Main: pvl5-live
Backup: pvl5-backups
Cache: cache.pvl5.ninja
Assets: local
Queue: sqs
▪ Default: pastview-staging
▪ Low:
▪ High:
▪ Import:
Mail:
▪ Host: smtp.mailtrap.io
▪ Port: 2525
▪ User: 44243dc2b87ebd
Back to Explore more Timelines

On 22 June 1940 Prime Minister Winston Churchill wrote a minute to the British Chiefs of Staff directing the setting up of a Corps of Parachute soldiers. Number 2 Commando began parachute training at Ringway near Manchester the following month.

Events

Formation and Early Airborne Forces

On the 22nd June 1940, Winston Churchill sent a letter to General Ismay requesting a corps of at least 5000 troops. He had been impressed by the successes of German parachute and glider-borne troops who had secured vital objectives ahead of the armoured...

Read More

Articles

Early Parachuting and Airborne Forces

The concept of human flight is a relatively new art, while a safe descent from the air has followed closely behind. One of the earliest conceptions of a version of paragliding came in a detailed sketch by Leonardo Da Vinci. Pioneering theorists experime...

Read More

Churchill's Letter

Following Churchill's wishes for "a corps of at least 5,000 parachute troops, suitably organised and equipped" a Parachute Training School was established at Ringway Airport near Manchester, and No 2 Commando was chosen for the first training in parachu...

Read More