British 2nd Parachute Brigade
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| 2nd Parachute Brigade | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1942 - 1948 |
| Country | Great Britain |
| Branch | British Army |
| Type | War Formed |
| Role | Parachute Infantry |
| Battles/wars | Operation Dragoon |
Contents |
[edit] World War II History
Brigade HQ formed 17th July 1942 in the UK . Assigned to the 1st Airborne Division on 30th July 1942 .
Moved to Tunisia with division Apr 1943. Allotted for drop in Sicily Jul 1943 but their mission was cancelled. Landed at Taranto with the 1st Airborne Division on 9th September 1943 .
On 16 Nov 1943 the brigade was relieved from the 1st Airborne Division and reorganized as a brigade group. In early Dec 1943 committed to line north or Sangro River as conventional infantry. They remained in that role, with brief periods in local reserve, until withdrawn late May 1944 to a site near Salerno . The brigade moved to Rome area Jul 1944 to prepare for Invasion of southern France. 2nd Parachute Brigade was dropped there 15 Aug 1944. They were withdrawn by sea 26 Aug 1944 to return to Italy.
Named Force 140 for operations in Greece 18 Sep 1944; title discontinued by 2nd Parachute Brigade 6 Oct 1944 [and taken over by 3 Corps]. The brigade dropped into Greece 12 Oct 1944 (one company group) and 14 Oct 1944 (bulk of brigade). They entered Athens 15 Oct 1944. They followed the retreating Germans, moving various locations in Greece. However, they returned to Athens and became involved in fighting against Greek [communist] rebels until the latter were defeated 4 Jan 1945. The brigade then returned to Italy in Jan 1945 to prepare again for airborne operations. The war ended without any further airborne operations, and in Jun 1945 the brigade returned to the UK.
Assigned 6th Airborne Division 29 Aug 1945 and moved to Palestine in Oct 1945 to join that division. In 1948 the 2nd Para Brigade was redesignated as the G.H.Q of 16 Parachute Brigade , the numeric title represented the 1st Airborne and 6th Airborne Divisions .
[edit] Assigned Units
4th Bn Parachute Regiment: 1 Aug 1942
5th Bn Parachute Regiment: 1 Aug 1942
6th Bn Parachute Regiment: 1 Aug 1942
[edit] Other Assigned Units 1942-1945
300th Airlanding AT Battery RA: 8 Dec 1943
64th Airlanding Battery RA: 23 Jun 1944 - 25 Jun 1945
2nd Parachute Sqn RE: 17 Nov 1943
2nd Indep Parachute Bde Gp Signals: 17 Nov 1943
1st Indep Glider Sqn AAC: 20 Nov 1943
23rd Indep Platoon Parachute Regiment: 17 Nov 1943
751st Parachute Bde Coy RASC: 18 Nov 1943
127th Parachute Field Ambulance: 17 Nov 1943
2nd Indep Para Bde Gp Workshop REME: 20 Nov 1943
[edit] Commanding Officers
30 Jul 1942: Brig E.E. Down
11 Sep 1943: Brig C.H.V. Pritchard
1 Mar 1944: Col T.C.H. Pearson (acting)
6 Mar 1944: Brig C.H.V. Pritchard
22 Aug 1944: Col T.C.H. Pearson (acting)
29 Aug 1944: Brig C.H.V. Pritchard
13 Nov 1944: Col T.C.H. Pearson (acting) v 9 Dec 1944: Brig C.H.V. Pritchard
9 Feb 1945: Col H.B. Coxen (acting)
28 Feb 1945: Brig C.H.V. Pritchard
1 Jun 1945: Col H.B. Coxen (acting)
26 Jun 1945: Brig C.H.V. Pritchard
[edit] Sources
Information based on Lt. Col. H. F.Joslen, Orders of Battle, Second World War, 1939-1945 History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series (London: Her Majesty's Stationary Office, 1960 in 2 vols; reprinted London: The London Stamp Exchange, 1990 in one vol) and Lt-Col T. B. H. Otway, Airborne Forces The Second World War 1939-1945, Army (London: Imperial War Museum, Department of Printed Books, 1990; originally published as Confidential volume 1951 by the War Office)
