CHAPTER 1

FORMATION AND TRAINING

"British 6 Airborne Division was to be dropped behind the beach defences to secure the vital bridges over the Caen Canal and the Orne River between Caen and the sea" (Gen Eisenhower's report to the combined Chiefs of Staff).

The actual securing of these vital bridges was entrusted to the Seventh battalion of The Parachute Regiment and an attempt will be made, in a later chapter, to describe how they did it.

Before that however it is necessary to go back as far as the 7th of November 1942, which was the day the battalion was born and to describe, very briefly, its growth and development. Prior to this date it had existed as the 10th Bn, Somerset Light Infantry, commanded by Lt Col KGG Dennys.

The battalion was turned over to parachuting as a formed body and those who wished to do so were given the chance to drop out; others, including the Commanding Officer, were weeded out by the Medical Board. Nearly 70% of the original battalion survived the turn-over and became the 7th Bn of the Parachute Regiment.

The conversion, in this way, of an existing battalion was an excellent ideas as no time had to be spent in setting up the machin— ery of administration thus avoiding many of the teething troubles which had hampered the early days of the 1st Parachute Brigade in 1941 . The gaps in the ranks were filled by parachute volunteers from the various Light Infantry and Rifle Regiments and the battalion took the title of 7th Bn (Light Infantry) The Parachute Regiment. It was given permission to wear a green diamond as a backing for the cap badge on the maroon beret at the same time and ever since it has been possible to recognise a member of the battalion by this distinc- tion.

After completing its parachute training at Ringway, near Man- chester the battalion moved to Gordon Barracks, Bulford, where it formed part of the 3rd Parachute Brigade, commanded by Brigadier SHL HILL DSO, MC and was carefully trained on the somewhat general lines that were necessary at the time.

It was obvious to everyone, including the enemy, that airborne troops would be used for the invasion but the method of their use and the area of their descent were a closed book. Their employ- ment in an unexpected role, or their descent at an earlier, or later, time than had been considered likely by the enemy would result in a tactical surprise with all the advantages that that implies. This very fact rendered the training a matter of some difficulty. No one could foresee what they would be called upon to do, but when the call came there must be no failure from lack of preliminary training.

The training policy was laid down by Maj.Gen.RH Gale, DSO, OBE, MC, commander of the 6th Airborne Division and was most carefully explained to all ranks so that each officer and man knew the reason for every exercise he was called upon to do. Even the most unob- servant could not fail to notice that he was part of a division which was developing rapidly and at the same time, was one which was going to live up to its motto of "Go to it".