A original and - regrettably small 8.4cm by 5.7cm - period made group photograph dispicting men of the 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade getting ready for a most likely practice jump in full kit including Enfield or Bren valise's in Italy March 1945

This is a great example of a original period made group photograph dispicting men of the 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade getting ready for a most likely practice jump in full kit including Enfield or Bren valise's in Italy March 1945. The 2nd Parachute Brigade was the second parachute infantry brigade to be formed by the British Army in 1942; it was initially part of the 1st Airborne Division but in 1943, after the invasion of Italy, became an independent formation. As an independent brigade it was variously assigned at different times, and served under the command of the 2nd New Zealand Division, the 8th Indian Infantry Division, and the 1st Airborne Task Force. Before the end of the Second World War in Europe the brigade saw active service in Italy, the South of France and Greece. At the end of the European war the brigade returned to the United Kingdom and was intended to join the 44th Indian Airborne Division in the Far East, for service against the Japanese Empire, but the war ended before they sailed. Instead the brigade was assigned to the 6th Airborne Division, which had been named the Imperial Strategic Reserve, and sent to serve in the Mandate of Palestine.

Code: 51898