PARACHUTE TROOPS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 February 1941, Page 6

PARACHUTE TROOPS

TRAINING IN BRITAIN IN PROGRESS FOR MONTHS PAST. USE OF SPECIAL GEAR, It is reported, the 8.8. C. states, that parachute troops have been training in Britain for some time. Some had already begun their training last summer, when a German invasion was anticipated. A correspondent saw a number of troops descending from planes, making use of special release gear, which ensures more direct action than when the parachutist pulls the rip cord. The troops are formidably armed. NUMEROUS FORCE TRAINED FOR INVASION. TEST DEMONSTRATION.

(British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 11.5 a.rn.l RUGBY. February 19, The British parachutists who landed recently in Italy belong to a body of men who are being specially trained for the invasion of enemy territory. Hitherto their existence has been a closelyguarded British war secret.

It cun now be revealed that they were practising dropping from the skies and seizing or damaging key . points behind the lines even when - Britain was expecting to be invaded ci last summer, Soldiers who are being e trained for this role volunteer for it - and receive appropriate rdlownnces. j After selection they are pul through r the most gruelling physical tests. They present a curious sight when fully t equipped Goggles hide their eyes fjand crash helmets alter the shape -I <>f their heads, Their jackets are Cj shaped to the hips and the trousers ,j fit into the lop (if their footwear, which Jan' on the German pattern. The silk i shrouds of their parachutes open with- , j in a few seconds of each man leaping . i from a plane. Special release gear, . ensuing a more inskmlaneous action ! .han is obtainable by the parachutist I himself pulling at a ripcord, makes I j this possible. . Attached to another parachute is a kit bag containing [equipment To enable high ollieors of > the British forces to see them engagI ed in the type of operation they might[be ordered to undertake, a realistic I exercise has been staged over a strip ■of moorland in the south of England. ■ it ..A F troop-carriers unobtrusively i came through cloud. In bud weather conditions, with poor visibility, they I had found their way to the point I where the parachutists were to be re- ! leased. The troops were dropped in ; rapid succession from low-flying air* 1 craft, their parachutes opening its they I fell, lo demonstrate how a surprise i landing could be made. Though the I air-borne force in this particular exercise was small, much larger numbers could be effectively employed if the need arose. Meanwhile, as the R.A.F. troop carriers vanished into the clouds almost t<s quickly jts they hud appeared The troops unharnessed their parachutes immediately they landed, and. in accordance with a prearranged jilan, rushed to certain points, their weapons ready for action Their orders. under the exercise, were to nti tack and occupy a small factory, j '.‘.-here it was known that a high perI sunnge and some of the most senior I oflicers of the enemy high command I were to watch a private demonstration ‘of a new weapon being made there. ; Im- tacto:-}', though m an isolated ; ijositieri. was guarded by sentries and i-myluyerl iibtiu: fifty civilian workers. It Was added that the greatest care had been taken by the enemy m an ..'tempt :<> preserve the secrecy M the r.itd It was the duly of the parai hu’e troops to surround their objeeuve until the arrival of more par.;elmte troop< tn ;u -t 1( ( j<-m<>htm n piusy m the u.- -tructmn of the factor}’ ihe denuinstratiofi proved the eificjcncy ..I _ the eh.sv m-opm-amm between the RA r ..i.<l the Army.