Definition of Parachute Forces

They have a reputation of being among the toughest fighters in modern armies, and it is not for less, since the main task of the paratroopers (also called briefly "paracas”) Is to fight behind enemy lines, always against forces that are superior in number and better equipped with regard to heavy weapons and armor.

The paratroopers or airborne forces are infantry units belonging to the land army, but whose main committed and what they are trained for is to be transported by plane behind enemy lines, landing after jumping into parachute.

Despite this definition, it should be noted that throughout history, airborne units have been used as line infantry. For his training, which must be tough, many times they are at the level of special forces.

Historically, the idea of ​​a piece of cloth held in such a way as to present resistance to the wind and, therefore, slow down the fall of a person or an object, was already caressed by Cordoba Abbas Ibn Firnás (who did a more or less satisfactory test in 852), and by the Italian Renaissance genius Leonardo Da Vinci (who did not materialize his idea, unless know).

instagram story viewer

However, it was not until the end of the 18th century that the first functional parachutes were manufactured, and until the period between the two world wars when technology and designs matured enough to think in sending groups of armed soldiers behind enemy lines.

The main utility of the parachute was to save the lives of the pilots, but it could also serve as tool from transport to allow a soft landing of troop formations launched from a airplane in mid-flight, thus eliminating the need for runways.

The main powers, such as Italy, the USSR, the United States, Great Britain, Germany or Japan, worked in their airborne military units.

The Second World War would be the scenario in which the paratroopers would show their worth, although the weaknesses of the airborne units would also be seen.

A serious problem with paratroopers is that if they are dropped too close to the target, they run the risk from being shot down on their way down by the enemy, but if they are released too far, their progression Getting to the goal may be difficult, as they can carry few vehicles with their equipment. transport.

These, initially, were reduced to motorcycles, off-road cars and the like, and some light tank.

The first uses of airborne units in regular combat operations correspond to Germany in 1940.

The seizure of the Belgian fort of Eben-Emael is a perfectly planned feat, and a maneuver that is still studied today in military academies. There, the Fallschirmjäger (the name given to German paratroopers) began to cement their legend.

Also during the Battle of France, one of the most common uses of airborne bodies would take shape: the taking of bridges located behind enemy lines to prevent their destruction and facilitate the advance of their own troops.

The capture of the island of Crete by Fallschirmjäger troops was the greatest success for the German “paracas”, but it also proved that they were very vulnerable units.

The casualty rate in that operation far exceeded anything seen so far. Crete was the singing from the swan of the Fallschirmjäger airborne operations which Hitler will thereafter reserve as line infantry units for delicate operations, such as the defense of the Montecasino monastery in 1944.

In the Allied camp, Operation Torch to recapture North Africa, and later in the invasion of Sicily, were the baptism of fire of the North American and British airborne units, and that served as Bank of tests for an operation that would decide the course of the war: Operation Overlord.

The Normandy landing also had its quota of parachute drops, with the aim of capturing essential points or destroying enemy artillery.

Although most of the objectives were achieved (for example, the taking of the Pegaso Bridge), there were also some spectacular failures, such as the massacre de Saint-Mère-Église, where a detachment of "paracas" was thrown by mistake in the center of the town, being shot in mid-flight by the German defenders.

In general, many of the paratrooper units that took part in the operation dispersed and ended up coming into contact with the infantry landed on the beaches over the days following.

But, on a numerical level, Overlord was nothing compared to Market Garden, a failed operation, and the successful operation Varsity.

On the Soviet side, their only unsuccessful attempt was Operation Vyazma. In the Pacific there were also small operations by the Japanese and North Americans.

Airborne troops continued to be considered a necessity in postwar armies.

Some examples of conflicts in which airborne forces were used after the Second War World War I include the First Indochina War (for example, the siege of Dien Bien Phu), the later conflict Vietnam (here we can include the iconic troop transport helicopter deployments by the US), the Afghanistan war (by of Soviet paratroopers), and more recently, in 1983 the United States Army blew up different airborne units over the island of Grenade.

Photos: Fotolia - ID1974 / R52

Topics in Parachute Forces