1st Airborne Division

Organisational History

The 1^st Airborne Division is established on October 31^st, 1941, under the command of Major-General Frederick “Boy” Browning. Initially, it comprises only the 1^st Parachute Brigade and the newly formed 1^st Airlanding Brigade. However, by July 17^th, 1942, it reaches full divisional strength with the formation and inclusion of the 2^nd Parachute Brigade.

In late 1942, the 1^st Parachute Brigade is deployed to North Africa. Its departure leaves a significant gap in the division’s strength, which is temporarily filled by the 3^rd Parachute Brigade. This arrangement remains until May 1^st, 1943, when the division, now under the command of Major-General Hopkinson, also moves to North Africa to reunite with the 1^st Parachute Brigade and participate in the invasion of Sicily. Meanwhile, the 3^rd Parachute Brigade stays in England, forming the core of the 6^th Airborne Division.

Before the Battle of Arnhem, the 1^st Airborne Division had never fought together as a complete unit in a major battle. In Sicily, the 1^st Parachute and 1^st Airlanding Brigades saw action, but without the 2^nd Parachute Brigade and other divisional support units, and their operations occurred on separate dates and locations around the island.

On September 9^th, 1943, the division, now reinforced by the 4^th Parachute Brigade, is sent to Italy to capture the port of Taranto. The port is swiftly secured, and the 2^nd and 4^th Parachute Brigades advance inland, engaging in several skirmishes, although not as intense as previous airborne operations. During these early stages, Major-General Hopkinson is killed by German machinegun fire, and temporary command passes to Brigadier Eric Down of the 2^nd Parachute Brigade. In November, the 1^st Airborne Division is ordered to return to England, although the 2nd Parachute Brigade remains in Italy as an independent unit.

In January 1944, Roy Urquhart assumes command of the 1^st Airborne Division. The division is passed over for the Normandy invasion in favour of the 6th Airborne Division but is held in reserve. Two weeks before D-Day, the 1^st Airborne Division and the 1^st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade are tasked with acting as the “enemy” during a four-day training exercise for the 6^th Airborne Division. Between Normandy and Arnhem, 17 operations are proposed for the 1^st Airborne, but each is cancelled at the last minute. This leads to a significant decline in morale among the troops, who begin to refer to themselves as the “Stillborn Division,” believing they are being held in reserve for a victory parade. The Battle of Arnhem ultimately quenches their thirst for action.