The Parachute Regiment
Parachute Regiment cap badge
Active:	1941-
Country:	UK
Allegiance:
Branch:	British Army
Type:	Line Infantry
Role:	Airborne Infantry
Size:	Four battalions; 3 regular and 1 TA
Command structure:
Current commander:
Garrison/HQ:	Colchester
Colonel-in-Chief:	HRH The Prince of Wales
Colonel Commandant:	General Sir John George Reith, KCB, CBE, CDM, 66 - 1 Bar
Nickname:	Maroon Machine
Patron:
Motto:	Utrique Paratus (Ready for Anything) (Latin)
Colors:	{{{colors}}}
Drop Zone Flash:
March:	Quick - Ride of the Valkyries Slow - Pomp and Circumstance No 4
Mascot:	A Shetland Pony named "Pegasus"
Notable battles or wars:	see Battle honours
Notable commanders:
Anniversaries:
Decorations:
Battle honours:

The Parachute Regiment is the Airborne Infantry element of the British Army. It is considered an elite unit by virtue of its stringent selection process and rigourous training programme. Parachute Regiment cap badge from [1] This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film) 1941 (MCMXLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1941 calendar). ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... Airborne means carried by air, (e. ... Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I. An infantry is a body of soldiers who fight primarily on foot with small arms in organized military units, though they may be transported to the battlefield by horses, ships, automobiles, skis, or other... The Prince of Wales The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor) (born 14 November 1948), is the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. ... Latin is an ancient Indo-European language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ... Image File history File links Paras_DZ_Flash. ... Ride of the Valkyries (German: Walkürenritt) is probably the best known piece by Richard Wagner. ... The Pomp and Circumstance Marches, op. ... The Parachute Regiment is the Airborne Infantry element of the British Army. ... A battle honour is an official acknowledgement to recognize a military units achievements in specific wars or operations. ... Airborne means carried by air, (e. ... Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I. An infantry is a body of soldiers who fight primarily on foot with small arms in organized military units, though they may be transported to the battlefield by horses, ships, automobiles, skis, or other... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ...

Organisation

The Parachute Regiment is currently organised into three regular and one Reserve battalions, and a Pathfinder Platoon: Symbol of the Austrian 14th Armoured Battalion in NATO code In military terminology, a battalion consists of two to six companies typically commanded by a lieutenant colonel. ... {{ The Pathfinder Platoon is an elite unit within the British Armys 16 Air Assault Brigade and is a part of the Parachute Regiment. ...

• 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (1 PARA) (Now part of SFSG)
• 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA)
• 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (3 PARA)
• 4th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (4 PARA) (the reserve Battalion)
• Pathfinder platoon

In December 2004, it was announced that 1 PARA would form the core of a new formation, to be known as the Joint Special Forces Support Group, to act as a support formation for the Special Air Service. The Parachute Regiment sends more soldiers for SAS selection, than any other regiment. With the amalgamations of remaining single battalion regiments, the Parachute Regiment, formed in 1942, will become the oldest un-amalgamated line infantry regiment in the British Army – only the five foot guards regiments will be older. The Special Forces Support Group (SFSG) is a unit of the United Kingdom Special Forces. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Joint Special Forces Support Group, informally known as the British Rangers, is a proposed new formation of the British Armed Forces, announced in December 2004 as part of the forces restructuring. ... It has been suggested that SAS Troops be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that SAS Troops be merged into this article or section. ... This article is about the year. ... Foot guards is a term used to describe elite infantry regiments. ...

At the end of 2005 the 4th Battalion dropped the word 'Volunteer' from its unit title, although it still forms part of the Territorial Army. In the United Kingdom the Territorial Army is a part of the British Army composed of reserve units, or part-time soldiers. ...

Formation

The Parachute Regiment has its origins in the elite force of Commandos set up by the British Army at the request of Winston Churchill. Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC (30 November 1874 – 24 January 1965) was an English politician and author, best known as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. ...

Britain's first airborne assault took place on February 10, 1941, when, what was then known as 11th Special Air Service (some 40 men of 500 trained in No. 2 Commando), introduced themselves to the enemy by jumping into Italy and blowing up an aqueduct in a darling raid named Operation Colossus. February 10 is the 41st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film) 1941 (MCMXLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1941 calendar). ... During World War II, Operation Colossus was an experimental raid by thirty-eight of the five hundred men of No. ...

After the Battle of Crete, it was agreed that Britain would need far more paratroopers for similar operations. No 2 Commando were tasked with specialising in airborne assault and became the nucleus of the Parachute regiment. Combatants Greece New Zealand Australia United Kingdom Germany Italy Commanders Bernard Freyberg Kurt Student Strength 43,000 25,000 Casualties 3,500 dead 1,900 wounded 17,500 captured 6,200–16,100 dead, wounded, or captured The Battle of Crete (German Luftlandeschlacht um Kreta; Greek Μάχη της Κρήτης) began on the morning... An American Paratrooper using a MC1-B series parachute Paratroopers are soldiers trained in parachuting and generally operate as part of an airborne force. ... U.S. paratroopers jump into Australia on a military training exercise. ...

Notable operations

World War II

The Parachute Regiment's display team, the Red Devils at an American airshow

Combatants Allies: Poland, British Commonwealth, France/Free France, Soviet Union, United States, China, and others Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan, and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total dead: 50 million Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total dead: 12 million World War II... Download high resolution version (867x1600, 115 KB)from [1] File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Download high resolution version (867x1600, 115 KB)from [1] File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Red Devils may be: The Red Devils are the Parachute Regiments parachute display team. ...

Operation Biting - France

A Würzburg radar on the coast of France was attacked by British Paratroopers in Operation Biting on February 27, 1942. The electronics of the system were brought back to Britain for examination so that counter measures could be devised. The Würzburg radar was the primary ground-based gun laying radar for both the Luftwaffe and Wehrmacht during World War II. Initial development took place before the war, entering service in 1940. ... RAF photo-reconnaissance picture of the Bruneval Wuerzburg (the dish-shaped object in the left-foreground) The Bruneval Wuerzburg from another angle, showing the equipment in profile During World War II, Operation Biting was a Combined Operations raid to capture components of a German Wuerzburg radar set at Bruneval, France...

Operation Husky - Sicily

As part of the Operation Husky four airborne operations were carried out, landing during the night of the 9/10 July; two were British and two American. The strong winds blew the dropping aircraft off course and scattered them widely. British glider-landed troops fared badly; only 12 out of 144 gliders landing on target, many landing in the sea. Nevertheless the scattered airborne troops maximised their opportunities, attacking patrols and creating confusion wherever possible. Husky was also the codename of Australian military support to Sierra Leone ending in February 2003. ... July 9 is the 190th day of the year (191st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 175 days remaining. ... July 10 is the 191st day (192nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 174 days remaining. ... Glider infantry (sometimes referred to as Airlanding infantry) were a short-lived innovation in military tactics, used during World War II. // Early History During their rearmament prior to the War, the Germans formed large numbers of gliding clubs and schools, to train future pilots for their Luftwaffe. ...

It was during operations in North Africa that the maroon beret was first seen by German troops. Within months they had christened them Rote Teufel - Red Devils. However, this nickname was not a reference to the colour of their headgear but in fact due to the red mud that the soldiers were covered in after heavy rain.

Operation Slapstick - Southern Italy

During the Allied invasion of Italy the British 1st Airborne Division landed by sea near the port of Taranto in the 'heel' of Italy (Operation Slapstick). Their task was to capture the port and several nearby airfields and link with the British Eighth Army before pressing north to join the US Fifth Army near Foggia. This article covers the invasion of mainland Italy by the World War II Allies in September 1943 during the Italian Campaign. ... (Redirected from 1st Airborne Division) The British 1st Airborne Division was a military unit that fought in World War II. It suffered terrible casualties, especially in Operation Market Garden. ... Founded 706 BC as Taras () Region Apulia Mayor Rossana Di Bello Area  - City Proper  217 km² Population  - City (2001)  - Density (city proper) 201,349 973/km² Time zone CET, UTC+1 Latitude Longitude 40°28 N 17°14 E www. ... Operation Slapstick was a part of the Allied invasion of Italy during World War II on 9 September 1943. ... The Eighth Army was one of the best-known formations in World War II, fighting in the campaigns in North Africa and Italy. ... The US Fifth Army was one of the principal formations of the US Army in the Mediterranean during World War II. It was activated on 4 January 1943 and made responsible for the defence of Algeria and Morocco. ... Region Apulia Mayor Orazio Ciliberti Area  116 km² Population  - City (2004)  - Density 146. ...

Operation Overlord - Normandy

There were many separate airborne operations during Operation Gaylord on D-Day (June 6 1944) but broadly the task of the airborne forces was to secure the flanks of the landing beaches in Normandy. The British secured the Eastern flank in Operation Tonga. There were other operations designed to take the specific hardened targets notably the guns of the Merville gun battery. Buried under 12ft-thick concrete, the four 105 mm guns, just miles from the beaches of Sword, Juno and Gold, had the capability to engage warships out at sea and sink landing craft heading for the beaches. The task of putting them out of action fell to the 9th Parachute Brigade which they succeeded in doing for 36 hours by killing all but a handful of the gunners. Land on Normandy In military parlance, D-Day is a term often used to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. ... June 6 is the 157th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (158th in leap years), with 208 days remaining. ... Operation Tonga: Pathfinders synchronising their watches in front of an Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

Operation Dragoon - Southern France

On August 15, 1944, parachute units, which included the 4th, 5th and 6th Para battalions and lst Independent Pathfinder Platoon, dropped into Southern France between Frejus and Cannes as part of Operation Dragoon. Their objective was to capture the area, destroy all enemy positions and hold the ground until the US Seventh Army came ashore. Once they had captured their initial targets, they were reinforced by three thousand soldiers and critical equipment carried in over three hundred gliders in an operation code named Dove. The drop was almost unopposed and within days the British parachute group was withdrawn by sea to Italy in readiness for future operations. August 15 is the 227th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (228th in leap years), with 138 days remaining. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1944 calendar). ... Roman ruins, aquaduct Fréjus is a French city, in the Var département. ... Cannes (Canas in Provençal) (pronounced ) is a city and commune in southern France, located on the Riviera, in the Alpes-Maritimes département. ... A map of the operation. ... The Seventh United States Army, also known as USAREUR, is the main American force in Europe. ... In World War II, Operation Dove (Allies, 1944) was the glider-borne assault conducted as part of the invasion of southern France (Operation Dragoon) on 15 August 1944. ...

Operation Market-Garden - the Netherlands

Perhaps the most famous airborne operation of history is Operation Market Garden of September 1944, in which 35,000 troops of the First Allied Airborne Army were dropped 100 miles behind the German front lines in an attempt to create a path across the Netherlands including the bridge over the Rhine at Arnhem. Three complete airborne divisions, the British 1st Airborne Division, and the US 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, and the Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade from the Army were used. The units were dropped at various points along Highway 69 in order to create a "carpet" over which the British XXX Corps could rapidly advance. German opposition was some three times that expected, including two under-strength but very experienced panzer divisions. Although the operation had partial success in the end the British 1st Airborne division was all but destroyed and the bridge at Arnhem remained in German hands. Combatants XXX Corps First Allied Airborne Army II SS Panzer Corps Army Group B First Parachute Army Commanders Montgomery von Rundstedt Strength 35,000 airborne, XXX Corps 20,000 (start of the battle) Casualties 18,000 casualties 13,000 casualties Operation Market Garden (September 17-September 25, 1944) was an... Badge of the First Allied Airborne Army The First Allied Airborne Army was part of the Allied Expeditionary Force in North West Europe in 1944 and 1945. ... Loreley At 1,320 kilometres (820 miles) and an average discharge of more than 2,000 cubic meters per second, the Rhine (Dutch Rijn, French Rhin, German Rhein, Italian: Reno, Romansch: Rein, ) is one of the longest and most important rivers in Europe. ... Arnhem is a municipality and a city in the east of the Netherlands, located on the Lower Rhine, and the capital of the Gelderland province. ... The British 1st Airborne Division was a military unit that fought in World War II. It suffered terrible casualties, especially in Operation Market Garden. ... The 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army was Constituted in the National Army as the 82nd Division on August 5, 1917, and was Organized on August 25, 1917, at Camp Gordon, Georgia. ... The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) —nicknamed the Screaming Eagles— is an air assault division of the United States Army mainly trained for air assault operations. ... Official force name 1 Samodzielna Brygada Spadochronowa Other names 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade 1 SBS Branch Polish Army Chain of Command Directly subordinate to Polish Government in Exile In 1944 transferred under British command Description Airborne force, rapidly deployable aeromobile infantry force. ... The XXX Corps was an infantry corps in the British Army. ... PzKpfw V-D, a Panther tank   Panzer? is German for armour. ...

An interesting story arises from this episode - upon finally surrendering in the ruins of Arnhem, with no ammunition and virtually starved, a German officer reputedly said, to a British officer.. 'I fought at Stalingrad on the eastern front but I have never seen troops as good as you at cityfighting - where did you learn this?', to which the officer replied 'well it was our first time - but we'll try do better next time!'

Operation Varsity - Rhineland (Germany)

Operation Varsity - The Rhine Crossing was the biggest and most successful airborne operation in history and it marked the beginning of the end for Germany. Operation Varsity was an airborne operation towards the end of World War II, intended to gain a foothold across the River Rhine. ...

1946 – 1966

After the Second World War regular airborne forces were reduced to the 16th Independent Parachute Brigade Group while in the Territorial Army there was the 16th Airborne Division (TA), which was reduced to the 44th Independent Parachute Brigade Group (TA) in 1956. In the Suez Crisis, Operation Musketeer needed the element of total surprise to succeed, and all 660 men had to be on the ground at El Gamil airfield and ready for action within four and a half minutes. At 04.15 hours on November 5, 1956, 3 Para jumped in and although opposition was heavy, casualties were few. In the United Kingdom the Territorial Army is a part of the British Army composed of reserve units, or part-time soldiers. ... Combatants United Kingdom, Israel, France Egypt Commanders Moshe Dayan (CoS of the IDF) General Sir Charles Keightley (C-in-C), Vice-Admiral Pierre Barjot (Deputy) Gamal Abdel Nasser Strength 45,000 British, 34,000 French, 175,000 Israeli 300,000 Egyptians Casualties 189 Israelis KIA, unknown number WIA, 16 British... Military history records no less than three plans, all called Operation Musketeer: Musketeer was a four-phased plan during World War II to liberate the Philippine Islands developed by General Douglas MacArthur’s staff as part of the larger Reno V plan. ... November 5 is the 309th day of the year (310th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 56 days remaining. ...

Operated in Borneo, Malayan Emergency and Aden. Borneo (left) and Sulawesi. ... The Malayan Emergency was an insurrection and guerrilla war of the Malay Races Liberation Army against the British and Malayan administration from 1948-1960 in what is now Malaysia. ... Port of Aden (around 1910). ...

1966 – 1996

Throughout "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland, the regiment's battalions undertook many tours of duty. In 1972, while assisting the Royal Ulster Constabulary in preventing a civil rights march from taking place, 28 civilians were shot of whom 14 died [1] ) in Derry , an event which became known as Bloody Sunday. Allegations of IRA gunfire towards the Paras have gained no acceptance; and at no time did a gun-battle occur and no soldiers were injured in the engagement. None of the dead or injured were found to have either firearms or bombs. One curiosity of the day is that some Paras reported shooting more rounds than were officially issued to them. The Troubles is a generic and euphemistic term used to describe a period of sporadic communal violence involving paramilitary organisations, the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), the British Army and others in Northern Ireland from the late 1960s until the mid-1990s with the Good Friday Agreement on April 10, 1998. ... Dieu et mon droit (motto) (French for God and my right)2 Northern Irelands location within the UK Official Languages English, Irish, Ulster Scots Capital and largest city Belfast First Minister Office suspended Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Peter Hain MP Area  - Total Ranked 4th UK 13,843... The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) was name of the police force in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 2001. ... Civil rights or positive rights are those legal rights retained by citizens and protected by the government. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 54. ... Derry civil rights association banner stained with Bernard McGuigans blood after shootings On Sunday January 30, 1972, in an incident since known as Bloody Sunday, 13 people were killed (including 6 minors) and 17 others wounded by British paratroopers after a Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association march in the...

On August 27 1979 16 members of the Parachute Regiment and 2 members of the Queen's Own Highlanders were killed at Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland by 2 roadside bombs planted by the Provisional IRA. Ha Ha Ha [2]. August 27 is the 239th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (240th in leap years), with 126 days remaining. ... The Queens Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons), officially abbreviated QOH, was an infantry regiment in the Scottish Division of the British Army. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 54. ... Dieu et mon droit (motto) (French for God and my right)2 Northern Irelands location within the UK Official Languages English, Irish, Ulster Scots Capital and largest city Belfast First Minister Office suspended Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Peter Hain MP Area  - Total Ranked 4th UK 13,843... The Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) is a paramilitary group which aimed, through the use of violence, to achieve three goals: (i) British withdrawal from Ireland, (ii) the political unification of Ireland through the merger of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland , and (iii) the creation of an all...

After the Falklands War began in April 1982, 2 and 3 PARA were used to bring 3 Commando Brigade up to war-strength . The regiment played a prominent part in the conflict, two of its soldiers being awarded the Victoria Cross. The two recipients were Lieutenant-Colonel H. Jones and Sergeant Ian McKay. Palace Barracks Memorial Garden Further information:[3] The Falklands War (Spanish: Guerra de las Malvinas) was an effective state of war in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands (also known in Spanish as the Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 3 Commando Brigade is the main manoeuvre force of the British Royal Marines. ... Victoria Cross medal, ribbon, and bar. ... Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert Jones VC OBE (May 14, 1940 – May 28, 1982), who disliked his first name and was therefore known to his men and the public as H. Jones, was a posthumous British recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face... This article or section should be merged with Ian John McKay Sgt Ian McKay (died 1982) was a British soldier, and was posthumously awarded the highest award for British Military personnel - The Victoria Cross. ...

Due to defence cuts after the end of the Cold War (Options for Change), the 15th (Scottish) Battalion was reduced to a company, transferring to the 4th Battalion. The Cold War was the protracted geopolitical, ideological, and economic struggle that emerged after World War II between the global superpowers of the Soviet Union and the United States, supported by their military alliance partners. ... Options for Change was a restructuring of the British military in 1993, aimed at cutting defence spending following the end of the Cold War. ...

Served in the former Yugoslavia in 1993. Motto: none Anthem: Hej Sloveni Capital Belgrade (Executive and Legislative) Podgorica (Judicial) Largest city Belgrade Official language(s) Serbian1 Government President Svetozar Marović Reconstituted From FRY Dissolved February 4, 2003 June 5, 2006 Area    - Total 102,350 km² (105th)   39,518 sq mi   - Water (%) 0. ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ...

1996 – current

The 1st Battalion, augmented by C Company of 3 PARA, took part in the Kosovo War in 1999(Operation Joint Guardian); tasks given to the Battalion group during the invasion included a heliborne assault to secure the Kacanik pass and its strategic bridges. This was the only road between the Macedonian border and Pristina and its use was key to the followup armoured units. The term Kosovo War or Kosovo Conflict is often used to describe two sequential and at times parallel armed conflicts (a civil war followed by an international war) in the southern Serbian province called Kosovo (officially Kosovo and Metohia), part of the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ...

After the civil war in Sierra Leone deteriorated further, 1 PARA landed at the country's capital, Freetown, on 7 May 2000 to evacuate foreign nationals. The battalion was the lead element of a large naval task group, centred around HMS Ocean, that was heading for Sierra Leone as part of Operation Palliser. After the evacuation was completed, 1 PARA was tasked with retaining control of Freetown airport to ensure that UN supplies could be brought into the country, while also patrolling in the capital city. The rebel leader, Foday Sankoh, had been captured by government forces on 17 May. Operation Palliser ended on 15 June. Map of Sierra Leone showing the capital Freetown Freetown, population 1,070,200 (2004), is the largest city and capital of Sierra Leone, lying on the Freetown Peninsula on the Atlantic coast. ... May 7 is the 127th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (128th in leap years). ... This article is about the year 2000. ... Six ships that were built for the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Ocean. ... Operation Palliser was a British Armed forces operation in Sierra Leone in 2000 under the command of Brigadier David Richards. ... This article is about the United Nations, for other uses of UN see UN (disambiguation) Official languages English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Arabic Secretary-General Kofi Annan (since 1997) Established October 24, 1945 Member states 191 Headquarters New York City, NY, USA Official site http://www. ... Foday Sankoh (October 17, 1937 - July 29, 2003) was a leader of the Sierra Leone rebel faction Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in the 10-year-long Sierra Leonean civil war, which ended in 2002. ... May 17 is the 137th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (138th in leap years). ... June 15 is the 166th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (167th in leap years), with 199 days remaining. ...

After 11 soldiers of the 1st Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) and a Sierra Leonean soldier were taken hostage by a rebel faction known as the West Side Boys ( West Side Boys was the name favoured by western media, although in actuality, West Side Niggaz was the correct name) on 25 August, "A" Company of 1 PARA was deployed to Dakar, Senegal on 5 September, then onto Freetown. Five RIR soldiers had been released on 30 August but after the rebels carried out mock executions, "A Company and the Special Air Service, supported by two Army Air Corps helicopters, launched a rescue attempt (Operation Winkle) on 10 September, successfully releasing the soldiers and capturing many rebels, including their leader, Foday Kallay. In the British Army, there have been two regiments titled the Royal Irish Regiment // Royal Irish Regiment The Royal Irish Regiment was formed in 1684 by the Earl of Granard from independent companies in Ireland. ... The West Side Boys were an armed group in Sierra Leone, sometimes described as a splinter faction of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council. ... The West Side Boys were an armed group in Sierra Leone, sometimes described as a splinter faction of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council. ... The West Side Boys were an armed group in Sierra Leone, sometimes described as a splinter faction of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council. ... August 25 is the 237th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (238th in leap years), with 128 days remaining. ... (City of Dakar, divided into 19 communes darrondissement) City proper (commune) Région Dakar Département Dakar Mayor Pape Diop (PDS) (since 2002) Area 82. ... September 5 is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years). ... August 30 is the 242nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (243rd in leap years), with 123 days remaining. ... It has been suggested that SAS Troops be merged into this article or section. ... The Army Air Corps is a vital component of the British Army. ... September 10 is the 253rd day of the year (254th in leap years). ...

2 PARA took part in NATO's intervention in the Republic of Macedonia to disarm the rebel National Liberation Army in August 2001 (Operation Essential Harvest). NATO 2002 Summit in Prague The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, the Atlantic Alliance or the Western Alliance, is an international organisation for collective security established in 1949, in support of the North Atlantic Treaty signed in Washington, DC, on 4 April 1949. ... Motto: (English: ) Anthem: (Transliteration: ) (English: ) Capital Skopje Largest city Skopje Official language(s) Macedonian, Albanian1 Government Parliamentary republic  - President Branko Crvenkovski  - Prime Minister Vlado Bučkovski Independence From Yugoslavia   - Declared September 8, 1991  Area    - Total 25,333 km² (146th)   9,779 sq mi   - Water (%) 1. ... National Liberation Army is the name of several groups: Albania One of the organizations that fought to liberate Albania during World War II from Italian and German troops; see National Liberation Army (Albania), History of Albania. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ...

The 1st and 3rd Battalions together with the Pathfinder Platoon took part in Operation Telic, Britain's contribution to the 2003 invasion of Iraq that began on 20 March. The two battalions were part of 16 Air Assault Brigade. In addition to this, 120 soldiers of the Territorial Army 4 PARA were used to augment the regulars. Operation Telic is the codename under which all British operations of the 2003 Invasion of Iraq and after are being conducted. ... Combatants Coalition Forces (United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Poland) Iraq Commanders Tommy Franks Saddam Hussein Strength 263,000 375,000 The 2003 invasion of Iraq, termed Operation Iraqi Freedom by the US administration, began on March 20. ... March 20 is the 79th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (80th in Leap years). ... The 16 Air Assault Brigade (16 AAB) is a unit of the British Army. ...

The regiment was actively involved in operations leading up to the capture of Iraq's second largest city, Basra. After 7 Armoured Brigade pushed into the city on 6 April, 3 PARA cleared the 'old quarter' that was inaccessible to vehicles. Location of Basra Basra (also spelled BaÅŸrah or Basara; historically sometimes written Busra, Busrah, and the early form Bassorah; Arabic: , Al-Basrah) is the second largest city of Iraq with an estimated population of c. ... The 7th Armoured Brigade is a unit of the British Army. ... April 6 is the 96th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (97th in leap years). ...

The war officially ended on 1 May. 1 and 3 PARA remained in Iraq, operating in the British area in the south of the country. The Parachute Regiment was based in Maysan Province, mostly quiet though they did have sporadic encounters with Iraqi guerillas. A patrol of six Royal Military Policemen attached to 1 PARA were surrounded and killed on 24 June by an Iraqi mob in Majar Al-Kabir. A patrol of 1 PARA was also in the same city when it was ambushed by Iraqi guerillas, coming under very heavy attack that wounded a Para. Scmitar light tanks and a Chinook helicopter came to their assistance; the helicopter came under heavy attack, seven passengers inside being wounded. May 1 is the 121st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (122nd in leap years). ... Categories: Stub | Provinces of Iraq ... The Royal Military Police (RMP) is the military police branch of the British Army. ... June 24 is the 175th day of the year (176th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 190 days remaining. ... The Royal Air Force is the second largest operator of the Boeing CH-47 Chinook of the 16 nations which use the type. ...

Sergeant Gordon Robertson, who was part of the patrol, was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross -- the second highest award for bravery in the face of the enemy after the Victoria Cross -- as part of the awards list in October. It was the first CGC to be awarded to the Parachute Regiment. The Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC) is a British military decoration that was introduced in the 1993 review of the honours structure, replacing the Distinguished Service Order, the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal. ... Victoria Cross medal, ribbon, and bar. ...

1 and 3 PARA left Iraq along with the rest of 16 Air Assault Brigade in June.

Roulemont tours to Iraq continued for all Battalions of the Regiment as part of Operation Telic; 2 PARA deployed in November 2003 on a 6-month tour-of-duty as part of 20 Armoured Brigade, and once again in November 2005 as part of 7 Armoured Brigade. Meanwhile 3 PARA sent two Companies to support 12 Mechanised Brigade on Op Telic 6 in 2004. As well as individual reinforcements to all battalions Casino Company of 4 PARA deployed to Iraq in October 2005 for 6 months as part of the Divisional Rear Operations Battle Group (1 Royal Irish, later replaced by 1 Royal Scots in Jan 06).

The Regiment has lost three soldiers in Iraq; Private Andrew Kelly of 3 PARA and Captain Richard Holmes and Private Lee Ellis of 2 PARA.

In January 2006 16 Air Assault Brigade were tasked to provide a single Airborne Infantry Battle Group (3 PARA) for operations in Afghanistan as part of Operation Herrick. The 16 Air Assault Brigade (16 AAB) is a unit of the British Army. ...

Battle honours

• The Second World War: Bruneval, Normandy Landing, Pegasus Bridge, Merville Battery, Bréville, Dives Crossing, La Toucques Crossing, Arnhem 1944, Ourthe, Rhine, Southern France, North-West Europe 1942 ?44-45, Soudia, Oudna, Djebel Azzag 1943, Djebel Alliliga, El Hadjeba, Tamera, Djebel Dahra, Kef el Debna, North Africa 1942-43, Primosole Bridge, Sicily 1943, Taranto, Orsogna, Italy 1943-44, Athens, Greece 1944-45
• Goose Green, Mount Longdon, Wireless Ridge, Falkland Islands 1982, Al-Basrah, Iraq 2003

Combatants Allied Powers Nazi Germany Commanders Dwight D. Eisenhower (Supreme Allied Commander) Bernard Montgomery (land) Bertram Ramsay (sea) Trafford Leigh-Mallory (air) Gerd von Rundstedt (OB WEST) Erwin Rommel (Heeresgruppe B) Strength 326,000 (by June 11) Unknown Casualties 53,700 dead, 18,000 missing 155,000 wounded 200,000... Pegasus Bridge before its replacement Pegasus was the name given to a bridge over the Caen canal, near the town of Ouistreham. ... Operation Market Garden was an Allied military operation in World War II, which took place in September 1944. ... Operation Varsity was an airborne operation towards the end of World War II, intended to gain a foothold across the River Rhine. ... During World War II the North African Campaign, also known as the Desert War, took place in the North African desert from September 13, 1940 (The USA started to directly supply the British in this effort on May 11, 1942) to May 13, 1943. ... Husky was also the codename of Australian military support to Sierra Leone ending in February 2003. ... The Battle of Goose Green (May 27–28 1982) was an engagement of the Falklands War between British and Argentinian forces. ... The Battle of Mount Longdon was an engagement of the Falklands War between British and Argentinian forces, which took place on the 11th/12 June 1982. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

Order of Precedence

In the British Army, there have been two regiments titled the Royal Irish Regiment // Royal Irish Regiment The Royal Irish Regiment was formed in 1684 by the Earl of Granard from independent companies in Ireland. ... For the purposes of parading, the British Army is listed according to an order of precedence. ... The Royal Gurkha Rifles is a regiment of the British Army, forming part of the Brigade of Gurkhas. ...

See also

• Pathfinder Platoon
• United Kingdom Special Forces
• British Army
• Modern equipment and uniform of the British Army

{{ The Pathfinder Platoon is an elite unit within the British Armys 16 Air Assault Brigade and is a part of the Parachute Regiment. ... The United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) is an umbrella directorate overseeing the Special Forces units of the British Armed Forces. ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... This is a list of some of the equipment in use by the modern British Army. ...

External links

• Official MOD Regimental Website
• Parachute Regiment on Regiments.org
• http://www.parachuteregiment-hsf.org/
• http://www.palacebarracksmemorialgarden.org