4th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 4th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (4 PARA) is a Territorial Army (TA) unit of the British Army
. It is based across the U.K. Originally the Battalion covered the North of England with its Headquarters located in Pudsey
, West Yorkshire. Following the Options for Change
review in 1993, 4 PARA amalgamated with the 15th (Scottish) Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (XV PARA) which was downsized and became 15 (Scottish) Company of 4 PARA. As part of further changes in 1999 (Strategic Defence Review) the Battalion also merged with the 10th (Volunteer) Battalion which then became 10 (London) Company.
The original 4th Parachute Battalion was formed in 1942 and saw service in;
In 1943 Operation Avalanche (Invasion of Italy) was launched and the Battalion was in action at Taranto
and Cassino
. In August 1944, the battalion was part of Operation Rugby
in Southern France. In October 1944 the Battalion seized by airborne assault (Operation Manna
) the airfield at Megara
near Athens
in Greece
. The Battalion spent the rest of the war supporting the 2nd New Zealand Division. Then from 1945 served with the 6th Airborne Division in Palestine
.
The original 10th Parachute Battalion was a war-formed unit which as part of the British 1st Airborne Division
fought at the Battle of Arnhem
(Operation Market Garden
). During this action Captain Lionel Ernest Queripel
was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross
. A new 10th Battalion was raised in 1947 as part of the T.A. based in London.
The 12th (Yorkshire) Parachute Battalion and 13th (Lancashire) Parachute Battalion
were dropped at Normandy as part of the 6th Airborne Division during the 'D' Day landings (Operation Overlord
) and on 12 June took part in the action at Breville
.
In 1945 as part of the 6th Airborne Division both battalions took part in Operation Varsity
(the Rhine Crossing). Both Battalions were re-raised in 1947 in the TA, although with no official lineage to their wartime namesakes.
The 15th (Scottish) Parachute Battalion was raised in 1947 with HQ in Glasgow whilst 17th (Durham Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion was raised the same year in the North-East of England by converting the 9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
.
One of 15 PARA's past members is the well known Scottish comedian, musician and actor, William "Billy" Connolly, CBE
. He served in the Glasgow HQ during the early 1960s and later commemorated his TA experiences in the song, " Weekend Soldier".
On the right sleeve of the smock worn by XV PARA soldiers just below the wings was a tartan DZ flash. This was similar to that used by the lowland Scottish Regiments being a section of the Hunting Stewart Tartan. It was also worn on the beret behind the parachute regiment capbadge.
4 PARA was re-formed on 1 April 1967 as a Territorial Army Battalion from a merger of the 12th/13th (Yorkshire and Lancashire) Battalion (this had been formed in 1956 from an amalgamation of the 12th and 13th Battalions) and the 17th (9 DLI) Battalions of The Parachute Regiment.
All of the TA Parachute Battalions formed part of the 44th Parachute Brigade (V)
which was disbanded on 31 March 1978. After this 4 PARA came under the administrative command of North-East District with an operational role to reinforce an armoured division in the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR).
In 1982, 4 PARA became part of 15 Infantry Brigade.
In 1999, 4 PARA (Merseyside) was disbanded therefore moving to Pudsey in Leeds, however it moved back to Merseyside (Jubilee Barracks, St Helens) in 2006.
competition held at the Sennybridge
Training Area.
A total of 104 soldiers from the Battalion were mobilised to reinforce the 1st and 3rd Battalions during the invasion of Iraq in 2003 Operation Telic
. The Battalion provided a Platoon for Force Protection duties on Op Telic 3 in 2004 and a Company for Op Telic 7 in 2005-2006. Most recently the Battalion mobilised 20 soldiers to support of the 3rd Battalion in Afghanistan Operation Herrick
. The Battalion has also provided soldiers for operations in Northern Ireland
and the Balkans
.
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
. It is based across the U.K. Originally the Battalion covered the North of England with its Headquarters located in Pudsey
Pudsey
Pudsey is a market town in West Yorkshire, England. Once an independent town, it was incorporated into the metropolitan borough of the City of Leeds in 1974, and is located midway between Bradford and Leeds city centres. It has a population of 32,391....
, West Yorkshire. Following the Options for Change
Options for Change
Options for Change was a restructuring of the British Armed Forces in 1990, aimed at cutting defence spending following the end of the Cold War....
review in 1993, 4 PARA amalgamated with the 15th (Scottish) Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (XV PARA) which was downsized and became 15 (Scottish) Company of 4 PARA. As part of further changes in 1999 (Strategic Defence Review) the Battalion also merged with the 10th (Volunteer) Battalion which then became 10 (London) Company.
History
The present day Battalion is the successor to several T.A. Parachute Battalions which were all raised in 1947, although it can trace its history back to units raised during the Second World War.The original 4th Parachute Battalion was formed in 1942 and saw service in;
- AlgeriaAlgeriaAlgeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
( as part of the British 1st Airborne DivisionBritish 1st Airborne DivisionThe 1st Airborne Division was a division of the British airborne forces during the Second World War. The division was formed in 1941, after British Prime Minister Winston Churchill demanded an airborne force...
during Operation TorchOperation TorchOperation Torch was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942....
) - TunisiaTunisiaTunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
(Supporting American forces)
In 1943 Operation Avalanche (Invasion of Italy) was launched and the Battalion was in action at Taranto
Taranto
Taranto is a coastal city in Apulia, Southern Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Taranto and is an important commercial port as well as the main Italian naval base....
and Cassino
Cassino
Cassino is a comune in the province of Frosinone, Italy, at the southern end of the region of Lazio.Cassino is located at the foot of Monte Cairo near the confluence of the Rapido and Liri rivers...
. In August 1944, the battalion was part of Operation Rugby
2nd Parachute Brigade in Southern France
The British 2nd Parachute Brigade was part of the Operation Rugby airborne landings in August 1944. The operation was carried out by an ad-hoc airborne formation called the 1st Airborne Task Force. Operation Rugby was itself part of the Operation Dragoon invasion of Southern France by the American...
in Southern France. In October 1944 the Battalion seized by airborne assault (Operation Manna
Operation Manna
Operations Manna and Chowhound took place from 29 April to the end of World War II in Europe on 8 May 1945. These two operations—Manna by the Royal Air Force and Chowhound by the U.S...
) the airfield at Megara
Megara
Megara is an ancient city in Attica, Greece. It lies in the northern section of the Isthmus of Corinth opposite the island of Salamis, which belonged to Megara in archaic times, before being taken by Athens. Megara was one of the four districts of Attica, embodied in the four mythic sons of King...
near Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. The Battalion spent the rest of the war supporting the 2nd New Zealand Division. Then from 1945 served with the 6th Airborne Division in Palestine
6th Airborne Division in Palestine
The 6th Airborne Division in Palestine was initially posted to the region as the Imperial Strategic Reserve. It was envisioned as a mobile peace keeping force, positioned to be able to respond quickly to any area of the British Empire...
.
The original 10th Parachute Battalion was a war-formed unit which as part of the British 1st Airborne Division
British 1st Airborne Division
The 1st Airborne Division was a division of the British airborne forces during the Second World War. The division was formed in 1941, after British Prime Minister Winston Churchill demanded an airborne force...
fought at the Battle of Arnhem
Battle of Arnhem
The Battle of Arnhem was a famous Second World War military engagement fought in and around the Dutch towns of Arnhem, Oosterbeek, Wolfheze, Driel and the surrounding countryside from 17–26 September 1944....
(Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden was an unsuccessful Allied military operation, fought in the Netherlands and Germany in the Second World War. It was the largest airborne operation up to that time....
). During this action Captain Lionel Ernest Queripel
Lionel Ernest Queripel
Lionel Ernest Queripel VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
. A new 10th Battalion was raised in 1947 as part of the T.A. based in London.
The 12th (Yorkshire) Parachute Battalion and 13th (Lancashire) Parachute Battalion
13th (Lancashire) Parachute Battalion
The 13th Parachute Battalion was an airborne infantry battalion of the Parachute Regiment, raised by the British Army during the Second World War...
were dropped at Normandy as part of the 6th Airborne Division during the 'D' Day landings (Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
) and on 12 June took part in the action at Breville
Battle of Bréville
The Battle of Bréville was fought by the British 6th Airborne Division and the German 346th Infantry Division, between the 8 and 13 June 1944, during the invasion of Normandy in the Second World War....
.
In 1945 as part of the 6th Airborne Division both battalions took part in Operation Varsity
Operation Varsity
Operation Varsity was a successful joint American–British airborne operation that took place toward the end of World War II...
(the Rhine Crossing). Both Battalions were re-raised in 1947 in the TA, although with no official lineage to their wartime namesakes.
The 15th (Scottish) Parachute Battalion was raised in 1947 with HQ in Glasgow whilst 17th (Durham Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion was raised the same year in the North-East of England by converting the 9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
Durham Light Infantry
The Durham Light Infantry was an infantry regiment of the British Army from 1881 to 1968. It was formed by the amalgamation of the 68th Regiment of Foot and the 106th Regiment of Foot along with the militia and rifle volunteers of County Durham...
.
One of 15 PARA's past members is the well known Scottish comedian, musician and actor, William "Billy" Connolly, CBE
Billy Connolly
William "Billy" Connolly, Jr., CBE is a Scottish comedian, musician, presenter and actor. He is sometimes known, especially in his native Scotland, by the nickname The Big Yin...
. He served in the Glasgow HQ during the early 1960s and later commemorated his TA experiences in the song, " Weekend Soldier".
On the right sleeve of the smock worn by XV PARA soldiers just below the wings was a tartan DZ flash. This was similar to that used by the lowland Scottish Regiments being a section of the Hunting Stewart Tartan. It was also worn on the beret behind the parachute regiment capbadge.
4 PARA was re-formed on 1 April 1967 as a Territorial Army Battalion from a merger of the 12th/13th (Yorkshire and Lancashire) Battalion (this had been formed in 1956 from an amalgamation of the 12th and 13th Battalions) and the 17th (9 DLI) Battalions of The Parachute Regiment.
All of the TA Parachute Battalions formed part of the 44th Parachute Brigade (V)
44th Parachute Brigade (V)
The 44th Parachute Brigade was formed on 1st April 1967 from 44th Independent Parachute Brigade Group . The Brigade was the only Territorial Army Parachute formation in the Army's order of battle...
which was disbanded on 31 March 1978. After this 4 PARA came under the administrative command of North-East District with an operational role to reinforce an armoured division in the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR).
In 1999, 4 PARA (Merseyside) was disbanded therefore moving to Pudsey in Leeds, however it moved back to Merseyside (Jubilee Barracks, St Helens) in 2006.
C Company (North of England)
- Pudsey, LeedsPudseyPudsey is a market town in West Yorkshire, England. Once an independent town, it was incorporated into the metropolitan borough of the City of Leeds in 1974, and is located midway between Bradford and Leeds city centres. It has a population of 32,391....
- Hebburn, Tyne & WearHebburnHebburn is a small town situated on the south bank of the River Tyne in North East England, sandwiched between the towns of Jarrow and Bill Quay...
- St Helens, MerseysideSt Helens, MerseysideSt Helens is a large town in Merseyside, England. It is the largest settlement and administrative centre of the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens with a population of just over 100,000, part of an urban area with a total population of 176,843 at the time of the 2001 Census...
Current Operations and Exercises
Recent overseas annual camps have been held in the Czech Republic 1999 (Ex Czech Mate); France 2001 (Ex Gaulish 1); Germany 2002 (Ex Paperchase); Ukraine 2003 (Ex Cossack Steppe); Wyoming, USA 2005 (Ex Stoney Run) and Albania 2006. In addition the Battalion has a number of regular exercises and unit exchanges which it takes part in, these include Ex Paperchase (exchange with German 272 Falschirmjager Battalion); Ex Anthropoid (Patrol competition with Slovak Special Forces); Ex Pathfinder (Exchange with Czech airborne forces) and Ex Market Garden (annual commemoration and jump into Arnhem). The Battalion also regularly sends teams to the annual Exercise Cambrian PatrolExercise Cambrian Patrol
Exercise Cambrian Patrol is an annual patrolling competition that takes place throughout the Cambrian Mountains of mid-Wales. An internationally recognized military exercise, previous participants have included numerous European states, in addition to Commonwealth countries and the United...
competition held at the Sennybridge
Sennybridge
Sennybridge is a village in Powys, Mid Wales, situated some from Cardiff and from Swansea. It lies west of Brecon on the A40 trunk road to Llandovery, at the point where the River Senni flows into the Usk...
Training Area.
A total of 104 soldiers from the Battalion were mobilised to reinforce the 1st and 3rd Battalions during the invasion of Iraq in 2003 Operation Telic
Operation Telic
Operation TELIC was the codename under which all British military operations in Iraq were conducted between the start of the Invasion of Iraq on 19 March 2003 and the withdrawal of the last remaining British forces on 22 May 2011...
. The Battalion provided a Platoon for Force Protection duties on Op Telic 3 in 2004 and a Company for Op Telic 7 in 2005-2006. Most recently the Battalion mobilised 20 soldiers to support of the 3rd Battalion in Afghanistan Operation Herrick
Operation Herrick
Operation Herrick is the codename under which all British operations in the war in Afghanistan have been conducted since 2002. It consists of the British contribution to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force and support to the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom...
. The Battalion has also provided soldiers for operations in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
.
See also
- 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment1st Battalion, The Parachute RegimentThe First Battalion, The Parachute Regiment is a battalion sized formation of the British Army's Parachute Regiment and subordinate unit within 16th Air Assault Brigade, but is permanently attached to the Special Forces Support Group....
- 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment2nd Battalion, The Parachute RegimentThe Second Battalion, The Parachute Regiment is a battalion-sized formation of the British Army's Parachute Regiment and subordinate unit within 16th Air Assault Brigade whose Commanding Officer was Lieutenant Colonel Joseph O'Sullivan....
- 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment3rd Battalion, The Parachute RegimentThe 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment is a battalion sized formation of the British Army's Parachute Regiment and subordinate unit within 16 Air Assault Brigade....
- United Kingdom Special ForcesUnited Kingdom Special ForcesThe United Kingdom Special Forces is a UK Ministry of Defence Directorate which also has the capability to provide a Joint Special Operations Task Force Headquarters...
- List of Second World War British airborne battalions