The establishment and initial development of a British airborne force, June 1940-January 1942

The following thesis is an examination of the establishment and initial development of a British airborne force. Beginning with an examination of airborne development outside the UK up to 1940, it traces the growing British use of air transport as a tool for imperial policing in the inter-war period, and examines why this did not lead to the logical step of creating a dedicated British airborne force. The impact of German airborne operations and the defeat at Dunkirk in 1940 on British attitudes is then analysed, followed by a detailed examination of the mechanics of the establishment of a British airborne force, ending with the British 1st Parachute Brigade attaining operational status in January 1942.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

PhD

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Glasgow

Year dc:date.issued

2001

Author dc:creator

• Buckingham, William Frederick

• D731 World War II

Language dc:language

en