Route Marches in South Kesteven

Story

Paratroopers take a short break while on a route march near Grantham

Men of 3 Platoon, 'A' Company, 2nd Parachute Battalion, on a route march near Grantham, just before Operation MARKET GARDEN. (Via Bob Hilton)

Speed and mobility on foot with heavy equipment were key aspects of the Airborne role. Route marches were used as an aid to maintaining the troops' agility, speed and endurance.

The benefits of this training would be felt by the men of the 1st Airborne Division in September 1944, as they fought their way towards the primary goal - the Arnhem road bridge - some 8 miles (around 13km) from the drop zones and landing zones.

Of the 1st Airborne Division units in South Kesteven, only the War Diary of the 2nd Parachute Battalion contains enough information for its route marches to be plotted accurately on a map.

Please follow the links below for information on selected 2nd Parachute Battalion training marches:

Route March, 7 March 1944: 'B' Company, 2nd Parachute Battalion

Route march, 29 March 1944: 'A' Company, 2nd Parachute Battalion

Route March, 14 April 1944 : 'C' Company, 2nd Parachute Battalion

Route March, 1 May 1944: 'C' Company, 2nd Parachute Battalion

Route March, 1 May 1944: 2nd Parachute Battalion Signals Section and Assault Platoon