6th Airborne Division (United Kingdom)

6th Airborne Division (United Kingdom) was a British Army airborne forces formation created during the Second World War. It played a pivotal role in the Normandy landings and the final Allied advance from Paris to the Rhine, earning a formidable reputation. After the war, it undertook significant internal security duties in Mandatory Palestine before being disbanded and later briefly revived during the Cold War.

History

The division was formed in May 1943 under the command of Major-General Richard Nelson Gale, as part of the rapid expansion of British airborne forces following the success of German paratroopers earlier in the conflict. Its initial training was conducted at various locations including Bulford Camp on Salisbury Plain. Following its distinguished service in the European theatre of World War II, the division was deployed to the Middle East in 1945. There, it was engaged in the complex and challenging Palestine Emergency until it was disbanded in 1948. The formation was reactivated in 1960 as part of the Strategic Reserve, primarily based in the United Kingdom, before being finally disbanded in 1977.

Organisation

The division's core combat elements were its two parachute infantry brigades, the 3rd and 5th Parachute Brigades, and the 6th Airlanding Brigade which utilized gliders for deployment. Supporting arms included the 53rd (Worcester Yeomanry) Airlanding Light Regiment, Royal Artillery and the 6th Airborne Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment. Key divisional troops comprised the 22nd Independent Parachute Company (pathfinders), the Royal Engineers, and signals units from the Royal Corps of Signals. This structure was designed for rapid deployment and self-sufficiency in the opening phases of major operations.

Operations

The division's first and most famous operation was Operation Tonga, the British airborne component of D-Day, on 6 June 1944. Its objectives were to secure the eastern flank of the Allied invasion by destroying bridges over the River Dives and holding the vital Pegasus Bridge over the Caen Canal. After fighting in the Battle of Normandy, it was withdrawn to England in September. The division returned to combat in March 1945 for Operation Varsity, the airborne assault across the Rhine, working alongside the US 17th Airborne Division. After the German surrender, it was sent to Mandatory Palestine to confront Jewish insurgent groups like the Irgun and Lehi.

Commanders

The division was led by several notable officers during its existence. Its first and most celebrated commander was Major-General Richard Nelson Gale, who oversaw its formation and the success of Operation Tonga. He was succeeded in 1944 by Brigadier James Hill who served as acting commander, before Major-General Eric Bols took permanent command, leading the division through Operation Varsity and the advance across Germany. Post-war commanders during the Palestine deployment included Major-General Hugh Stockwell. Upon its reactivation, commanders included Major-General Mervyn Butler.

Insignia and uniforms

Personnel wore the distinctive maroon beret common to all British airborne forces, with the cap badge of their parent regiment or corps. The divisional insignia, worn on the sleeve, depicted the Greek hero Bellerophon riding the winged horse Pegasus in black on a maroon square background. This famous emblem, designed by the novelist Daphne du Maurier, was later adopted by the post-war 16th Parachute Brigade. In the field, soldiers wore the standard Battle Dress or Denison smock, with paratrooper boots and webbing.

Category:Airborne divisions of the British Army Category:Military units and formations established in 1943