Timeline
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March 10 1941
The Provisional Parachute Group -
July 1st 1941
Creation of the 502nd PIB -
July 10 1941
The Parachute School settles in Fort Benning -
August 11 1941
First overseas combat jump exercise -
August 21 1941
Creation of the 503rd PIB -
September 15 1941
Simulate war -
October 5 1941
Creation of the 504th PIB
March 24 1945
Operation Varsity
On 24 March 1945, as part of Operation Varsity, 4,964 paratroopers and gliders from the 17th Airborne Division were dropped in the Wesel sector of Germany.
In March 1945, the Allied armies advanced into German territory and reached the Rhine. This last rampart formed a natural barrier blocking the Allied advance into enemy territory. SHAEF decided to force its way through several areas of the Rhine. Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery drew up a plan entitled ‘Operation Plunder’, which would enable the ground forces to breach the Rhine. In order to ensure the success of the operation, an airborne component was to support the fighting on the ground, known as Operation Varsity. Three airborne divisions were initially chosen: the 6th British Airborne, and the 13th and 17th US Airborne. During the preparations, it became clear that there were not enough aircraft to transport the three airborne divisions. The 13th Airborne, which had no combat experience, was placed in reserve in France. The two remaining divisions parachuted behind German lines on 24 March 1945.