Categories timeline: US Airborne (1940-1945)
March 1st 1944
The Airborne Command becomes the Airborne Center
On 1 March 1944, Airborne Command moved to Camp Mackall and became the Airborne Center under Brigadier General Josiah T. Dalbey.
Back to the listFebruary 28 1944
The IX Troop Carrier Command's US Airborne Pathfinder School settles in England
February 28 1944: The IX Troop Carrier Command’s US Airborne Pathfinder School settles in England. 20 C-47 planes, under Ltc. Joel L. Crouch’s command, are assigned to the school, which is located in North Witham.
Back to the listFebruary 13 1944
The 82nd Airborne Division settles in England
February 13 1944: The 82nd Airborne Division settles in England, at Camp Quorn in the Leicestershire, and grows stronger with the 507th and 508th PIR’s arrival.
Back to the listFebruary 8 1944
Major General William C. Lee is replaced temporarily by Don F. Pratt
February 8 1944: Major General William C. Lee, commander of the 101st Airborne Division, has a heart attack during an exercise in England. He is sent back to recovery in the US and temporarily replaced by his deputy, Brigadier General Don Pratt.
Back to the listBeginning of February 1944
SHAEF - Operation Neptune
At the beginning of February 1944, General Bernard L. Montgomery presented the S.H.A.E.F. (Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force) with the Operation Neptune as a prelude to Operation Overlord. This plan provided for an increase in the landing front to the West and involved the use of two additional airborne divisions. The 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions would be tasked with securing and protecting the western flank of the landing in the Cotentin peninsula. The operation was due to begin on 1 June 1944 and included the crossing of the English Channel by several thousand ships and aircraft, the preliminary bombardment of the German coastal defences, Allied airborne operations, the landing of assault troops on the beaches and the establishment of bridgeheads on the coast and their resupply.
Back to the listNovember 18 1943
The 82nd Airborne Division leaves the Mediterranean front
On 18th November 1943, the 82nd Airborne division left the Mediterranean front for Northern Ireland, with the exception of Colonel Reuben Tucker’s 504th PIR and Ltc William P. Yarborough’s 509th PIB which remained in Italy at the request of Lieutenant General Mark W. Clarkcommanding the 5th Army.
Back to the listOctober 10 1943
Colonel James M. Gavin is promoted Brigadier General
On 10th October 1943, Colonel James M. GAVIN, commander of the 505th PIR, was promoted to Brigadier General (1 star) and second-in-command of the 82nd Airborne Division. At 36, he became the youngest serving general in the US Army.
Back to the listOctober 1st 1943
The paratroopers of Major Edward C. Krause's 3/505th enter Naples
On 1st October 1943, paratroopers from the 3/505th PIR of the 82nd Airborne Division entered Naples in Italy. Major Edward C. Krause, the battalion commander, hung an American flag in front of the Italian Post Office. A few days later, the 505th PIR seized the bridges spanning the canals of the town of Arnone.
Back to the listSeptember 15 1943
Landing in Salerne
On 15 September 1943, the 3/504 PIR and part of the 325th GIR of the 82nd Airborne Division landed on the beaches in the Salerno sector for an amphibious assault. Faced with a very tough German defence, the 509th PIB was called up as reinforcements.
Major General Lee’s 101st Airborne Division arrives in England.
Back to the listSeptember 13 and 14 1943
Operation Avalanche
On 13 September 1943, 1,300 paratroopers from the 1 and 2/504th PIR, followed on 14 September by 2,100 paratroopers from the 505th PIR were dropped on the Paestum DZ south of Salerno in Italy. Operation Avalanche was also an opportunity to test teams of Pathfinders, to mark out and secure the Drop Zones.
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