4th Parachute Brigade (United Kingdom)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 4th Parachute Brigade


caption=The divisional shoulder flash of the airborne forces
dates= 1 December 1942 to 10 December 1944
country= Great Britain
allegiance=
branch= British Army
type=Airborne
role=Parachute Infantry
size=Brigade
command_structure=1st Airborne Division
garrison=
current_commander=
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
notable_commanders= Brig John Hackett
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_2=
nickname=
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles= Operation Market Garden
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honours=

The British 4th Parachute Brigade was a brigade in the British Army during the Second World War.

History

The Brigade HQ was formed on 1 December 1942 in the Middle East , taking over (in Feb 1943) a parachute battalion originally formed in India and one newly-raised in the area. The brigade worked up in northern Palestine (its third battalion was originally formed on the Suez Canal ). The brigade (less its newest battalion) moved to Egypt in May 1943 and then by sea and road to Tunisia .

Assigned 1st Airborne Division 10 June 1943. The brigade sailed for Italy with the division, landing at Taranto 9 September 1943. In late Nov 1943 it sailed for the UK with the division.

Operation Market Garden

The brigade next went into action 17 September 1944 when dropped into Arnhem during Operation Market Garden. It was in a pocket with 1st Airborne Division until the remnants were withdrawn the night of 24 September 1944. This effectively ended the brigade’s existence; surviving details were posted to the 1st Parachute Brigade. Brigade HQ disbanded 10 December 1944 in the UK.

Component Units

* 156th Bn Parachute Regiment: 14 February 1943 - 30 September 1944
* 10th Bn Parachute Regiment: 23 February 1943 - 30 September 1944
* 11th Bn Parachute Regiment: 30 April 1943 - 20 May 1943
* 11th Bn Parachute Regiment [2] : 7 January 1944 - 30 September 1944

Commanding Officers

6 Dec 1942: Lt-Col K.B.I. Smyth (acting)
4 Jan 1943: Brig J.W. Hackett
5 Mar 1943: Lt-Col K.B.I. Smyth (acting)
8 Apr 1943: Brig J.W. Hackett
16 Oct 1943: Lt-Col K.B.I. Smyth (acting)
7 Nov 1943: Brig J.W. Hackett (WIA 24 Sep 1944)
24 Sep 1944: Lt-Col I.A. Murray (acting)

Sources

Information based on
*Lt. Col. H. F.Joslen, Orders of Battle, Second World War, 1939-1945 History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series (London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1960 in 2 vols; reprinted London: The London Stamp Exchange, 1990 in one vol)
*Lt-Col T. B. H. Otway, Airborne Forces The Second World War 1939-1945, Army (London: Imperial War Museum, Department of Printed Books, 1990; originally published as Confidential volume 1951 by the War Office)