US AIRBORNE

US AIRBORNE

COMBAT JUMPS

OPERATION TORCH

  • Date: November 8, 1942
  • Unit: 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion (PIB)
  • Troops: 556 paratroopers
  • Aircraft: 39 C-47s

Drop Zone: Tafaraoui, La Senia - Algeria

Unfortunately, this first operation faced significant challenges. Only 10 of the 39 planes managed to drop their troops on the intended zones. The other aircraft, running out of fuel, were forced to land on the Sebkha d'Oran, a dried lakebed.


  • Date: November 15, 1942

  • Unit: 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion (PIB)

  • Troops: 355 paratroopers

  • Drop Zone: Youks-les-Bains Airfield - Algeria

This jump followed the first attempt on November 8, 1942, where only 10 of the 39 planes successfully dropped their troops on target. The November 15 drop was more successful, with the majority of the troops reaching their objective.


  • Date: December 24, 1942

  • Unit: 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion (PIB) – along with 2 French paratrooper units

  • Troops: Approximately 300 paratroopers
  • Drop Zone: El Djem - Algeria

This jump was part of ongoing operations in North Africa following the initial invasion of Operation Torch. The paratroopers were deployed to reinforce Allied positions and continue operations against Axis forces.

OPERATION HUSKY I

  • Date: Night of July 9–10, 1943
  • Units: 82nd Airborne Division: 504th PIR, 3rd Battalion (first jump); 505th RCT, including 505th PIR, 456th PFAB, and Company B, 307th Engineers
  • Troops: 3,406 paratroopers
  • Drop Zone: Gela (near Ponte Olivo Airfield) and Licata, Sicily - Italy

These parachute drops were intended to secure landing zones and disrupt Axis defenses to facilitate the subsequent amphibious invasion. However, difficult weather conditions and navigation errors scattered the troops over a wide area, complicating their initial mission.

OPERATION HUSKY II

  • Date: Night of July 11–12, 1943
  • Units: 82nd Airborne Division: 504th RCT, including 504th PIR (1st and 2nd Battalions), 376th PFAB, and Company C, 307th Engineers
  • Troops: 2,304 paratroopers
  • Drop Zone: Gela and Licata, Sicily - Italy

During this second parachute drop, similar issues arose. In addition to navigation errors, there were incidents of friendly fire, where Allied forces accidentally fired on their own transport planes, resulting in casualties and further scattering of the troops.

OPERATION ALAMO

  • Date: September 5, 1943
  • Units: 503rd PIR
  • Troops: 1,700 paratroopers
  • Drop Zone: Nadzab, Markham Valley - New Guinea
  • Objective: Secure the Nadzab airfield to enable Australian forces to take control of the region.

This jump marked the first airborne operation in the Pacific during World War II and was a significant strategic success for the Allies.

OPERATION AVALANCHE

  • Date: September 13, 1943
  • Units: 504th Regimental Combat Team (RCT), including 504th PIR, 376th PFA, and Company A, 307th Engineers
  • Troops: 1,300 paratroopers
  • Drop Zone: Paestum, Salerno - Italy
  • Objective: This drop aimed to reinforce Allied positions and secure the landing zones against German counterattacks.


  • Date: September 14, 1943
  • Units: 505th Regimental Combat Team (RCT), including 505th PIR, 456th PFA, and Company B, 307th Engineers
  • Troops: 2,105 paratroopers
  • Drop Zone: Salerno, Paestum - Italy
  • Objective: This drop was designed to bolster Allied positions and safeguard the landing zones from German counterattacks. The paratroopers played a crucial role in stabilizing the Allied beachhead at Salerno.


  • Date: September 14, 1943
  • Units: 509th PIB
  • Troops: 640 paratroopers
  • Drop Zone: Near Avellino, east of Naples - Italy
  • Objective: The 509th PIB was deployed to disrupt German communication lines and secure strategic positions behind enemy lines. Their mission was critical in supporting the amphibious invasion at Salerno and stabilizing the Allied beachhead.

OPERATION SHINGLE

  • Operation Date: January 22, 1944
  • Units: 504th RCT (Regimental Combat Team), including the 504th PIR, 376th PFAB, and 307th AEB; 509th PIB
  • Troops: 5,600 paratroopers
  • Drop Zone - 504th RCT: Near Anzio and Nettuno, Italy
  • Drop Zone - 509th PIB: Near Carano, close to Anzio and Nettuno, Italy
  • Objective: These parachute drops aimed to secure landing zones and disrupt Axis defenses to facilitate the subsequent amphibious invasion. Despite logistical challenges and difficult combat conditions, the operation was a significant strategic success for the Allies.

OPERATION TITANIC & OVERLORD

  • Operation Name: TITANIC – Paratrooper Dummy Drop ("Oscar")
    Date: June 6, 1944
  • Units Involved:

  • 82nd Airborne Division

    • 507th and 508th PIRs
    • 505th RCT, including 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Company B of the 307th Engineer Battalion, and the 456th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion
    • 507th Pathfinder Battalion (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions), with 28 Pathfinders jumping at 300 feet at 2:40 AM (7 of the 504th PIR returned).

    Troops: 6,418 paratroopers and glidermen

  • 101st Airborne Division

    • Units: 326th, 377th, 501st, 502nd, and 506th PIRs
      Troops: 6,638 paratroopers and glidermen
  • Aircraft and Gliders: 1,682 aircraft and 512 gliders were used to transport the troops.
  • Drop Zones: Normandy, France
  • Primary Objectives:
  • Secure a foothold on the western bank of the Merderet River.
  • Capture strategic locations, including Sainte-Mère-Église, Beuzeville, and Pont-l’Abbé.
  • Neutralize the area between the Orne and Dives Rivers.
  • Seize the Merville Battery and designated bridges.
  • Operation Details:
    The mission began with Pathfinder drops at 00:10, marking drop zones and guiding the main force. Commandos and subsequent regiments and brigades followed, completing one of the most ambitious airborne operations of the war.

OPERATION TABLE TENNIS (CYCLONE)

  • Dates: July 3 & July 4, 1944


  • Units: 503rd PRCT, 1st Battalion / 3rd Battalion


  • Troops:

    • July 3, 1944: 739 paratroopers
    • July 4, 1944: 685 paratroopers


  • Drop Zone: Noemfoor Islands - New Guinea


  • Results:

    • July 3: 72 paratroopers injured during the jump.
    • July 4: 56 paratroopers injured during the jump.
    • The 2nd Battalion's planned jump on July 5 was canceled, and the troops were transported by sea to Noemfoor on July 11.

    This operation was part of a larger offensive, codenamed Cyclone, aimed at securing Noemfoor Island for the Allies. It successfully reinforced ground troops and hastened the island's capture. However, the losses were considered unnecessary due to an underestimation of enemy resistance.

OPERATION ANVIL DRAGOON (RUGBY)

  • Date: August 15, 1944


  • Units:

    • 1st Airborne Task Force (460th PFA, 463rd PFABn.; 509th PIB; 517th PCT; 551st PIB; 596th PC Eng. Co., 550th GIR)
    • 2nd British Independent Parachute Brigade


  • Troops: 9,000 paratroopers


  • Drop Zone: French Riviera, Côte d'Azur - France


  • Objectives:

    • Capture strategic points to facilitate the advance of ground forces.
    • Disrupt German communication and supply lines.
    • Support the amphibious landings on the beaches of Provence.

    The paratroopers played a crucial role in securing key areas and helping the rapid advance of Allied forces in southern France, paving the way for successful amphibious landings and the subsequent liberation of the region.

OPERATION MARKET GARDEN

  • Date: September 17 to September 25, 1944


  • Units Involved:

    • 82nd Airborne Division

      • 508th PIR
      • 505th RCT, including 505th PIR, 456th PFA, and Company B, 307th Engineers
      • 504th RCT, including 504th PIR, 376th PFA, and Company A, 307th Engineers
        Troops: 7,250 troops


    • Drop Zone: Grave & Nijmegen - Netherlands

    • 101st Airborne Division

      • 501st, 502nd, 506th PIRs
        Troops: 6,769 troops


    • Drop Zone: Eindhoven - Netherlands


  • Objectives:

    • 82nd Airborne Division: Capture the bridges over the Waal River at Nijmegen and secure the heights at Groesbeek.
    • 101st Airborne Division: Capture the bridges around Eindhoven and Veghel to allow the advance of ground forces.


  • Operation Details:

    • September 17, 1944: Paratroopers begin their jumps, achieving initial successes in capturing bridges and strategic areas.
    • September 18–20, 1944: The 82nd Airborne Division secures the Nijmegen bridge after intense fighting, while the 101st Airborne Division captures bridges around Eindhoven.


  • Results:
    The airborne troops succeeded in capturing several key bridges, but encountered heavy German resistance, particularly at Nijmegen.
    The operation saw significant casualties, with many paratroopers killed, wounded, or captured.

    Operation Market Garden was one of the largest airborne operations of World War II. Despite the initial successes, the operation ultimately failed due to strong German resistance and logistical problems, preventing the intended breakthrough into Germany.

OPERATION TABLETOP

  • Date: November 29, 1944 – December 5, 1944


  • Units Involved:

    • 11th Airborne Division
      • Company C, 127th Airborne Engineer Battalion
      • Company C, 1st Platoon, 187th Parachute Infantry Regiment (P/GIR)
      • 221st Airborne Medical Company
      • 457th Parachute Field Artillery
      • 11th Airborne Division Headquarters Group
      • 511th Parachute Signal Company
      • 11th Airborne Division Reconnaissance Platoon


  • Troops: 241 paratroopers


  • Drop Zone: Manarawat - Leyte Island - Philippines


  • Objective:
    Capture and secure strategic positions to support the advance of American ground forces against Japanese troops.


  • Operation Details:

    • Paratroopers were dropped to reinforce ground troops and secure key areas, despite heavy enemy resistance.
    • The operation contributed to strengthening Allied positions on Leyte Island and helped facilitate the advance of American ground forces.


  • Method of Insertion:
    Paratroopers were dropped one at a time onto the "Tabletop" plateau using Cub L4 and L5 aircraft, with a C-47 making 14 passes to deliver the troops.

    This operation was crucial in ensuring the continued momentum of the Allied campaign in the Philippines, despite the challenges faced from the Japanese forces.

OPERATION SHOESTRING

  • Date: February 3 & 4, 1945


  • Units Involved:

    • 11th Airborne Division
      • 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR)
      • 457th Field Artillery Battalion (FABn)


  • Operation:

    • February 3, 1945: Drop of 240 paratrooper mannequins (Oscar) on Mount Malepunyo before the main assault.


  • Troops: 1,830 paratroopers


  • Drop Zone: Tagaytay Ridge (North-west of Lake Taal) - Philippines


  • Objectives:

    • Capture and secure Tagaytay Ridge to support the advance of American ground forces toward Manila.
    • Disrupt Japanese communication and supply lines.


  • Operation Details:

    • February 3, 1945: Paratroopers were dropped in three waves, with some drops being imprecise. However, the troops managed to regroup near the drop zone and began advancing toward their objectives.
    • February 4, 1945: The paratroopers continued securing the area and pushed back Japanese forces, facilitating the advance of Allied forces toward Manila.


  • Outcome:
    The operation was successful in securing key positions and setting the stage for the liberation of Manila, while disrupting Japanese supply lines and communications.

OPERATION TOPSIDE

  • Date: February 16, 1945


  • Units Involved:

    • 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team (PRCT)
    • 462nd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion (PFABn)
    • 161st Airborne Engineer Battalion


  • Operation:

    • Air/Sea assault


  • Troops: 2,050 paratroopers dropped by 82 C-47 aircraft in two waves


  • Drop Zone: Corregidor - Philippines


  • Objectives:

    • Capture and secure strategic positions on the island, including the Topside heights.
    • Neutralize Japanese forces on the island and facilitate the advance of American ground forces.


  • Operation Details:

    • February 16, 1945: Paratroopers were dropped from an initial altitude of 650 feet, which was later reduced to 500 feet to minimize drift. They successfully surprised Japanese defenders and quickly secured their initial objectives.
    • Intense combat ensued, with heavy resistance, particularly around the Malinta Tunnel.


  • Results:

    • The operation successfully secured Corregidor, although casualties were significant. The U.S. forces killed approximately 4,500 Japanese soldiers and captured 19 others. American casualties totaled over 1,000, including 210 killed.
    • Operation TOPSIDE was pivotal in securing the Philippines and demonstrated the effectiveness of airborne operations in challenging environments.

OPERATION LOS BANOS (Rescue)

  • Date: February 23, 1945


  • Units Involved:

    • 11th Airborne Division
      • 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment: 1st Battalion, Company B; Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion; Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, Light Machine Gun Section


  • Operation: Rescue of 2,147 prisoners


  • Troops: 130 paratroopers


  • Drop Zone: Los Baños - Prison camp - Philippines


  • Objectives:

    • Liberate the 2,147 Allied civilian and military internees held in the Japanese internment camp.
    • Neutralize Japanese guards and secure the area to facilitate the evacuation of the prisoners.


  • Operation Details:

    • February 23, 1945: Paratroopers were dropped early in the morning, while amphibious forces and Filipino guerrillas attacked the camp simultaneously. The paratroopers quickly neutralized the Japanese guards and secured the camp.
    • The internees were evacuated via amphibious trucks and boats, with precise coordination between airborne forces, amphibious units, and guerrilla fighters.


  • Results:

    • The operation was a resounding success, with the liberation of all internees and minimal losses for the Allied forces (3 killed, 2 wounded).
    • Around 70 to 80 Japanese guards were killed.
    • The Los Baños Rescue Operation is regarded as one of the most successful of World War II, demonstrating exemplary coordination among the various branches of the Allied forces.

OPERATION VARSITY

  • Date: March 24, 1945


  • Units Involved:

    • 17th Airborne Division
      • 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 513th PIR, 464th Parachute Field Artillery (PFA), 466th PFA, 139th Airborne Engineer Battalion (AEB), 224th Airborne Medical Company (AMC), 155th Airborne Artillery Battalion (AAB), 411th Air Quartermaster (AQM), 517th Air Support Company (ASC), 680th GFA, 681st GFA, 717th Airborne Ordinance Company (AOC), 194th Glider Infantry Regiment (GIR)
    • Other small units: Military Police (MP's), Division Artillery, Reconnaissance Platoon, Parachute Maintenance Company


  • Troops: 9,387 troops


  • Drop Zone: Wesel and Hamminkeln - Germany


  • Objectives:

    • Capture the village of Diersfordt.
    • Clear the Diersfordt Forest of German forces.


  • Operation Details:

    • March 24, 1945: The paratroopers were dropped in a single wave. Despite some drop errors, the troops successfully reached and secured their objectives.


  • Results:

    • The operation was a success, allowing for the capture of strategic bridges and securing key villages, thus facilitating the advance of Allied ground forces.
    • The Allies suffered approximately 2,378 to 2,700 casualties (killed, wounded, or missing), but captured about 3,500 German soldiers.
    • Operation Varsity was the last major airborne operation of World War II and played a crucial role in the Allied forces' crossing of the Rhine.

OPERATION GYPSY

  • Date: June 23, 1945


  • Units Involved:

    • 11th Airborne Division
      • 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR)


  • Troops: 1,030 paratroopers


  • Drop Zone: Aparri - Philippines


  • Objectives:

    • Capture and secure the Camalaniugan airfield.
    • Cut off the Japanese retreat routes in the Cagayan Valley.


  • Operation Details:

    • June 23, 1945: The paratroopers were dropped in a single wave. They quickly secured the airfield and surrounding areas, despite limited Japanese resistance.


  • Results:

    • The operation was a success, effectively cutting off the Japanese retreat routes and strengthening Allied positions in the region.
    • Operation Gypsy marked the final combat jump of the 511th PIR during World War II and contributed to the liberation of the Philippines.