The Origin of the Canadian Airborne Regiment
Canada first went airborne in the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion and the First Special Service Force in non-artillery roles in July 1942. They served in significant campaigns, including the D-Day Landing.
In June 1944, Canadian Gunners assumed artillery roles with 1, 2 & 3 Forward Observation Units in the British Airborne Division. Their primary purpose was to direct ground artillery fire and assist with counter-mortar operations.
In 1947, Canada created the Special Air Service Company with parachute units. Over the next twenty years, they reorganized the units, renaming them “Mobile Strike Force” and later “Defence of Canada Force.”
Gunners from 2 Forward Observation Unit, May 1945.
On 26 July 1949, Canada formed its first airborne battery, B Light Battery, 1 RCHA in Shilo, Manitoba. In July 1950, they renamed it 1st Light Battery (Para), then Z Battery (Para). From 1949 to 1956, the battery provided airborne support and deployed with 4.2 Inch Mortars and 75mm Pack Howitzers.
In 1968, the Canadian Forces created the Airborne Regiment stationed in Edmonton, Alberta. They represented Canada’s rapid reaction force, an independent brigade composed of two infantry commandos, one artillery battery, and other support units.
The artillery battery served in Edmonton from 1968 to 1977, with 80 members operating 105mm L5 Howitzers and 81mm Mortars. In 1977, the Canadian Airborne moved to Petawawa, Ontario, and E Battery (Para), 2 RCHA became the artillery component.
Bringing L5 Howitzer into action, last drop, 3 Sept 1993.
E Battery (Para) troops Sept 1993.
Canada deployed the Airborne Regiment during the October Crisis in 1970 and the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus in 1974. The invasion killed two Airborne troops and wounded 30. They completed tours of Cyprus until 1986.
The Canadian Airborne deployed to Western Sahara in 1991 and Somalia in 1993. In Somalia, two Airborne soldiers killed a Somali teenager, leading to the disbanding of E Battery (Para) in 1993 and the Airborne Regiment in 1995. To this day, Canada maintains an airborne component in regular force units.
By Andrew Oakden