Background
Impressed by the success of German airborne operations during the Battle of France, British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, directed the War Office to investigate the possibility of creating a corps of 5,000 parachute troops. As a result, on 22 June 1940, No. 2 Commando assumed parachute duties and on 21 November was re-designated the 11th Special Air Service Battalion, with a parachute and glider wing. On 21 June 1940 the Central Landing Establishment was formed at Ringway airfield near Manchester. Although tasked primarily with training parachute troops, it was also directed to investigate the use of gliders to transport troops into battle. At the same time, the Ministry of Aircraft Production contracted General Aircraft Ltd to design and produce a glider for use by airborne troops. The result was the General Aircraft Hotspur, an aircraft capable of transporting eight airborne soldiers that was used for both assault and training purposes. The success of the first British airborne raid Operation Colossus prompted the War Office to expand the airborne force through the creation of the Parachute Regiment as well as the conversion of a number of infantry battalions to airborne battalions. The result was the 1st Airborne Division comprising the 1st Parachute Brigade and the 1st Airlanding Brigade.
Read more about this topic: 1st Airlanding Brigade (United Kingdom)
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