The Parachute Regiment was formed in 1942 as part of the Army Air Corps. It constituted Parachute Battalions within which were formed Machine Gun Platoons which utilised the 'Man Carry' method of transport.
Parachute Battalions formed the key component of Airborne Divisions. The make-up of a Battalion remained the same, with regards to Vickers usage, even after the Second World War.
Served as the Senior Battalion of the 1st Parachute Brigade with the 1st Airborne Division.
The MG Platoon Commander at the time of Operation Market Garden (September 1944) was Lt. J. Gardiner MiD.
One of the members of the Platoon was Andrew Milbourne. During Operation Market Garden, he was part of the 1st Battalion's first action. This took place in woods at the junction of Wolfhezerweg and the Amsterdam-Ede Road. He was the No. 1 on a Vickers MG and he recalls:
'Shells began to burst amongst us. Yells and whistles filled the air and machine-guns opened fire. I noticed before I hugged the ground that one of the enemy guns was about 200 yards in front and to our left flank. My officer asked if I had seen anything and when I pointed the gun out to him ordered my gun section into action. Grasping the tripod I ran across the road, diving headlong into a very convenient ditch. Cautiously I raised my head looking for a position for my gun. Before having completed my look round No. 2 landed on top of me. "You bloody awkward elephant", I began to curse, then stopped. A burst of fire was spraying the ditch... Finally I reached my position and slowly spread-eagled the tripod legs. Then, raising it slightly to the required height for a low mounting, I clamped the legs tight. Shuffling round I yelled for No. 2. Slowly he approached us and as he did so I ordered No. 3 to get near enough to supply us with ammunition. At last, after what seemed an age, No. 2 reached my side and mounted the gun... We were swept by withering fire. Dead lay all around, wounded were crying for water. Groans and shrieks of pain filled the air. Time and again they overran our positions and had to be driven out with the bayonet. My gun was never out of action.'
Andrew Milbourne was badly injured, including the loss of both arms and an eye, and became a Prisoner of War. He passed away, aged 86, 2009. He was originally a member of the 2nd Bn., Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.
Served as the Second Battalion of the 1st Parachute Brigade with the 1st Airborne Division.
The MG Platoon Commander at the time of Operation Market Garden (September 1944) was Lt. J.H.A. Monsell.
Served as the Junior Battalion of the 1st Parachute Brigade with the 1st Airborne Division.
The MG Platoon Commander at the time of Operation Market Garden (September 1944) was Lt. M.J. Dickson.
Served as the Senior Battalion of the 2nd (Independent) Parachute Brigade.
Served as the Second Battalion of the 2nd (Independent) Parachute Brigade.
Served as the Junior Battalion of the 2nd (Independent) Parachute Brigade.
Served as the Senior Battalion of the 5th Parachute Brigade with the 6th Airborne Division.
The MG Platoon Commander at the time of Operation Overlord (June 1944) was Lt. Hill.
Served as the Senior Battalion of the 3rd Parachute Brigade with the 6th Airborne Division.
Served as the Second Battalion of the 3rd Parachute Brigade with the 6th Airborne Division.
The MG Platoon Commander at the time of Operation Overlord (June 1944) was Lt. Dennis Slade.
Served as the Senior Battalion of the 4th Parachute Brigade with the 1st Airborne Division.
The MG Platoon Commander at the time of Operation Market Garden (September 1944) was Lt. H.C.N. Radcliff. He was sadly Killed-in-Action on the 19th September 1944.
Served as the Second Battalion of the 4th Parachute Brigade with the 1st Airborne Division.
The MG Platoon Commander at the time of Operation Market Garden (September 1944) was Lt. J.F. Rogerson. He was sadly Killed-in-Action on the 24th September 1944.
Served as the Second Battalion of the 5th Parachute Brigade with the 6th Airborne Division.
Served as the Junior Battalion of the 5th Parachute Brigade with the 6th Airborne Division.
Served as the Junior Battalion of the 4th Parachute Brigade with the 1st Airborne Division.
The MG Platoon Commander at the time of Operation Market Garden (September 1944) was Lt. J.F. Noble.