Airborne Forces Collection

Westland Belvedere
Bristol Belvedere HC.1 helicopters of 66 Squadron lifting loads, 1961

Hamilcar Gliders
Hamilcar gliders and Halifax V glider tugs of 644 Squadron, RAF Tarrant Rushton 12 October 1944

M22 Locust tank
A M22 Locust tank partially in a General Aircraft Hamilcar glider

Vickers Light Tank Mk. VII Tetrarch
Loading a Tetrarch tank into a General Aircraft Hamilcar glider

Ammunition and supplies dropped to the troops at Arnhem, 18 September 1944 (b / w photo)
5922352 Ammunition and supplies dropped to the troops at Arnhem, 18 September 1944 (b/w photo) by Smith, D.M. Sgt. (fl.1939-45); National Army Museum

A paratrooper armed with a PIAT covers a road at Arnhem, 1944 (b / w photo)
5922350 A paratrooper armed with a PIAT covers a road at Arnhem, 1944 (b/w photo) by Smith, D.M. Sgt. (fl.1939-45); National Army Museum

Men of 1st Airborne Division moving forward into Arnhem, 19 September 1944 (b / w photo)
5922339 Men of 1st Airborne Division moving forward into Arnhem, 19 September 1944 (b/w photo) by Smith, D.M. Sgt. (fl.1939-45); National Army Museum

War correspondent Alan Wood typing out a despatch, 1944 (b / w photo)
5922351 War correspondent Alan Wood typing out a despatch, 1944 (b/w photo) by Smith, D.M. Sgt. (fl.1939-45); National Army Museum

Troops dug in holding Brigade Headquarters, Arnhem, 18 September 1944 (b / w photo)
5922349 Troops dug in holding Brigade Headquarters, Arnhem, 18 September 1944 (b/w photo) by Smith, D.M. Sgt. (fl.1939-45); National Army Museum

Airborne troops with 75 mm gun, Arnhem, 1944 (b / w photo)
5922340 Airborne troops with 75 mm gun, Arnhem, 1944 (b/w photo) by Smith, D.M. Sgt. (fl.1939-45); National Army Museum, London; (add.info)

Members of 1st Airborne Division take cover in a shell hole, Arnhem, 17 September 1944 (b / w photo)
5922355 Members of 1st Airborne Division take cover in a shell hole, Arnhem, 17 September 1944 (b/w photo) by Smith, D.M. Sgt

Paratroops of 1st Airlanding Brigade disembark from their gliders on the outskirts of Arnhem
5922354 Paratroops of 1st Airlanding Brigade disembark from their gliders on the outskirts of Arnhem, 17 September 1944 (b/w photo) by Smith, D.M. Sgt

A paratrooper defending Divisional Headquarters at the Hartenstein Hotel, Arnhem, 23 September 1944 (b / w photo)
5922348 A paratrooper defending Divisional Headquarters at the Hartenstein Hotel, Arnhem, 23 September 1944 (b/w photo) by Smith, D.M. Sgt

Sergeant C Bennet of the 1st Airlanding Brigade, Arnhem, 27 September 1944 (b / w photo)
5922347 Sergeant C Bennet of the 1st Airlanding Brigade, Arnhem, 27 September 1944 (b/w photo) by Smith, D.M. Sgt. (fl.1939-45); National Army Museum

Westland Whirlwind HAR. 10 prototype
Westland Whirlwind HAS.7 of 848 Squadron from HMS Bulwark, with Royal Marine Commandos in the snow at Worthy Down, December 1959

U. S. Army paratroopers prepare to board a CH-47 Chinook
June 20, 2014 - U.S. Army paratroopers prepare to board a CH-47 Chinook helicopter for an airborne operation with Slovenian service members at the Juliet drop zone in Pordenone, Italy

HALO jumpers prepare to land on the landing zone in Florida
April 22, 2015 - High altitude low opening jumpers prepare to land on the landing zone during Emerald Warrior 2015, at Elizabeth Drop Zone, Florida

A U. S. Army Green Beret waits to jump out of a C-130H3 Hercules
April 22, 2015 - A U.S. Army Green Beret from the 7th Special Forces Group waits to jump out of a C-130H3 Hercules for a high-altitude military parachuting mission during Emerald Warrior at Hurlburt

Personnel jump from a C-130 Hercules during a static-line jump
April 22, 2015 - Personnel from Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group participate in static-line jumps during Emerald Warrior 2015, at Elizabeth Range, Florida

A HALO jumper lands on the landing zone in Florida
April 22, 2015 - A high altitude low opening jumper lands on the landing zone during Emerald Warrior 2015, at Elizabeth Drop Zone, Florida

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"Airborne Forces: The Courageous Heroes of the Skies" In the annals of military history, few units have captured the imagination quite like airborne forces. With their daring tactics and unwavering determination, these brave soldiers took to the skies in iconic aircraft such as the Westland Belvedere and Hamilcar Gliders, ready to drop into enemy territory. Their missions were not for the faint-hearted. Equipped with formidable weapons like the M22 Locust tank and Vickers Light Tank Mk. VII Tetrarch, they brought heavy firepower wherever they landed. Even ammunition and supplies were dropped from above to support them during critical moments like at Arnhem on September 18th, 1944. The black-and-white photographs tell a story of resilience amidst chaos. A paratrooper armed with a PIAT stands guard over a road while troops move forward into Arnhem on September 19th, 1944. War correspondent Alan Wood diligently types out dispatches amidst the turmoil. Amidst it all, these airborne warriors dug in at Brigade Headquarters or sought refuge in shell holes while under fire. Their courage was unmatched as they disembarked from gliders on the outskirts of Arnhem on September 17th, 1944. These images capture only glimpses of their extraordinary sacrifice and bravery. Airborne forces exemplified heroism beyond measure - men who defied gravity to fight for freedom.