I had a freind called Jim Sweet who trained at Ringway, was a paratrooper and jumped fir Churchill. He was stationed at Congleton where he met his future wife Joyce. He was selected for SAS and made Sargent. In heaven now bless him he passed on 2010
So proud of my grandad who was in 12 Para Bn. He jumped into Normandy on DDay (Tonga), fought in Breville and Ardennes and jumped the Rhine (Varsity), then served in SE Asia and Palestine. Nails. ❤️ 🪂
The Paras did their parachute jumps at Ringway (now Manchester airport). The front gate to the then barracks can still be found on Simonsway, and you can find them on the Atlas Business Park. 53°22'18.6"N 2°14'39.7"W
My uncle Robert Evison was in the airbourne in ww2 served with the 6th airbourne division 13th battalion , 5th parachute brigade, took part in operation varsity known as the Rhine jump , and fought in the Ardennes , and at the battle for the town of Bure. Love and respect for you Bob.
If it was my uncle trained there, but broke his leg, so was rejected. He returned to his original regiment later, and ended up quartermaster, in Italy.
Amazing how fast these guys are coming down when jumping from the aircraft. I made a balloon jump with a British parachute back in 1975 near the Salisbury Plain as part of an AMF(L) exercise. We were in the UK from Vicenza Italy (1/509th ABCT). My jump record says it was at Drop Zone Hawkley. The only RAF bases I can find near the Salisbury Plain are RAF Leinham and RAF Fairford. Would any of you Brits know offhand where DZ Hawkley would be?
Hi Des, I was in 1 Para 84-91, we were in Bulford early 80's as part of AMF(L) Arctic Warfare (we finished that role in 87). We came to Vicenza for a short exchange, with some US Abn (3/325th ABCT). Not sure who you may have 'exchanged with' in 1975 - however our Airborne Home was the town of Aldershot in Hampshire. The Parachute training was usually mounted from Lyneham as you mentioned for C130s, however 'Tethered Baloons' were also used (Holywood style) in 'Hankley Common' - a heathland not too far from Aldershot. Main Training DZ's were usually on Salisbury Plain as we did not have access to 'real estate' like the 82nd in Bragg (I also spent a week or so with the 2/504 (if I remember correctly) in Bragg, but after 1 Para had returned to Aldershot and normal Abn duties. The resources and land available to 82nd was immense in comparison. The places I mention can be found on most map applications if you searched online.
@@alexanderperry1844 hello, have you ever jump sir Perry???? a lot off nylon above your helmet can save your live , i jump with the T A P 656 and a lot off parachuts M C 4 too
@@robertneven7563 I have, and I was always glad to see the canopy open! During WWII troops could be dropped from as low as 1-200m. If the primary chute failed the soldier would have only a few seconds to realise and try to deploy a reserve, which would not have time to deploy. The British accepted this as part of the cost of doing the business, whereas the Americans issued reserve parachutes. As I said, it is better to pack the primary CAREFULLY ..... :-))
My dad did his training at Ringway in 1945, jumping out of a hole in the floor, my dad thought it was an Albemarle, but was in fact a Whitley, many troops had their noses broke as the hole was quite small if you did not get it right, served in Germany and Palestine until 1948, some of his platoon were at Arnhem, luckily my dad was too young, he remembers one chap liked eating insects because at the time there was no food for the troops at Arnhem so they eat what they could find
Did these guys not chose to leave the Guards to become join the Commandos, with No.2 Commando, and then the (No. 2 Cdo) The 11th Special Air Service Battalion (a cover name to confuse the Germans) for Parachute Training? Similarly, Capt. David Sritling had left the Guards to join the Commandos prior to him forming 'L' Detatchment - The Special Air Sercvice' (another cover name until 2 Cdo became 'The Parachute Regiment', leaving L' Det to beome The Special Air Service).
The fittest generation ever partly due to manual work as not as many labour saving device's but the chap who worked out the ration diet got it spot on and without a computer
At the end of the war, one of those RAF parachute instructors ended up getting an AFC by the King for his outstanding performance training thousands of paratroopers.
Obviously balloons were used to save money Cheaper than using aircraft But in combat jumps planes and Gliders used Apparently Micky marcus jumped Into normandy without training And survived Also many volunteers jumped into dienbienphu without training also!
Gliders were not used for parachute troops - only air landing (Eben Emeal and Pegasus Bridge being noteworthy examples) Dien Bien Phu - Folly on an epic scale ....
@@madisntit6547 Absolutely right, the early British Slingsby Hengist glider had provision for parachutists to jump from them but, as you say, they were never used in battle. The British found one of the benefits of using balloons for initial training was that people were much more likely to "freeze" and refuse to jump in the quiet of a balloon than in the noise of an aircraft. This made sorting out those who were unsuitable for training as a parachutist much simpler. It also has the advantage that someone who "freezes" in a balloon can easily be pulled aside and the rest of the stick allowed to jump, while someone who wedges themselves in the doorway of an aircraft is much harder to pull back, and the aircraft would probably have to go around again to let the rest of the students jump (I know of one instance where a student lodged himself in the doorway of an aircraft until it landed!).
The main recruits for the parachute regiment and SAS in those days were from the household division because they were generally bigger, stronger and fitter than the rest of the army, correct me if I'm wrong.
@@kevinadamson5768 L Detachment had 60 men, and was a new set up. When you get into the mass training of 2 divisions you have to consider size due to exit restrictions from the aircraft. Yes there were tall chaps here and there, but they certainly didn’t look for massive blokes to join.
@@kevinadamson5768 I have copies of the parachute training manual from 1944, happy to email it to you? Height MUST be less than 72 inches and weight MUST be less that 182 lb’s.
@@clothcapkev2088 Don’t you know about the transgender Warrant Officer at 11 EOD Regt RLC in Didcot, Oxfordshire? That’s the way forward for the British army. He/She/It has lots of supporters.
I had a freind called Jim Sweet who trained at Ringway, was a paratrooper and jumped fir Churchill. He was stationed at Congleton where he met his future wife Joyce. He was selected for SAS and made Sargent. In heaven now bless him he passed on 2010
I love these old newsreels.
Thank you to the brave men who helped to liberate Europe. You make me proud to be British.🇬🇧
So proud of my grandad who was in 12 Para Bn. He jumped into Normandy on DDay (Tonga), fought in Breville and Ardennes and jumped the Rhine (Varsity), then served in SE Asia and Palestine. Nails. ❤️ 🪂
Frank Carson and Bernard Cribbens were the names of two famous Paras who were in Palestine
The Paras did their parachute jumps at Ringway (now Manchester airport). The front gate to the then barracks can still be found on Simonsway, and you can find them on the Atlas Business Park. 53°22'18.6"N 2°14'39.7"W
My uncle Robert Evison was in the airbourne in ww2 served with the 6th airbourne division 13th battalion , 5th parachute brigade, took part in operation varsity known as the Rhine jump , and fought in the Ardennes , and at the battle for the town of Bure. Love and respect for you Bob.
My grandad was in 12 Para Bn !
This may very well have been at RAF Ringway (Manchester Airport) with the tethered balloons being in Tatton Park Knutsford.
If it was my uncle trained there, but broke his leg, so was rejected.
He returned to his original regiment later, and ended up quartermaster, in Italy.
Amazing how fast these guys are coming down when jumping from the aircraft. I made a balloon jump with a British parachute back in 1975 near the Salisbury Plain as part of an AMF(L) exercise. We were in the UK from Vicenza Italy (1/509th ABCT). My jump record says it was at Drop Zone Hawkley. The only RAF bases I can find near the Salisbury Plain are RAF Leinham and RAF Fairford. Would any of you Brits know offhand where DZ Hawkley would be?
I suspect this was Hankley Common. It’s some distance from Salisbury Plain, being in Surrey, near Hindhead.
I jumped with you boys in Vicenza in 1997. Great times on Juliet Drop Zone.
Hi Des, I was in 1 Para 84-91, we were in Bulford early 80's as part of AMF(L) Arctic Warfare (we finished that role in 87). We came to Vicenza for a short exchange, with some US Abn (3/325th ABCT). Not sure who you may have 'exchanged with' in 1975 - however our Airborne Home was the town of Aldershot in Hampshire. The Parachute training was usually mounted from Lyneham as you mentioned for C130s, however 'Tethered Baloons' were also used (Holywood style) in 'Hankley Common' - a heathland not too far from Aldershot. Main Training DZ's were usually on Salisbury Plain as we did not have access to 'real estate' like the 82nd in Bragg (I also spent a week or so with the 2/504 (if I remember correctly) in Bragg, but after 1 Para had returned to Aldershot and normal Abn duties. The resources and land available to 82nd was immense in comparison. The places I mention can be found on most map applications if you searched online.
@@huwshepheard3075 he would know if it was Hankley Common. He would still be pulling the bloody gorse needles out of his backside.
Balloon jumps . Those were the days. great experience.
Brilliant, and no reserve parachutes. Terrible landings thou!
Apparently the civil service said it would cost too much. Note no civil servants in the parachute regiment!!!
@@maxbodymass6288 When jumping at low altitudes, reserve chutes are irrelevant. Better to pack the primary CAREFULLY .....
@@alexanderperry1844 hello, have you ever jump sir Perry???? a lot off nylon above your helmet can save your live , i jump with the T A P 656 and a lot off parachuts M C 4 too
@@robertneven7563 I have, and I was always glad to see the canopy open!
During WWII troops could be dropped from as low as 1-200m. If the primary chute failed the soldier would have only a few seconds to realise and try to deploy a reserve, which would not have time to deploy. The British accepted this as part of the cost of doing the business, whereas the Americans issued reserve parachutes. As I said, it is better to pack the primary CAREFULLY ..... :-))
P L F s???????????????????????????
My dad did his training at Ringway in 1945, jumping out of a hole in the floor, my dad thought it was an Albemarle, but was in fact a Whitley, many troops had their noses broke as the hole was quite small if you did not get it right, served in Germany and Palestine until 1948, some of his platoon were at Arnhem, luckily my dad was too young, he remembers one chap liked eating insects because at the time there was no food for the troops at Arnhem so they eat what they could find
Training was done at Manchester airport
My dad was in paras. During Second World War. Really proud of him. God Bless Dad
Mine too. They had big hearts ...
Just like now, the Guards have to be front and centre.
Did these guys not chose to leave the Guards to become join the Commandos, with No.2 Commando, and then the (No. 2 Cdo) The 11th Special Air Service Battalion (a cover name to confuse the Germans) for Parachute Training? Similarly, Capt. David Sritling had left the Guards to join the Commandos prior to him forming 'L' Detatchment - The Special Air Sercvice' (another cover name until 2 Cdo became 'The Parachute Regiment', leaving L' Det to beome The Special Air Service).
Excellent, I had friends and colleagues from this era
All fit and lean in those days, none of your KFC and McDonald's.
,🎯👌
Shame. I love KFC 🍗 😋
The fittest generation ever partly due to manual work as not as many labour saving device's but the chap who worked out the ration diet got it spot on and without a computer
"Up 800, 4 men jumping" I hated the balloon lol.
At the end of the war, one of those RAF parachute instructors ended up getting an AFC by the King for his outstanding performance training thousands of paratroopers.
Lutener?
Obviously balloons were used to save money
Cheaper than using aircraft
But in combat jumps planes and
Gliders used
Apparently Micky marcus jumped
Into normandy without training
And survived
Also many volunteers jumped into dienbienphu without training also!
Gliders were not used for parachute troops - only air landing (Eben Emeal and Pegasus Bridge being noteworthy examples)
Dien Bien Phu - Folly on an epic scale ....
@@madisntit6547 Absolutely right, the early British Slingsby Hengist glider had provision for parachutists to jump from them but, as you say, they were never used in battle. The British found one of the benefits of using balloons for initial training was that people were much more likely to "freeze" and refuse to jump in the quiet of a balloon than in the noise of an aircraft. This made sorting out those who were unsuitable for training as a parachutist much simpler. It also has the advantage that someone who "freezes" in a balloon can easily be pulled aside and the rest of the stick allowed to jump, while someone who wedges themselves in the doorway of an aircraft is much harder to pull back, and the aircraft would probably have to go around again to let the rest of the students jump (I know of one instance where a student lodged himself in the doorway of an aircraft until it landed!).
WOMEN! ... KNOW YOUR LIMITS !
Yes Mr Chomley-Warner! 😂
literally the last you tube video I watched was that one )
@@bugler75 loved it, bet the politically correct mob would be in meltdown these days!! it's why TVs boring now
@@johnfrancis2215 It was hilarious, I loved Harry Enfield at the time!
Daphne. We're going home!
Evelyn Waugh did his parachute training at Ringway aerodrome Manchester…..
All I hear is Tom and Jerry soundtracks.
Women. Know your limits!
The main recruits for the parachute regiment and SAS in those days were from the household division because they were generally bigger, stronger and fitter than the rest of the army, correct me if I'm wrong.
@The Richest Man In Babylon I'm not it's a fact.
Except there was a height and weight limit, so not a true statement old boy!
@@alex1975uk how come David Sterling and Paddy Marine got in then, both well over 6 ft.?
@@kevinadamson5768 L Detachment had 60 men, and was a new set up. When you get into the mass training of 2 divisions you have to consider size due to exit restrictions from the aircraft. Yes there were tall chaps here and there, but they certainly didn’t look for massive blokes to join.
@@kevinadamson5768 I have copies of the parachute training manual from 1944, happy to email it to you? Height MUST be less than 72 inches and weight MUST be less that 182 lb’s.
All we have today is Eddie Izzard types hanging around children’s playgrounds….
BullS**t the paras are just as capable today as they ever were, as most soldiers are, give em some credit.
@@clothcapkev2088 Don’t you know about the transgender Warrant Officer at 11 EOD Regt RLC in Didcot, Oxfordshire? That’s the way forward for the British army. He/She/It has lots of supporters.
Be fair, the idea of Izzard dropping on me with a parachute quite puts me off my cornflakes! lol