The Parachute Regiment is the main body of elite airborne troops of the British Army.

History

Formed during World War 2, and still active today, the regiment saw action in Operation Overlord (D-Day) and Operation Market Garden (Arnhem). Since the end of the war the regiment served in various theatres. They played a prominent part in the Falklands War, and also served in Northern Ireland, and the former Yugoslavia.

Organisation

The Parachute Regiment is organised into battalions. The regiment has three regular battalions, called 1 PARA, 2 PARA and 3 PARA. 4 PARA is a territorial battalion.

The Paras are generally hated among other British Army units leading to this popular rhyme:

"Para Para in the sky Living proof that shit can fly"

External links

• Regimental Website (http://www.parachute-regiment.com/)
• British Army site (http://www.army.mod.uk/para/index.html)
• British Army regiments (http://www.regiments.org/milhist/uk/specfor/para.htm)