REME Parachutists

Hi

I have found an entry in the 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade REME Workshops for the 14th October 1944 which states that three members of the REME Workshops, 2 Fitters and an Electrician were sucessfully parachuted onto the airfield at Megara in Greece that day. It also says it was thought to be the first time ever that REME parachutists were para-dropped operationally.

Anyone ever heard this being done elsewhere?

Gus

 

Hi,

The 6th (Airborne) Divisional Workshops, REME war diary has this entry:

12th June 1944
Place: La Deliverande

It is now known that 7 of the Wksp parachutists are missing. It is hoped that some may have been taken prisoner.

In one list I have there were 4 Stirlings out of Keevil (CNs 213 - 216) designated RASC & REME that took part in Operation Tonga. There may have been operational drops that involved REME men in North Africa and Sicily as well?

Regards ...

 

Hi Cee

So its a pretty rare occurrence rather than a unique one.

Thanks very much for this.

Gus

 

Gus,

There's more info on the Airborne REME on Paradata if you wish to delve further at some point.

Regards ...

 

Any interest?..............
Picture from Pegasus Archive, RVP Adams Collection of REME parachutists being inspected in the UK. Note the vehicle distributor cap in the rucksack on the ground. Date unconfirmed, but it is a picture from a press collection (Evening News and Hampshire Telegraph, Portsmouth). It is stamped on the reverse.
There are some other Press pictures from (probably) the same REME unit inspection in the collection.
The Rhine Crossing