to Film above to watch a moving film created from our archives. Please note that this file is 6.7Mb so it is best viewed with a broadband connection.

This short film shows the sort of men who make Airborne Forces what they are – an elite fighting force living up to The Parachute Regiment's motto – Ready For Anything.

Thanks go to DreamWorks and Universal Studios for permission to use the music from the film Gladiator.