Overture to Overlord: The Preparations of D-Day by Francis Mackay

Author:Francis Mackay
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Bisac Code 1: HIS027100
ISBN: eBook ISBN: 9781844683277
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2005-11-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

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As mentioned in Chapter Two the Inter-Services Training and Development Centre had been tasked with investigating airborne forces. The subsequent report recommended the formation of a dedicated evaluation, development and training centre for air-landing techniques. This was accepted, and by May 1940 the Central Landing School (CLS) was formed. (In June 1940 the ISTDC was absorbed into the recently formed Directorate of Combined Operations, which initially assumed overall responsibility for the development of airborne forces.) The role of the CLS, which later became the Central Landing Establishment, was to devise techniques and tactics for transporting troops, equipment and vehicles onto the battlefield. The troops could be raiding forces or an all-arms formation capable of fighting a conventional battle or denying enemy the use of vital ground until a larger land force arrived on the scene.

RAF Ringway

By May 1940 the War Office and the Air Ministry had selected staff for a development formation, agreed on scales of equipment and procured accommodation at RAF Ringway, on the new orbital road (hence the name) south of Manchester. As the PTS had to share the airfield with other users it is not clear why Ringway was selected; perhaps it was all that was available at a time of massive expansion of all services, and despite Churchill’s interest in airborne forces many senior officers felt they were a waste of time. The CLS was allocated six powered aircraft and some small civilian gliders, plus 1,000 aircrew-type parachutes. On 21 June 1940 the CLS was declared operational despite having few parachutes and only one Whitley bomber for dropping parachutists. The unit consisted of a headquarters with sections for supplies, transport, maintenance and administration, and three training and development elements, the Parachute Training Squadron (PTS), the Glider Training Squadron, and the Development Unit. The PTS later became the Parachute Training School, then No. 1 Parachute Training School, RAF; it remained at Ringway until 1947. Between 21 June 1940 and VJ Day, 15 August 1945, it trained hundreds of parachute jump instructors and assistant parachute jump instructors, and thousands of men and women from all services, some secret, of many nations.

Early parachute tests were made onto the open spaces of Tatton Park, close to Ringway, owned by Lord Egerton of the famous Manchester brewing family. He had readily given his consent to the use of his ground and the park was used by the PTS throughout the war. Among other things its lakes were used by SOE and other organizations for water-jumps, an attempt to find a way of making softer landings, and more secure landing sites, for agents. Development work for that idea included the WELBUM waterproof parachute-cum-self-propelled flotation suit, hence the name. The RAF and Army staff at Ringway had realized that parachuting onto a busy airfield was hardly a realistic proposition. The choice of Ringway was unfortunate; it was subject to much fog and rain that restricted the amount of flying which could take place each year. The airfield was also too small

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