Parachute troops
Parachute troops, commonly referred to as paratroopers, are military personnel trained to be deployed from aircraft by parachute. The concept of airborne soldiers emerged in the interwar period, with the Soviet Union being one of the first to develop such a corps. However, it wasn't until World War II that these troops saw active combat, notably through the German Fallschirmjäger during key invasions, including those of Normandy and the Low Countries. Their distinctive attire, including a chin-strapped helmet and camouflaged smock, has influenced the uniforms of many airborne units worldwide. Paratroopers offer strategic advantages by enabling rapid troop deployment in challenging terrains, allowing forces to quickly reach strategic objectives. Despite the benefits, parachute operations have limitations, such as challenges in maintaining formation during descent and the need to drop heavier equipment separately, resulting in lighter armament for the troops. Despite these drawbacks, the unique capabilities of parachute troops ensure their continued relevance in modern military operations.
Subject Terms
Parachute troops
Troops deployed from an aircraft by parachute. The Soviets were among the first to develop a corps of airborne soldiers in the interim between World Wars I and II (1918–1939). Parachute troops were not, however, used in combat until 1940, when German Fallschirmjager (“parachute light infantry”) took part in the invasions of Normandy and the Low Countries. These German airborne troops set the mode of attire for most parachute units to follow: chin-strapped helmet, loose trousers tucked into leather jump boots, and a camouflaged smock. By the end of World War II (1939–1945), paratroopers (as parachute troops are usually called) were considered to be among the elite.
While the deployment of paratroopers is advantageous in that it allows large bodies of armed troops to be quickly deposited near an objective—even in the roughest terrain—it also has marked disadvantages. Wind often disperses parachute infantry, preventing an immediate attack in formation. Moreover, artillery and other heavy arms must be dropped separately. Paratroopers, then, are relatively lightly armed. Nevertheless, parachute operations retain enough tactical significance to assure their continued existence.