2nd (Independent) Parachute Brigade

On 17th July 1942 the 2nd Parachute Brigade was formed under Brigadier Eric Down. The 4th Parachute Battalion was transferred from the 1st Parachute Brigade to provide the initial nucleus, followed by the addition of the 5th and 6th Parachute Battalions. This formed part of the process to bring the 1st Airborne Division up to a full establishment of three brigades.

The 2nd Brigade fought in North Africa and Italy between 1942-3. When the 1st Airborne Division returned to the UK in November 1943 to prepare for D-Day the 2nd Brigade remained in Italy and was retitled the 2nd (Independent) Parachute Brigade in December. It was to remain in Italy as line infantry and in the airborne role until the end of the war.

The 2nd (Independent) Brigade parachuted into Southern France in August 1944 as part of Operation DRAGOON and occupied Athens in the autumn and winter of 1944-5, before returning to Italy. It was renamed 2nd Parachute Brigade after the war and was sent to Palestine with the 6th Airborne Division in 1945. It was disbanded in the UK in October 1947.

Order of Battle:

4th Bn Parachute Regiment: 1 Aug 1942
5th Bn Parachute Regiment: 1 Aug 1942
6th Bn Parachute Regiment: 1 Aug 1942

Other Assigned Units 1942-1945

300th Airlanding AT Battery RA: 8 Dec 1943
64th Airlanding Battery RA: 23 Jun 1944 - 25 Jun 1945
2nd Parachute Sqn RE: 17 Nov 1943
2nd Indep Parachute Bde Gp Signals: 17 Nov 1943
1st Indep Glider Sqn AAC: 20 Nov 1943
23rd Indep Platoon Parachute Regiment: 17 Nov 1943
751st Parachute Bde Coy RASC: 18 Nov 1943
127th Parachute Field Ambulance: 17 Nov 1943
2nd Indep Para Bde Gp Workshop REME: 20 Nov 1943

Commanders:

Brig E.E. Down 30 Jul 1942
Brig C.H.V. Pritchard11 Sep 1943
Col T.C.H. Pearson (acting) 1 Mar 1944
Brig C.H.V. Pritchard 6 Mar 1944
Col T.C.H. Pearson (acting) 22 Aug 1944
Brig C.H.V. Pritchard 29 Aug 1944
Col T.C.H. Pearson (acting) 13 Nov 1944: v 9 Dec 1944: Brig C.H.V. Pritchard
Col H.B. Coxen (acting) 9 Feb 1945
Brig C.H.V. Pritchard 28 Feb 1945
Col H.B. Coxen (acting) 1 Jun 1945
Brig C.H.V. Pritchard 26 Jun 1945