Testimony of Sgt Frederick Glover, A Company, 9th Parachute Battalion, 6th Airborne Division.
Testimony: Sgt Frederick Glover. A Company, 9th Parachute Battalion, 6th Airborne Division.
The 9th (Essex) Parachute Battalion was formed from the 10th Battalion The Essex Regiment in December 1942 and became part of the 3rd Parachute Brigade with the 6th Airborne Division in 1943.
The Battalion was widely scattered during the D-Day drop on 6th June 1944 but, nevertheless, succeeded in storming the German gun battery at Merville, in an epic and costly action with a much diminished force. It fought around Breville and then participated in the break-out to the Seine in August. It fought in the Ardennes during the winter of 1944-5 and parachuted as part of the Rhine Crossings during Operation VARSITY in March 1945, subsequently advancing to the Baltic with the 3rd Parachute Brigade.
After the war it served in Palestine with the 6th Airborne Division and was amalgamated with the 8th Parachute Battalion when the 3rd Brigade was disbanded to form the 8th/9th Parachute Battalion in January 1948.
Commanding Officers:
1943-4 Lt Col M Lindsay
1944 Lt Col TBH Otway, DSO
1944-6 Lt Col N Crookenden, DSO
1946-7 Lt Col MAH Butler, DSO, MC
1947-8 Lt Col PC Hinde, DSO
1948 Lt Col JHM Hackett, DSO. (8th/9th Bn)
Make a donation to Airborne Assault ParaData to help preserve the history of The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces
The Airborne Shop is the official shop of Support Our Paras (The Parachute Regiment Charity RCN1131977).
Profits from all sales made through our shop go directly to Support Our Paras, so every purchase you make with us will directly benefit The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces.
Latest Comments
There are currently no comments for this content.
Add Comment
In order to add comments you must be registered with ParaData.
If you are currently a ParaData member please login.
If you are not currently a ParaData member but wish to get involved please register.