The development of Britain's airborne forces in the
Second World War.
This book covers the inception, growth and employment of
Britain’s airborne forces (parachute
and glider-borne formations) between June 1940 and March 1945. It takes a
comparative approach and follows tailored lines of development. Each of these
lines - politics and policy, equipment and technology, personnel and training,
command and control and concepts and doctrine - influence each
other.
The contents
include:
Politics and Policy: The political environment
within which the major decisions were made concerning the concept of development
of Britain’s airborne forces.
Churchill’s personal contribution, the effect of inter-service rivalry and the
influence of other government departments. Equipment and Technology: The methods
and obstacles of procuring and supplying the bespoke equipment required by
airborne forces. The supply of combat equipment, the provision of support
aircraft and the procurement of gliders. Personnel and Training: The effort
incurred to man the new force and the effect of different approaches to
recruitment and training. The selection and recruitment of airborne personnel,
the individual training of paratroops and glider pilots and the role of
collective training prior to operations. Command and Control: The ability of
individuals in key appointments to influence the path of development and the
operational and tactical employment of the force. The reaction and approach of
higher commanders to the new capability, the selection and impact of commanders
within the airborne force and the influence of the airborne staff. Concept and
Doctrine: Examines the manner in which Britain’s airborne forces were employed and
performed on operations in the Mediterranean and northwest Europe. How the development of the airborne concept was
influenced by physical constraints (equipment and personnel), the ideas of
higher commanders and the German example. The impact of individual commanders
and physical limitations.
