Category: 1st Parachute Battalion, Australian Army, World War II
Categories: Australian Army, World War II
The 1st Parachute Battalion was a parachute infantry battalion of the Australian Army. Like the British Army, Australia did not have a parachute operations capability at the outbreak of the Second World War; however, the demonstration of the effectiveness of such forces by the Germans in the early stages of the conflict soon provided the impetus for their development. Raised for service during the Second World War, it was formed in early 1943 from volunteers for airborne training. As the battalion was Australia's first airborne unit it required extensive training; in addition to basic parachute training, the battalion also trained in jungle warfare and in demolitions and tactics. As no reserve parachutes were used, several fatalities occurred. In September 1943, Major John Overall MC & Bar, formerly of the 2/13th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers, was appointed commanding officer. Captain John Leake was Mentioned in Despatches. Despite achieving a high level of readiness, the battalion did not see action during the war and was disbanded in early 1946.
The 1st Parachute Battalion was organised with the following sub units:
- Battalion Headquarters
- Battalion Headquarters Company
- 'A' Company
- 'B' Company
- 'C' Company
- 'D' Company
- 1st Parachute Troop, Royal Australian Engineers
- 1st Mountain Battery, Royal Australian Artillery
Wikipedia: 1st Parachute Battalion
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