Hi all. Does anyone know why some of the 156 parachute battalion did not go to Arnhem, i have read the book From Delhi to Arnhem and i think it mentioned that around 80 were left back in the UK, and any idea what they were doing, sorry if this has been asked before.
It could be that they were designated Left Out of Battle. This was done so that in the event of a disaster a nucleus of a Regiment would remain, from which it could be rebuilt.
Hi Parachute battalions had small numbers in 'depots' who looked after logistics and the training of reinforcements. Whilst all of 2nd Para Bde was in Greece, its depots were all in Italy. They were then 'posted' from the depot to the front when requested. Hope this helps Gus
All Para Battallions have rear partys they leave behind in charge of vehicles stores personal kit .Many Para rear partys arrived after the D Day landings by sea. Having said that I would expect a rear party of drivers ,storemen cooks plus a few lame and injured to be 20/30 strong . 80 does seem a lot. May be there were just not enough places on the second lift aircraft.
According to war diaries very large rear party 178 Or's plus 1 Officer ,have no idea why that's well over a Companys worth of men ,will delve deeper.
The plans included a substantial road party. The troops landed by air had to make the best use of the limited space in aircraft and gliders.
10 Para,152's sister Battalion was around 600 strong before Arnhem they landed 582 men so left a rear party of 18 or so .
The seaborne tail for 1 AB Division has around 700 motor vehicles. Each parachute battalion had 32 motor vehicles which all need drivers and a sprinkling of commanders. (Serial 12)
Following on from all the posts above, an example of individual experience of the seaborne tail for Arnhem, and how fate lent a hand in putting him on it, and the price paid. Always remember, never forget, Jim.
Thanks for the replies. My father was in the 151/156 parachute battalion and was one of the 80 that didn't go to Arnhem so is interesting to know what he was doing at that time.
Hi, I was researching a former member of the Bn Pte Bannister who had previously served in North Africa and Italy with 156 but was left out of the order of battle for Arnhem, I applied for his papers as he was later killed in a traffic accident in 1946. He missed Arnhem as a result of being under close arrest at the time for being Absent without leave! It transpires that quite a few members of the BN had suffered sports injuries, been out of camp, AWOL, or already under arrest for fighting in town, partly caused by so much waiting time, and there being so many false alarms ( 15 previous Ops had been cancelled). As they raced to get back to camp they were too late and put under close arrest. Plus the fact that air transport was limited so the Bn had to choose who to take... I remember reading about the OX & Bucks going to Normandy and men stood by the aircraft in tears due to being refused a place because the aircraft payload had been exceeded (due to those on board taking extra grenades, ammo etc).. with the cry of 'you can catch up with us later' Rick
This is a memory that lives with me. My friend and mentor in my career job back in the mid 70's was a former para officer who landed in Sicily, but before Arnhem, broke his leg in a practice jump when it went down a rabbit hole on landing. His leg was in a cast as his battalion loaded into C-47s for D Day but he put his kit on and tried to board his plane with members of his platoon. However, he was intercepted and ordered not to get aboard as he would be (rightly) a liability to his comrades. He told me that his aircraft was later shot down with no survivors. Unit comradeship knows no bounds. So some stayed behind very unwillingly
Hello All, I'm looking for information on my grandad, Bryant Frederick (Tommy) Handley. I believe he was in the 156 bn para. If I remember rightly, Major Tony Thomas mentioned him in the forward to his book, The Soldier, but I have to track down the book from my dad. My grandad went to Palestine and Anzio. He always used to shock us grandkids by showing us the shrapnel scar in his back. We were always so impressed If anyone knows anything about him, I would appreciate any information whatsoever. He died in 2005 in his 80's, after living a good and brave life. I loved him very much. Thank you!
Hi Natalie If Bryant was his surname then in the back of the book titled From Delhi to Arnhem by John O'Reilly it has a private Bryant F, Army number 844796 in HQ Company. Hope this might help. Malc.
Sorry i may have misread your message as i now see his surname was Handley, there is no mention of a Handley in the book.
