3rd Parachute Brigade (United Kingdom)
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| 3rd Parachute Brigade | |
|---|---|
 The divisional shoulder flash of the airbourne forces |
|
| Active | 7 November 1942 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Type | Airbourne |
| Role | Parachute Infantry |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of | 6th Airbourne Division |
| Engagements | Battle of Normandy Rhine Crossing, 1945 |
| Battle honours | D-Day |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Brig. Gerald Lathbury |
The 3rd Parachute Brigade was a military unit of the United Kingdom
Contents |
[edit] History
Brigade HQ formed in the United Kingdom on 7 Nov 1942 by redesignation and conversion of HQ 223rd Independent Infantry Brigade . Assigned 1st Airbourne Division 13 Nov 1942 it was relieved from 1st Airbourne Division 11 April 1943.
[edit] D-Day
Assigned 6th Airbourne Division 15 May 1943, the brigade landed with the division in Operation Overlord 6 Jun 1944, on the left of the invasion beaches to establish a bridgehead across the River Orne and Caen Canal. The division was in action 7 June to 16 August 1944 consolidating the bridgehead and holding it against German attacks. With enemy withdrawal on the front, 6th Airbourne Division began to advance 17 Aug 1944, reaching the Seine later in the month before halting to reorganize and mop-up. The brigade returned with the division to the UK in early Sep 1944.
[edit] Ardennes
The 6th Airbourne Division returned to the Continent late in Dec 1944 because of the German Ardennes offensive, and elements saw some fighting in Jan 1945 before returning to the UK in Feb 1945.
[edit] Varsity
The next airbourne operation (Operation Varsity) would be assisting 21st Army Group in Operation Plunder, the crossing of the Rhine. The brigade landed with 6th Airbourne Division in daylight 24 March 1945. Contact was made with ground troops by the second day, and on 28 March 1945 6th Airbourne Division began advancing from the airhead. The division crossed the Weser from 5 Apr 1945 and the Elbe on 30 Apr 1945. On 31 April 1945 6th Airbourne Division reached Wismar on the Baltic Sea. The brigade returned to the UK in late May 1945.
[edit] Component Units
- 7th Battalion Parachute Regiment: 7 Nov 1942 - 8 Aug 1943
- 8th Bn Parachute Regiment: 7 Nov 1942
- 9th Bn Parachute Regiment: 5 Dec 1942
- 1st Canadian Parachute Bn: 11 Aug 1943 - 31 May 1945
- 3rd Bn Parachute Regiment: 7 Aug 1945
[edit] Commanding Officers
- 7 Nov 1942: Brigadier Sir A.B.G. Stainer, Bt.
- 8 Dec 1942: Brig G.W. Lathbury
- 25 Apr 1943: Lt-Col S.J.L. Hill (acting)
- 4 May 1943: Brig S.J.L. Hill
- 20 Dec 1944: Col R.G. Parker (acting)
- 30 Dec 1944: Brig S.J.L. Hill
- 2 July 1945: Brig G.W. Lathbury
[edit] Notes and References
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)
- 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)
