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9 PARACHUTE SQUADRON CHRONOLOGY OF FORMATION AND BRIEF HISTORY

1939

1939 saw 9th Field Company RE back in France and still part of 4^th Division.  It took part in the evacuation of the BEF from Dunkirk and a sadly depleted Company returned to the UK where, in May 1942, it was reorganised as 9 Field Company RE (Airborne). 

9 Field Company RE (Airborne) became the Engineer support for the newly formed 1^st Airlanding Brigade.  Interestingly, about one-third of the Company were trained in the parachute role and the remainder trained as glider-borne troops.  Their first Airborne operation was in Norway in 1942 where they were tasked to destroy a heavy water plant.  This operation turned out to be a disaster, both gliders crash landing and the few survivors being executed by the Gestapo.  The Company then took part in Airborne operations in North Africa 1943, Sicily 1943 and Italy 1943.

The Company enplaned on the morning of 17 September 1944 and, except for two gliders that crashed, landed safely at Arnhem.  A platoon of about 60 strong under the command of Capt Eric O’Callaghan, took up positions in the school house close to the bridge.  With all their ammunition intact, they played a significant role in the defence of the bridge, one sapper having knocked out six or seven armoured vehicles with a Piat anti-tank gun.  The platoon was used as the counter-attack force by Lt Col John Frost, the CO of 2 PARA, and fought magnificently in the infantry role.  Unfortunately, they took heavy casualties.  Of the original Company of 215 All Ranks, only 57 men returned to the UK, the remainder being captured or killed.

VE DAY

On VE Day, 1^st Airborne Division was ordered to Norway to accept the surrender of the 400,000 Germans there.  While in Norway 9^th Company was reorganised to hold the younger members of the divisional engineers, and then dispatched to join 6^th Airborne Division which was preparing to move to the Far East. The sudden collapse of Japan changed all plans however.  1^st Airborne Division was disbanded and 9^th Airborne Squadron accompanied 6^th Airborne Division to Palestine.

The Squadron (as it would now be known), had a strenuous time in Palestine and their efforts included the clearance of the King David Hotel after a particularly horrific bomb attack.  Casualties in Palestine were two Officers and one OR killed in action.

9^th Squadron accompanied the Division to Germany, and when 6^th Airborne Division was reduced to a single Brigade (16 Independent Parachute Brigade), the Squadron was chosen to be the Sapper unit.  Elements from the disbanded 1^st Parachute Squadron RE, 3^rd Parachute Squadron RE and 147 Airborne Field Park Squadron RE were posted into 9^th Squadron.

1950

9 Independent Parachute Squadron RE returned to UK in 1950.  Since that year, the Squadron has served on active service in countries such as Egypt, Cyprus, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Aden, Radfan, Borneo, Rhodesia and including six full tours and two spearhead tours of duty in Northern Ireland. 

1976

In 1976, 16 Independent Parachute Brigade disbanded and 9 Independent Parachute Squadron RE lost its independency and became part of 36 Engineer Regiment, based at Maidstone.  9 Parachute Squadron RE, as it was now called, was to remain in Aldershot to support the Parachute Battalions. 

1982

In April 1982, the Squadron embarked for the Falkland Islands as part of 5 Infantry Brigade.  In true sapper tradition, the Squadron was involved in the thick of the action from clearing minefields to repairing bridges.  Sgt Ron Wrega and Cpl John Foran both won the Military Medal for their actions and maintained the fine traditions of the Squadron.

After the Falklands War, the Squadron had tours in Belize, Kenya, the Falklands and Canada.  In 1987, in the Royal Engineers 200^th Anniversary Year, the Squadron was selected to provide the Royal Guard.  After six weeks of intense training, the Squadron provided the Guard for Buckingham Palace and St James’ Palace and also the Guard for the Tower of London.

1994

Between July and November 1994, the Squadron served in Rwanda as part of the UNAMIR mission, for which it was jointly awarded the Wilkinson Sword of Peace.  Whilst in Rwanda, the Squadron contributed greatly to the stabilising of the situation and to the rebuilding of the country’s infrastructure.  This was achieved by providing sterilised water, constructing roads and bridges (including the longest operationally constructed Bailey Bridge since the Second World War), providing support to medical and dental facilities, general artisan trade work and mine clearance.

 1995

Between September 1995 and March 1996, the Squadron again deployed to Northern Ireland on a six month Op DESCANT tour, where tasks included the high profile decommissioning of military locations in Londonderry.  May 1996 began with Exercise PURPLE STAR, a combined UK/USA exercise held in the eastern USA.   

 1997

In January 1997, the Squadron deployed to Kenya on Exercise OAKAPPLE, which tasked the Squadron in the full field of artisan skills.  September 1998 saw the first deployment to the Balkans.  A six month operational tour pursued on OPFOR in Bosnia, based out of Gornji Vakuf, but being tasked over the full British Sector.  The Squadron’s tasks were centred around repairing, reinforcing and replacing camp structures.

2000

Between April – October 2000, the Squadron deployed on another Operation DESCANT tour to Northern Ireland, carrying out various tasks across the province and dismantling the famous golf towers of South Armagh.

2001

In August 2001, the Squadron deployed to Macedonia as part of the Multi National Force on Operation BESSEMER.  The main Squadron task was in support of the weapons collection operation.  Members of the Squadron also provided the vital infrastructure required to sustain such an operation, as well as constructing extensive force protection measures.  During the operation, Recce Troop, on their debut deployment, carried out vital route reconnaissance and with the assistance of geo technicians, produced mapping of routes throughout the country.  Sadly, during this operation, Sapper Ian Collins was tragically killed by Macedonian youths.

December 2001 saw a very quick deployment to Afghanistan, having only just returned from Macedonia.  The Squadron had an integral part to play in the International Security Assistance Force on Operation FINGAL.  The Squadron, based out of Kabul, provided vital infrastructure and force protection in support of 2 PARA Battlegroup, as part of the Multi National Engineer Group.

2003

Since 1976 the Squadron had been under command of 36 Engineer Regiment, However, January 2003 saw the formation of 23 Engineer Regiment (Air Assault) and with it the command change of 9 Parachute Squadron to the new RHQ.  Although this reformation occurred six months ahead of schedule, this did not deter the Squadron from its successful deployment on Operation TELIC to Iraq from January – July 2003.  The first time since the Falklands in 1982 saw the unit in a war fighting role in support of 16 Air Assault Brigade.  During the operation the Squadron’s intimate allegiance switched between 1 and 3 PARA Battalions as the plan changed, although both were supported by  9 Squadron throughout in some strength.  In April of that year the Squadron quickly adopted a humanitarian stance providing infrastructure and force protection to the two Battlegroups.  The resourcefulness and adaptability of the Squadron has to be seen or experienced to be believed.  They are without doubt one of the best known units in the Tri Service and has the amazing ability to “work hard, play hard” – a skill they have honed to perfection.  The ever changing face of the Army may move, merge or disband units, but it will never break or alter the spirit of the Airborne Sapper, specifically those past and present members of 9 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers.

2004

The Squadron currently serves as part of 23 Engineer Regiment (Air Assault) in Aldershot and provides close engineer support to 16 Air Assault Brigade.  The Squadron remains the longest continually serving in-role fighting unit in Airborne Forces.  The Squadron would like to express its sincere thanks to one of its own, Mr Tom Purves, from whose book “The 9^th”, some of the pictures covering the history were reproduced.