1st Canadian Parachute Battalion.
The 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion was formed in July 1942 during the Second World War; it served in North West Europe. Landing in Normandy on D Day, June 6, 1944 and in the airborne assault crossing of the River Rhine, Operation Varsity. After the end of hostilities in Europe, the Battalion was returned to Canada where it was disbanded on 30 September 1945.
By the end of the war the battalion had gained a remarkable reputation: they never failed to complete a mission, and they never gave up an objective once taken. They are the only Canadians to participate in the Battle of the Bulge and had advanced deeper than any other Canadian unit into enemy territory.
The 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion was formed in July 1942 during the Second World War; it served in North West Europe. Landing in Normandy on D Day, June 6, 1944 and in the airborne assault crossing of the River Rhine, Operation Varsity. After the end of hostilities in Europe, the Battalion was returned to Canada where it was disbanded on 30 September 1945.
By the end of the war the battalion had gained a remarkable reputation: they never failed to complete a mission, and they never gave up an objective once taken. They are the only Canadians to participate in the Battle of the Bulge and had advanced deeper than any other Canadian unit into enemy territory.
The First Canadian Parachute Battalion was formed in July 1942 with volunteers for parachute service. The first volunteers were trained at Fort Benning (USA) and at Ringway (now Manchester Airport) until the creation of the Canadian jump school at Camp Shilo Manitoba.
Training began and the first recruits 31 officers and 775 ORs were sent to Fort Benning and another group to RAF Ringway to get the most out of each individual programme prior to Camp Shilo’s formation. A year later the battalion was sent to England and were they were placed under the command of the 3rd Parachute Brigade of the 6th Airborne Division. This presented many a legal and administrative problem to Canadian HQ so it was decided that the battalion was placed in combination so that overall control would fall under the authority of General McNaughton’s Canadian first army HQ, which was administered by CMHQ. This option still provided the British with operational control however it recognised that the men of the battalion would remain under Canadian military law.
They were then issued with British paratrooper clothing and equipment they began training to be up to the same physical standards and proficiency with weapons as their British counterparts. The recruits that had trained in the U.S also had to be retrained on the British X-type parachute which unlike its American counterpart didn’t have a reserve and the canopy deployed later, they also had to be trained to drop out of the bottom of the whitely bomber rather than jump out of the side door of the Dakota C-47.
Then came the most pivotal date in the battalion’s history June 5th 1944, the drop zone for 1st can para was just west of Varaville. The first Canadians in were C company under the command of Major H.M MacLeod who dropped with the 22nd independent parachute company and headed into Varaville to destroy the garrison, radio equipment and neutralise an enemy gun position to the east of the town. Then they were assigned to destroy the bridge over the river over the Divette stream, once this was accomplished they moved to the battalion rendezvous at Les Mesnil.
Training began and the first recruits 31 officers and 775 ORs were sent to Fort Benning and another group to RAF Ringway to get the most out of each individual programme prior to Camp Shilo’s formation. A year later the battalion was sent to England and were they were placed under the command of the 3rd Parachute Brigade of the 6th Airborne Division. This presented many a legal and administrative problem to Canadian HQ so it was decided that the battalion was placed in combination so that overall control would fall under the authority of General McNaughton’s Canadian first army HQ, which was administered by CMHQ. This option still provided the British with operational control however it recognised that the men of the battalion would remain under Canadian military law.
They were then issued with British paratrooper clothing and equipment they began training to be up to the same physical standards and proficiency with weapons as their British counterparts. The recruits that had trained in the U.S also had to be retrained on the British X-type parachute which unlike its American counterpart didn’t have a reserve and the canopy deployed later, they also had to be trained to drop out of the bottom of the whitely bomber rather than jump out of the side door of the Dakota C-47.
Then came the most pivotal date in the battalion’s history June 5th 1944, the drop zone for 1st can para was just west of Varaville. The first Canadians in were C company under the command of Major H.M MacLeod who dropped with the 22nd independent parachute company and headed into Varaville to destroy the garrison, radio equipment and neutralise an enemy gun position to the east of the town. Then they were assigned to destroy the bridge over the river over the Divette stream, once this was accomplished they moved to the battalion rendezvous at Les Mesnil.
A company under the command of Major D Wilikins captured the heights of Le Plein once there they were to capture and consolidate the ground around the Les Mesnil crossraods. Then when Lord Lovats special service brigade linked up with Otway at Le Plein, they were to move to occupy the high ground around the Chateau St Come on the left flank of the Canadians.
B Company under Major F Clayton had two hours after landing to destroy the bridge over the river Dives at Robehomme. They then defended that position until told to move to join the rest of the battalion at Les Mesnil.
The battalion went on to serve with the British 6th airborne and fought in the Ardennes; operation Varsity and finished the war in Wismar Germany. The battalion was soon disbanded a few months after the end of hostilities, and remains one of the few units to never have failed to take an objective.
B Company under Major F Clayton had two hours after landing to destroy the bridge over the river Dives at Robehomme. They then defended that position until told to move to join the rest of the battalion at Les Mesnil.
The battalion went on to serve with the British 6th airborne and fought in the Ardennes; operation Varsity and finished the war in Wismar Germany. The battalion was soon disbanded a few months after the end of hostilities, and remains one of the few units to never have failed to take an objective.
Uniforms.
After the issue of British kit following the Battalions deployment to Britain the following shows the differences between what everyone in the 6th were issued with the Canadian kit. Anything not listed would have been standard British Issue
After the issue of British kit following the Battalions deployment to Britain the following shows the differences between what everyone in the 6th were issued with the Canadian kit. Anything not listed would have been standard British Issue
The Canadian Battledress is a slightly green colour rather than khaki and resembles the British 37 pattern is design. However it was of a higher quality than the British equivalent, note the insignia which on the battledress is: Canadian Jump Wings, Gold band (to denote being Canadian within 6th Airborne), 1st Can para shoulder tab, Pegasus Patch, Airborne Tab (up to late 44) and any rank/trade or citations earned.
Those paratroopers who qualified at Fort Benning where given the US Sterling silver Jump pin and U.S jump boots and were allowed to wear them throughout the war.
Those paratroopers who qualified at Fort Benning where given the US Sterling silver Jump pin and U.S jump boots and were allowed to wear them throughout the war.