Paratrooper

To be a paratrooper meant a great deal. Everyone knew that the training was very tough, both physically and mentally. Only half of the recruits who started training managed to complete it.

Jump School lasted 4 weeks: week A, B, C and D. Week A separated the wheat from the chaff after extremely arduous training which involved rope climbing, push-ups, long marches,judo, hand to hand combat, etc.

Week B focused on parachuting, how to steer in the air and how to land safely. The physical training was even more rigorous.

During week C the men were taught to pack their parachutes and the first jumps were made, first from 9 meters and then from 76 meters high. Most of the men dropped out in weeks A and B, but the jumps made in week C also led to further 'victims'.

During week D the physical training continued and the men made the first real parachute jumps. Anyone who made it to the end of these the gruelling four weeks, automatically got his jump wings (paratroopers license).

Involved: Lieutenant Colonel Robert Cole and soldier Robert Watts are both deployed as paratroopers on September 17 during Operation Market Garden.