Hello, I just received some service papers and have a query. The man in question served with the RA and during 1943 decided to transfer to Airborne forces, and 3 months later returned to his old unit. Could someone explain what the process of transferring to (at the time) this very new unit entailed, how long the training/selection was and why he could of left. As to the last query I know if he wasn't up to scratch he was RTU'd, but if this was the case was that normal? was there a high attrition rate for potential airborne troops? Thank you in advance, 281664
Can't comment for paratroopers but I know for glider pilots there were formal interviews, aptitude and medical tests done ahead plus final approval of candidates was done by the Air Ministry in Cheltenham. Once you were Ok'd you got a transfer and were sent off to Tilshead. To be in for only three months and then RTU'd I'd guess it could be a number of reasons but suitability or a transgression could be the case. Some people just weren't cut out for it and a refusal to jump when it came to the tower/balloon jump would be enough to get the chop.
Thanks for the reply. I find the idea of him being RTU'd strange as he became a Chindit soon after his airborne episode. But from my own experience anything can happen to any man in that kind of training. Are there any sources for figures regarding the drop out rate of airborne volunteers? Cheers, Will
Will, I would think with the Airborne RA only advance parties and FOO's would need to obtain their parachute wings. They were for the most part gliderborne troops and when there weren't enough of those to go around they travelled by ship as was the case on D-Day June 6,1944. Gliders weren't to everyone's liking either with some suffering from motion sickness. The Go To it Gunners site has some WDs available for viewing although not all are complete. http://www.gotoitgunners.co.uk/ Regards ...
Will, Usually with the RA I end up eating my words. I came upon the following entry for parachute training in the 2nd Airlanding LAA Bty R.A. war diary: "July 1944 10th – Bulford An intensive course of physical training starts under the supervision of the A.P.T.C as a preliminary to parachute training. 29th – Bulford 6 Officers and 150 OR’s proceed to Ringway for parachute training. August 1944 11th – Bulford Completion of parachute training course at Ringway. 6 officers and 92 OR’s qualified as parachutists." So that unit had to undertake rigorous training to gain their Para wings. Regards ...
Hi Cee, Sorry for the delayed response,works on overload! The website link is great,nice to have a good breakdown on RA Airborne forces. Turns out he was with an airborne unit (2LAA). Im going to have to scout out some information from family members and see what they say. Thanks Will