Categories timeline: US Airborne (1940-1945)
September 7 and 8 1943
Secret visit in Italy
September 7 and 8 1943: Brigadier General Maxwell D. Taylor, deputy commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, volunteers for a secret visit in Italy. In Rome, he meets Marshal Badoglio, leader of the Italian government. Following the meeting, Taylor informs General Eisenhower that the conditions for an airborne operation on Rome are not good at all. The jump on Rome is cancelled at the last minute.
Back to the listSeptember 5 1943
First combat jump in the Pacific / The 101st Airborne departs from the US towards Europe
September 5 1943: 1700 paratroopers from the 503rd PIR take part in the first operation on the Pacific front in Markham Valley, New-Guinea.
On the same day, the 101st Airborne Division sets sail from the New-York harbour towards Europe.
Back to the listAugust 13 1943
Creation of the 13th Airborne Division
On 13th August 1943, the 13th Airborne Division was created at Fort Bragg under Major General George W. GRINER, then in December 1943 under Major General Elbridge G. Chapman. The division was essentially made up of the 513th, 515th and 517th PIR, 88th and 326th GIR, 129th AEB, 458th and 460th PFAB, 676th and 677th GFAB. It did not take part in any campaigns during the Second World War, and was kept as a reserve unit in France in February 1945.
Back to the listJune 7 to July 20 1943
101st Airborne manoeuvres in Tennessee, US
June 7 to July 20 1943: The 101st Airborne Division takes part in important manoeuvres in Tennessee, US.
Back to the listAll along 1943
Creation of multiple US Airborne Training Centers
All along 1943: Creation of multiple US Airborne Training Centers – Parachute Schools outside the US, in North Africa (Oujda), in Sicily (Trapani), and in England (Nottingham).
Back to the listJuly 9 to 11 1943
Operations Husky I and II
On the night of 9-10 July 1943, as part of Operation Husky I, 3,405 paratroopers from Colonel James M. Gavin’s 505th Parachute Regimental Combat Team jumped near Gela in Sicily. On 11 July, as part of Operation Husky II, 2,305 paratroopers from the 504th PRCT under Colonel Reuben H. Tucker were dropped near Farello airfield.
Back to the listMay 10 1943
The 82nd Airborne Division arrives in Casablanca
May 10 1943: The 82nd Airborne Division arrives in Casablanca and settles its base camp in Oujda, Morocco, then in june 1943 in Kairouan, Tunisia.
Back to the listApril 28 1943
Departure of the 82nd Airborne Division from the New-York harbour
April 28 1943: Departure of the 82nd Airborne Division from the New-York harbour to North Africa.
Back to the listApril 15 1943
Creation of the 17th Airborne Division
On 15th April 1943, the 17th Airborne Division was created at Camp Mackall in North Carolina, under the command of Brigadier General William M. Miley. Composed of the 517th then 513th and 507th PIR, 193rd and 194th GIR, 139th AEB, 466th PFAB and 680th and 681st GFAB. Campaigns: Ardennes – Alsace, Germany.
Back to the listMarch 15 1943
Creation of the 517th PIR
March 15 1943: Creation of the 517th PIR under Ltc. Louis A. Walsh Jr.’s orders, at Camp Toccoa, Georgia.
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