During the 1930’s, the new regime in Germany showed a lot of interest in parachutes and gliders and their potential to insert lightly armed forces behind the enemy’s front line. After their spectacular successes in the early stages of the war, particularly the capture of Fort Eben Emael in Belgium, Churchill ordered the British Army to create a similar force of its own. Volunteers were called for and many soldiers signed up hoping for a chance to hit back.

The emphasis was on training, physical fitness and an independent spirit. Two Airborne Divisions were created, 1st Airborne Division, who were to take part in the heroic action at Arnhem in September 1944, and 6th Airborne, who took part in the Normandy landings in June of that year. There were no numbers Two to Five, this was a ruse to confuse the enemy into thinking that six full Airborne Divisions had been created.

Foreign nationals were included in the Divisions, part of 1st Airborne being made up of Poles, and the Canadian Parachute Battalion was included in the 6th.

The invasion of Sicily in July 1943 was their first major airborne action and for them it was a disaster. Gliders were released too soon and landed in the sea where they rapidly sank, drowning their occupants. The parachute drops were widely scattered. Lessons for the invasion of Fortress Europe and the creation of the second front were learned the hard way.

On the night of 5th/6th June 1944, 6th Airborne Division took off in gliders and transport aircraft bound for Normandy. Three gliders landed within a stone’s throw of two vital bridges crossing the Orne river and Caen canal. The defenders were taken completely by surprise, the vital bridges were captured intact with minimal losses and a legend was born.