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 (Van Roekel, 1996).
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 (Van Roekel, 1996).
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 (Van Roekel, 1996).
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 (Hickman, 2006).
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 (Hickman, 2006).
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 (Van Roekel, 1996).
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 (Van Roekel, 1996).
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 (Van Roekel, 1996).