During the Second World War, the Parachute Battalions and Airlanding Battalions of the Division were armed with the Vickers MG.
The Divisions were:
| Division | Parachute Brigades and Battalions | Airlanding Brigades and Battalions |
| 1st |
1st Parachute Brigade {10 December, 1941, to 22 September, 1942}{07 May, 1943, to 05 May, 1945}{25 August, 1945, to 31 August, 1945} 2nd Parachute Brigade {30 July, 1942, to 16 November, 1943} 3rd Parachute Brigade {13 November, 1942, to 11 April, 1943} 4th Parachute Brigade {10 June, 1943, to 09 December, 1944} |
1st Airlanding Brigade Group {10 December, 1941, to 09 March, 1943} 1st Airlanding Brigade {10 March, 1943, to 31 August, 1945} |
| 6th |
3rd Parachute Brigade {15 May, 1943, to 31 August, 1945} 5th Parachute Brigade {01 June, 1943, to 19 July, 1945} 2nd Parachute Brigade Group {29 August, 1945, to 31 August, 1945} |
6th Airlanding Brigade {06 May, 1943, to 31 August, 1945} |