Airborne Forces Units & HQs

[norwichpaul]

Airborne Forces Table of Principle Units & Headquarters
Title	Location	Notes	Formed	Disbanded
Central Landing School Central Landing Establishment, RAF (CLE)	Ringway, Manchester, with Tatton Park, Cheshire, used as the drop zone	Formed for parachute training. Became Central Landing Establishment and divided into Parachute Training School, Technical Unit & Glider Exercise Squadron, Glider Flight (became Glider Training Squadron). CLE renamed again on 1 September 1941 as the Airborne Forces Establishment	21–06–40	30–08–41 (Renamed)
Airborne Forces Establishment	Formed from the Central Landing Establishment to investigate problems of technical development, to establish the principles of glider and parachute training, and to form the first units to carry out the training.	01–09–41	15–02–42
Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment	Ringway, moved to Sherburn-in-Elmet on 01–07–42	Formed from Airborne Forces Establishment HQ, Technical Department Unit and Experimental Flight. Moved to Sherburn-in-Elmet until January 1945. Disbanded at Beaulieu	15–02–42	14–09–50
Glider Exercise Flight No.1 Glider Training School	Haddenham airfield, Bucks	This was a flight that arrived from Ringway due to that airfield being congested. On 4 November 1941 it redesignated as No.1 Glider Training School and became independent to the Airborne Forces Establishment. One month later it moved to Croughton	?–01–41 Formed 04–11–41	30–11–41 Disbanded 23–03–43
No.1 Glider OTU, 4 Glider Training School	Netheravon / Kidlington	Post-graduate gliding training. Redesignated as 4 Glider Training School on 13 July 1942	01–01–42 13–07–42	23–03–43
No.2 Glider OTU, 5 Glider Training School	Kidlington, Oxfordshire	Post-graduate gliding training. Redesignated as 5 Glider Training School on 13 July 1942	01–02–42 13–07–42	15–11–45
No.2 Glider Training School	Thame, moved to Weston-on-the-Green	Formed out of the Glider Training Squadron	01–12–41	10–03–43
No.3 Glider Training School	Stoke Orchard, Glos. Culmhead, Somerset	Formed from 10 Elementary Flying Training School. Relocated to various airfields before becoming a Glider Instructor School in January 1945	21–07–42	03–12–47
Heavy Glider Conversion Unit (HGCU)	Shrewton, Salisbury Plain Brize Norton, Oxon	Formed at Shrewton in 70 Group. Later moved to Brize Norton, to cover the conversion of glider pilots to Horsa and Hamlicar gliders, which previously had been carried out at the glider operational training units but which were now disbanded. The HGCU disbanded at Brize Norton	29–06–42	20–10–44
No.1 Parachute Training School	Ringway, Manchester Tatton Park Upper Heyford	Formally the Parachute Training School, being part of the Airborne Forces Establishment, when this unit ceased to exist, the now re-named No.1 Parachute Training School became a self-contained unit and remained at Ringway for the duration of WWII. Moved to Upper Heyford in March 1946	15–02–42	03–12–47 (Renamed)

Airborne Forces Table of Principle Units & Headquarters – (continued)
Title	Location	Notes	Formed	Disbanded
Major-General Airborne Forces HQ	Brigmerston House, Durrington, Wiltshire	Duties included advising the War Office and C-in-C at home about airborne matters and administration of the Airborne Forces Depot & Development Centre	01–05–43	26–12–43
Airborne Troops HQ	Hammersmith	Replaced Major-General Airborne Forces	26–12–43
Combined Operations HQ	Richmond Terrace, London
Southern Command HQ
Airborne Troops HQ 1 Airborne Corps HQ	Ashley Gardens, SW1 Moor Park, Rickmansworth	Formed in January 1944 at Ashley Gardens before moving to Moor Park in April 1944 to become 1 Airborne Corps. Its function was to co-ordinate training and planning of all British airborne forces	?–01–44
Commander Airborne Establishments	Amesbury, Wiltshire Alderbury		?–05–43	c.1944
Airborne Forces Depot (AFD)	Hardwick Hall Camp, Chesterfield	Formed as soon as 1 Parachute Brigade had moved to Bulford. The AFD then took over the vacant camp	?–04–42
Commander Airborne Forces Depot & Development Centre	Amesbury Abbey	Training & holding of personnel until posted to units. Duties included issuing progress reports to the War Office, to prepare draft training pamphlets and recruitment		10–01–44
Commander Airborne Forces Establishment		Replaced Commander Airborne Forces Depot & Development Centre. For training and holding of personnel until posted to units. Came under War Office Command
Allied Expeditionary Air Forces HQ			?–11–43
General HQ Home Forces	King Charles Street basement, SW1
1 Airborne Division HQ	King Charles Street basement, SW1 (GHQ Home Forces) until 21-12-41 Syrencot House, Figheldean Netheravon	The first separate airborne forces HQ. Controlled 1 Parachute Brigade, 1 Air-Landing Brigade & glider pilots	29–10–41	00–11–45

Airborne Forces Table of Principle Units & Headquarters – (continued)
Title	Location	Notes	Formed	Disbanded
6 Airborne Division HQ (the numbering sequence discrepancy was deliberate for security reasons)	Amesbury & The Old Farm, Brigmerston House, Milston, Durrington nr Amesbury	Formed with 3 Parachute Brigade, including 3rd Parachute Squadron, RE and 224th Parachute Field Ambulance RAMC were transferred from 1 Airborne Division. A planning HQ had been established at The Old Farm, Brigmerston House (code name Broadmoor). There was also a war room there. Moved to Ranville, the first town in France to be liberated on D-Day	23–04–43	Reduced to a Brigade in June 1948
2 Parachute Brigade HQ			17–07–42
Air Directorate, War Office	War Office, London	Formed to look after and sponsor the affairs of airborne forces & acted as a link between the War Office and Air Ministry	?–06–42
Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF)	Southwick House, Southwick, Hampshire	The house became the Forward Planning and Operational HQ of SHAEF. The plywood map still hangs in the Wardroom. Closed in 2004 the School of Maritime Operations moved to HMS Collingwood.	c.11–43	2004
21 Army Group			c.11–43
Combined Troop Carrier Command Post (CTCCP)	Eastcote, Middlesex
Commanding General IX US Troop Carrier Command	Eastcote, Middlesex
HQ 1 Airborne Corps	Moor Park, Rickmansworth
Station 1090	Williamstrip Park, Down Ampney, Wilts	1 Airborne Corps RASC ordnance dump used by the SAS as a transit camp. Moved to Essex in September.		?–09–44
Station 1090	Mushroom Farm Camp, Essex	The first dedicated SAS ordnance dump & transit camp was set up in Essex to be close to 38 Group HQ	00–09–44
Tactical HQ SAS Brigade	Moor Park
HQ 38 Wing	Syrencote House, Netheravon, then Netheravon airfield	Worked in conjunction with 1 Airborne Division HQ. came under RAF Army Co-operation Command	15–01–42

Airborne Forces Table of Principle Units & Headquarters – (continued)
Title	Location	Notes	Formed	Disbanded
38 (Airborne Forces) Group	Netheravon Marks Hall, Essex	Formed from 38 Wing, initially under Tactical Air Force, transferred to HQ Allied Expeditionary Force on 15–11–43, and then one year later to ADGB. Moved to Marks Hall, Essex to be closer to the 'new' 38 Group airfields on 12–10–44. Disbanded at Upavon	11–10–43	01–02–51
11 Special Air Service Battalion	Knutsford	Formed in November 1940 from the Combined Operations unit, No.2 Commando which had transferred over to parachute duties during June 1940. Consisted of an HQ, a parachute wing and a glider wing	21–11–40	15–09–41
1st Parachute Battalion		Formed from 11 Special Air Service Battalion within 1st Parachute Brigade	15–09–41
1 Parachute Brigade	Hardwick Hall Camp, Chesterfield Bulford Camp, Salisbury Plain	Formed to administer & train parachutists at the Central Landing Establishment, Ringway in order to form four three-company battalions, each having sections of 10 men Moved to North Africa in November 1942	31–08–41 ?–03–42	?–03–42 ?–11–42
1 Air Troop Royal Engineers	Hardwick Hall Camp Chesterfield	Formed as a unit of 1 Parachute Brigade	?–09–41
1 Air-Landing Brigade Group		Formed from 31 Independent Brigade Group to capture enemy communication centres & capture of enemy airfields	10–10–41
4th Parachute Battalion	Hardwick Hall Camp, Chesterfield	Formed as a unit of 1 Parachute Brigade but transferred to 4th Parachute Brigade on its formation on 17 July 1942	?–09–41
3rd Parachute Battalion	Hardwick Hall Camp, Chesterfield	Formed as a unit of 1 Parachute Brigade Moved to North Africa in November 1942		10–11–42
2nd Parachute Battalion	Hardwick Hall Camp, Chesterfield. Tilshead Camp, Salisbury Plain	Formed as a unit of 1 Parachute Brigade. This unit took part in the Bruneval Raid on 27 February 1942. Based at Tilshead Camp from 24-01–42, flying from Thruxton airfield Moved to North Africa in November 1942		?–11–42
Army Air Corps		Formed	21–12–41

Airborne Forces Table of Principle Units & Headquarters – (continued)
Title	Location	Notes	Formed	Disbanded
Glider Pilot Regiment		Formed as part of the Army Air Corps. Became Glider Regiment during August 1942	21–12–41
Parachute Regiment		Formed as part of the Army Air Corps to administer all parachute infantry units	01–08–42
2 Parachute Brigade		Formed	17–07–42
5th (Scottish) Parachute Battalion		Formed from 7th Battalion, The Cameron Highlanders. Part of 4 Parachute Brigade	01–08–42
6th (Royal Welch) Parachute Battalion		Formed from 10th Battalion, The Royal Welch Fusiliers. Part of 4 Parachute Brigade	14–08–42
2nd Battalion, 503 Parachute Infantry Regiment, US Army	Chilton Foliat, Newbury	This US parachute unit (the first on British soil) was organised and trained on parallel lines as British parachute battalions. Moved to North Africa in November 1942	11–06–42	?–11–42
3 Parachute Brigade			05–11–42	D-Day Dropping Zone & 'N' 'V'
7th (Light Infantry) Battalion, The Parachute Regiment		Formed from 10th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry. Administered by 3 Parachute Brigade. Transferred to 5 Parachute Brigade on 11–08–43	05–11–42
8th (Midland) Battalion, The Parachute Regiment		Formed from 13th Battalion, The Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Administered by 3 Parachute Brigade	05–11–42
9th (Eastern & Home Counties) Battalion, The Parachute Regiment		Formed from 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment. Administered by 3 Parachute Brigade	05–11–42
12th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment		Formed from 10th Battalion, The Green Howards. Administered by 5 Parachute Brigade	23–04–43
13th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment		Formed from 2nd/4th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment. Administered by 5 Parachute Brigade	23–04–43
Army Air Corps Infantry Training Centre	Clay Cross, Chesterfield	Absorbed the Airborne Forces Holding Unit at Boroughbridge Hall	02–09–44

[Hutemarnechris]

Paul, I was interested to see your posting re station 1090 at Down Ampney which you describe as an RASC Ordnance dump and SAS transit camp. I'm writing an article about an SAS operation staged from Fairford in 1944. Most of the literature about wartime SAS ops describes the troops being held at RAF Fairford itself -their weapons and containers being sourced from station 1090. Two questions: was station 1090 part of the RAF airfield complex at Down Ampney? I couldn't find Williamstrip Park on google maps. Also, what is your source for Station 1090 being an SAS transit camp? Thanks for any help you can give me with this.

[Hutemarnechris]

Just to add - Williamstrip Park is a stately home 10 miles or so away from Down Ampney at Coln Saint Aldwyns. Both places are in Glos rather than Wilts.

[Carnaby]

I couldn't find Williamstrip Park on google maps.

LINK

Also - Williamstrip Park: US Army 761 Chemical Depot Company (Aviation)

Welcome to Aix, Hutemarnechris. Your research sounds interesting.

[norwichpaul]

I believe the source is the official History of the Aiborne Forces. An HMSO book, which is somewhere in our stores.

[Ossington_2008]

Possible thread creep I know, but there looks to be military/utility buildings in Macaroni Wood, a mile or two to the east.

[REF]

Possible thread creep I know, but there looks to be military/utility buildings in Macaroni Wood, a mile or two to the east.

They are the dispersed sites for RAF Southrop

[OneEighthBit]

Paul, I was interested to see your posting re station 1090 at Down Ampney which you describe as an RASC Ordnance dump and SAS transit camp. I'm writing an article about an SAS operation staged from Fairford in 1944. Most of the literature about wartime SAS ops describes the troops being held at RAF Fairford itself -their weapons and containers being sourced from station 1090. Two questions: was station 1090 part of the RAF airfield complex at Down Ampney? I couldn't find Williamstrip Park on google maps. Also, what is your source for Station 1090 being an SAS transit camp? Thanks for any help you can give me with this.

Dunno if this might be relevant:

http://www.airfieldinformationexchan...nr-Cirencester

That's the RASC depot which was just up the road from Down Ampney but for reasons unknown the depot server Fairford.

Oh also Mushroom Farm is mentioned in the list. This was at 51° 57.754'N/0° 31.138'E or TL 731322. As the name implies it was a mushroom farms that had it's sheds emptied and shelves cleared so that men could sleep on then. Heard quite a few horror stories from glider pilots who transited through there.

[hautemarnechris]

Thanks Paul and oneEighth. That's really helpful - especially the info about The Piggeries at Paulton. I'll take a look at the HMSO History of Airborne Forces whilst at the National Archives tomorrow. Also, go through the SAS and HQ Airborne Troops files again to see if there's anything new about station 1090. I know the SAS held an investigation into the supply problems originating at Station 1090 (unserviceable weapons, etc). Perhaps the report is still in the files and may give some clues as to the location of Station 1090.

Judging from the extract from HQ 48 Air Despatch Group war diary they were servicing several airfields in the area - not just Fairford.

HQ Airfreight (No 46 Group) was based at "the Control Centre, Paulton" which I assume is the "Piggeries" and served the Down Ampney airfield where 46 Group operated from. I'm still a bit confused about the reference to Williamstrip Park in the HMSO entry. But the US had an ordnance depot at Williamstrip Park as well as the chemical depot (aviation) mentioned by Carnaby. It may be that the Paulton site was an outstation of Williamstrip Park.

The Paulton site doesn't look large enough to accomodate SAS troops in transit through Fairford - but the long building to the West of the site may I suppose have been accomodation. The farm itself at the end of the track looks to my unknowledgeable eye to have been the storage area. The other building (now demolished) by the entrance looks like it may have been the admin centre controlling movements in and out of the depot.

Once again many thanks for the information - extremely impressive. I'll let you know what, if anything, I manage to find.

Chris

[OneEighthBit]

Came across the following:

http://belgiansas.webatu.com/belgie.html

If you run it through Google Translate Dutch->English there is mention of Station 1090 being location of the O.C HQ SAS. Most of the context of the text is an operational order to re-form/organise elements of the Belgian SAS at Mushroom Farm.