American WWII Airborne Units

Airborne, Definition of

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning. The formations are limited only by the number and size of their aircraft, so given enough capacity a huge force can appear "out of nowhere" in minutes, an action referred to as vertical envelopment.

Conversely, airborne forces typically lack the supplies and equipment for prolonged combat operations, and are therefore more suited for airhead operations than long-term occupation; furthermore, parachute operations are particularly sensitive to adverse weather conditions. Advances in helicopter technology since World War II have brought increased flexibility to the scope of airborne operations, and helicopters have largely replaced large-scale parachute operations, and (almost) completely replaced combat glider operations. However, due to the limited range of helicopters and the limited number of troops that can be transported by them many countries retain Paratroopers as a valuable strategic asset.

U.S. Airborne Forces

The Allies had learned better tactics and logistics from their earlier airborne drops, and these lessons were applied for the assaults along the Western Front.

Operation Overlord: D-Day

One of the most famous of airborne operations was Operation Overlord on D-Day June 6, 1944. The task of the airborne forces was to secure the flanks of the landing beaches in Normandy. The British glider transported troops and paratroopers secured the Eastern flank in Operation Tonga of which Pegasus Bridge is the best remembered objective. Another objective was the Merville gun battery. The American glider and parachute infantry of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, though widely scattered by poor weather and poorly marked landing zones, secured the western flank in Operation Chicago and Operation Detroit with heavy casualties. All together the casualties of the Airborne at D-Day total around 23,000.

Reenacting the Airborne

There are many units today and some are different than others. Check out each group carefully to make sure that you'll fit in. Some units have differing levels of authenticity; some groups like to do more tactical stuff while other units prefer to do a lot of living history or "being there" type events. Look at a number of units before deciding. :-)

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U.S. Airborne Units
	WWII Airborne Demonstration Team (USA)--Wearing jumpsuits as a standard-these guys actually jump out of C47s. They are very "in" to living history and education. The WWII Airborne Demonstration Team Foundation was formed to honor and serve the memory of those men who fought and died to preserve America's freedom during WWII as members of Airborne units of the United States Army. The activities of the Foundation also recognize and honor those who served and survived that conflict. The foundation serves that honorable purpose through the participation of its members in active parachute jumping in the style of the WWII airborne soldier utilizing an aircraft that actually participated in the Normandy invasion of France in June, 1944. These activities serve to further the memory of their unbending loyalty to the cause of freedom. Further, it is the goal of the Foundation to foster, promote and engage in research of WWII airborne operations and military history and to inform and educate the public through airborne operations demonstrations throughout the United States.
The First Allied Airborne Association (UK) -- The Association has it's own museum currently based at Station X, Bletchley Park. The Association provides highly accurate living history displays around the UK. Airborne Command, The US airborne component of the Association can portray most ETO units in most campaigns. Our two main Impressions are 501st PIR in the ETO and 509th PIB in the South of France, August 44.
	507th Parachute Infantry Regiment (USA)--The WWII 507th PIR Reenactors are based in the Detroit, Michigan area. This unit is unique, in that it is made up entirely of current or former US military paratroopers. Non-airborne qualified reenactors desiring to join this unit are definitely welcome, and will portray members of the 194th Glider Infantry Regiment, AAF Glider Pilots, War Correspondents, or WACs. The 507th PIR Reenactors do WWII tactical battles, living history events, and display programs throughout the Upper Midwest. Specially trained and equipped unit personnel will also train to perform military-style airborne operations from WWII aircraft at reenacting events and other appropriate venues.
	82nd AB, 505th PIR., California Historical Group (USA)--We are a highly authentic and motivated group of reenactors who portray the 82nd airborne division as it fought in WWII. We take pride in commemorating the vast achievements and sacrifices our airborne veterans have undertaken. We know they went through alot to take this country to the limits and freedoms we now know. If it weren't for units like the 82nd the world would be a much different place today. It is in thier name that we serve to commemorate them today. We take special care and attention to make an accurate portrayal of the typical airborne trooper in the 82nd during WWII. We exhaustively research archival references in the ongoing effort to reenact as authentically as we can. Few reenactors participate in WWII reenacting as far as we take it. We're Troopers!
	D Company 2/505 PIR Living History Association (UK)--A UK-based living history unit dedicated to the memory of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division of WWII. A member unit of WWII LHA UK we are the biggest and most authentic group of its kind in Europe today. We are the main contributors to commemorative and living history events in the UK, France, Belgium and Germany.
	505th 82nd AB / 101st AB , Ausreenact (Australia, NSW) -- We potray both the 505th 82nd Airborne and elements of the 101st based in Sydney, Australia. We strive to be highly authentic and attend regular events and public displays in NSW and other states.
	82nd Airborne 507th PIR (USA-NY) -- Welcome to the home of the Pathfinders, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which was attached to the 82nd Airborne prior to D-Day. This unit was established to keep alive a strong tradition among the American fighting elite: those willing to jump into enemy territory with little or no support, then survive in a heavily defended combat zone, surrounded by the enemy so that others may be directed to the combat zone safely. The 507th played a major role in D-Day, and we adhere to a strict level of authenticity. Both in uniforms and knowledge. We invite all to join who are interested, please contact us to find out more!
	508th PIR and 325th GIR (USA, NorWest) -- One of our principal goals is to rigorously emulate and pay homage to the American Parachute Infantryman who engaged in combat during World War Two. We faithfully portray the Paratroopers of the 508th PIR and the Glider Infantry of the 325th GIR of the celebrated 82nd Airborne Division.
	376th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion (USA, SouthEast)--A group of 82nd airborne living historians in the Southeast and Midwest US. We airborne cannon-cockers strive to portray the airborne forward observer of World War Two. Each infantry unit could expect a couple of FOs to be attached to their unit for a specific period of time. These FOs were well-versed in calling for and adjusting all forms of indirect fire (artillery and mortars). In every other sense, they operated as airborne infantry.
	401st GIR (USA)--101st AB, 1st BN 401st GIR Historical Reenactment Society Midwest "Glider Rider" reenactors. *"HONOR and COUNTRY"*
	101st Airborne, B CO, 1st BN 502th PIR (USA, TMHS)--The purpose of this unit is to honor through accurate portrayal and living history activities the fighting men of the 101st Airborne during World War II. To honor this division and the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, our authenticity in uniforms and equipment standards will be of the highest both in the field and in the barracks. Each member is required to maintain the highest personal level of physical fitness in keeping with the spirit of the Airborne. These standards are not meant to deter prospective members, but to outline the expectations that we have of our membership. Only by creating and maintaining such high standards in uniform, equipment, and attitude can we respectfully represent the veterans of the 101st Airborne Division.
	101st AB, E Co. 506th PIR (USA, HRS)-- Midwest "Paratrooper" Re-enactors "CURRAHEE"
	101st Airborne, E Comp. 2/506 PIR (USA)--Easy-Company 2/506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division is a living history unit. Our unit stretches from New England down into the Northern VA/Washington DC area. Currently our books have about 70 members, of which more than half are "active participants" (meaning they get to a majority of our events). While the majority of our events are taking place in the New England area, more events are being looked at very closely in the Mid-Atlantic area for future participation. Our goal is to accurately portray Airborne troopers of World War II. We do WWII tactical battle events (both private and public), living history, and display programs.
	101st Airborne, E Comp. 2/506 PIR (USA)--Part of the CHG and RPS. Located in California.
	401st GIB C company (USA) -- We are a group of WWII reeneactors from Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. Our first goal is to authentically depict the 401st GIR of the 101st Airborne division. We participate in several living history and tactical reenactments through out the year. Our second goal is to educate the public about the Americans who sacrificed their lives to preserve the freedoms that we all enjoy today, and ensure that their memories and experiences are not forgotten.