John G Hutton | ParaData

John G Hutton, from Gateshead-on-Tyne, joined the Army 19 July 1939 and served with 58 SL Royal Artillery before volunteering for The Parachute Regiment.

The details of his parachute jump instruction at RAF Ringway are unknown, but it was probably in early 1942.

He served with 1st Parachute Bn, T Coy, 11 Pln in N.Africa, Sicily, Italy and Arnhem. During Op. Market Garden he was taken POW and held in Stalag 12A.

John joined the Reserves 30 July 1946.

Operations

Event

Arnhem (Operation Market Garden)

1st Allied Airborne Corps, which included the American 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, was tasked to secure the main canal and river crossings between Eindhoven and Arnhem.

Event

Italy

The Italians had capitulated while the force was still at sea. The sinking of HMS Abdiel by a mine in the harbour, however, resulted in the loss of 130 soldiers from 6th (Royal Welch) Parachute Battalion including their Commanding Officer.

Event

North Africa (Operation Torch)

On 12 November the 3rd Parachute Battalion (3 Para Bn) jumped onto and seized the vital airfield at Bone between Algiers and Tunis, arriving barely before German paratroopers deployed for the same mission.

Event

Sicily (Operation Husky)

Speed was essential to prevent the consolidation of Italian and German defences facing a rapid pincer movement launched from the west and south east immediately after the amphibious landings. Key bridges and ports were to be captured by airborne assault.

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Private John G Hutton

Operations

Arnhem (Operation Market Garden)

Italy

North Africa (Operation Torch)

Sicily (Operation Husky)

Latest Comments

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Private John G Hutton

Operations

Arnhem (Operation Market Garden)

Italy

North Africa (Operation Torch)

Sicily (Operation Husky)

Latest Comments

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