A Story of Three Nations
Men of the 1st Parachute Battalion at Barkston Heath, 17 September 1944. (Paradata/Airborne Assault Museum)
To Arnhem from South Kesteven
American military uniforms became a familiar sight in Grantham
American Forces changed Local Life
Polish Forces called Stamford Home
ALLIED AIRBORNE UNITS IN SOUTH KESTEVEN
23 September 1944: a patrol of paratroopers moves through the ruins of Oosterbeek. (Paradata/Airborne Assault Museum)
British 1st Airborne Division
The 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade, based in Stamford, Lincolnshire, symbolised determination. Flying from Saltby and Spanhoe, they landed near Arnhem to support Allied forces. Despite delays and heavy losses, their bravery and loyalty left an enduring legacy tied to Lincolnshire's wartime contributions.
1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade
Paratroopers of the US 82nd Airborne Division help each other prepare their parachutes and equipment for D-Day at Saltby airfield, June 1944. (US Army)
US Airborne Forces in the East Midlands, 1943-45
Lieutenant Colonel Joel Crouch with his D-Day crew. Standing L to R: Nav - Capt William Culp; Pilot - Lt Col Joel L Crouch; Radio - Cpl Harold E Coonrod; Co-pilot - Capt Vito S Pedone. Kneeling L to R: Surgeon - Capt Edward E Cannon; Crew Chief Edward F. Laurendeau. (via Steve Pedone)
US Pathfinders spearheaded Assault on D-Day
North Witham, 5 June 1944: Pathfinders of the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, and aircrew of the C-47 that would fly them to Normandy just hours later. (US Army photo, public domain)
US Airborne Pathfinders in World War II
Operations
Map showing the amphibious and airborne routes planned for the Allied forces on Operation NEPTUNE, 6 June 1944. (US Army, public domain)
NEPTUNE (D-Day)
The Allies pursue the enemy to the German border, 26 August-10 September 1944. (US Army Official History)
MARKET GARDEN
Norway is an extremely rugged country, with a coastline stretching nearly 18,000 miles (nearly 29,000 km). (Wikimedia Commons)
DOOMSDAY
Allied Occupation Zones in Germany from June 1945. (US Military Academy, public domain)
ECLIPSE
In Denmark, British paratroopers landed from South Kesteven, putting British 'boots on the ground' to disarm the remaining German occupation forces and to dissuade the Soviet Army from occupying the country.
Explore the mission that helped shaped post-war Europe.
Training
British paratroops walking across a dropzone after a training jump. (Critical Past Film 65675058877)
1st Airborne Battle Training
Discover how the Division spent the following months on intensive training until it landed at Arnhem in September 1944.
(IWM D 68514)
Exercises in South Kesteven
Men of 3 Platoon, 'A' Company, 2nd Parachute Battalion, on a route march near Grantham, just before Operation MARKET GARDEN. (Via Bob Hilton)
Route Marches in South Kesteven
All Stories (alphabetical order)
Men of 3 Platoon, 'A' Company, 2nd Parachute Battalion, on a route march near Grantham, just before Operation MARKET GARDEN. (Via Bob Hilton)
Route Marches in South Kesteven
Technical Sergeant Theodore Carter Brewer while serving with the US 314th Troop Carrier Group at Saltby during World War II. (via Beryl Guest)
The American GI father that Beryl never knew
C-47 42-23342 of the 314th Troop Carrier Group at Harlaxton after its crash-landing in January 1945. (via Col Mark Vlahos)
The Day a C-47 crash-landed at Harlaxton airfield
Story by Colonel Mark C 'Plug' Vlahos, USAF – Retired, World War II 314th Troop Carrier Group Historian and Author.
HM King George VI inspects a training course in air re-supply in the grounds of Harlaxton Hall, Lincolnshire. Units on parade were the 250th (Airborne) Light Composite Company, Royal Army Service Corps, who were teaching this course to the 253rd Divisional Composite Company, Royal Army Service Corps. (Sgt Rooke, Army Film & Photographic Unit, via Bob Hilton)
The King's Visit to the British 1st Airborne Division, 16 March 1944
The sheepdog that cheered Polish paratroopers
British paratroopers and gliders land on Renkum Heath, near Arnhem. (Paradata/Airborne Assault Museum)
To Arnhem from South Kesteven
Lieutenant General Andrew S D Harrison DSO MBE
Top Para supports Airborne Forces Heritage Trail
British paratroops walking across a dropzone after a training jump. (Critical Past Film 65675058877)
Training for Battle in South Kesteven
June 1944: Paratroopers of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, US 82nd Airborne Division, check their parachutes at Saltby airfield in preparation for D-Day. (US Army Signal Corps)
US Airborne Forces in the East Midlands, 1943-45
Other Resources
Image: British airborne forces preparing to leave for Arnhem from RAF Barkston Heath
Airborne History & Museums on the Internet
