Parachute Training
The 2nd Battalion started their Parachute training at Hardwick Hall, in Cheshire, in December of 1941. The facilities at Hardwick included an assault course, a parachute jump tower and a tethered barrage balloon from which the trainee parachutists would learn the basic skills required for this newly emerging combat technique.
Once the would-be Parachutists had passed their initial training, they were required to march the 50 miles to Ringway, near Manchester, to complete their course with live jumps from Whitley aircraft. The drop zone (DZ) was a nearby country estate, called Tatton Park. After each jump the trainees were expected to march the 7 miles back to Ringway with their full kit.
Overall, during this month, the 1st Parachute Brigade made 1750 training jumps from aircraft and balloons. In total 257 men took the course, 237 qualified, 13 were injured, 5 became sick and 2 refused to jump (Just Ordinary Men).
