No1(Guards) Para Company. “The Pathfinders” of The Airborne Division
Every man in the Guards Parachute Company had one or more specialist jobs.
All members were super fit - running 6-8miles a day in boots five days a week in rain, hail, wind or snow. Sometimes with Bergan’s loaded with 50lbs (22.5 KG) of kit.
Every member of this Special Forces Company were very highly trained soldiers.
They included:
Linguists, Medic (including Dentistry) Signallers Both Voice & Morse, Astro Navigators
Weapon Instructors( Including Anti Tank) PTI’s, Halo Free Fallers & Armoured vehicle crews.
We also had our own Pipers who were members from The Scots Guards & The Irish Guards.
All members were capable of leading a patrol. (It didn’t have to be an Officer or a NCO)
Most were HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) trained Free Fall Parachutist. Making it a very exclusive company of soldiers.
In 1975 the clever people at the MOD decided to do away with this highly skilled Pathfinder unit only to reverse their decision nine years later as they then realised that they had made a big mistake (they had no Pathfinders to lay the DZ’s for the Para Brigade)
No apology was given for their mistake and so another highly skill company of soldiers had been killed of by the MOD who's people don't seem to understand anything about the military which they have control of.
A new Pathfinder Company had to be found quickly from the men of the Parachute Regiment.
After training a new Pathfinder Company was introduced back into the Parachute Brigade in 1984.
Earlier in 1966 members of the Guards Parachute Company formed the nucleus of "G "Squadron 22 SAS
"THE PATHFINDINDERS"
Of The Parachute Brigade
From 1948-1975
No1 (Guards) Independant Parachute Company
The Original
"PATHFINDERS"
Note: It has been reported on the Internet in many obscure bulletins that The Guards Parachute Company disbanded in 1977. These Bulletins should read October 24 -1975
HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) The Original way of British Military Free Falling
(about circa 1967)
''THE PATHFINDERS''
The Pathfinder Role:
This Highly trained Company of Paratroopers Jumped mostly at night.
The pathfinders initial role was to parachute into a secret drop DZ (drop zone) to establish the area, clearing it of any enemy and keeping it secure until the commencement of the main parachute drop by the Parachute Brigade. This usually took place the next day, but could vary due to severe weather conditions. Apart from clearing and holding the DZ of any enemy, the Pathfinders role was to set up a ground to air radio link to enable the DZ commander to communicate with the aircraft pilots when on their final approach (''the run in'') for the main drop of the Parachute Brigade. This could involve as many as 15-20 aircraft, and sometimes more)
DZ Commanders: They had to be aware that sometimes they would have to guide the aircraft in by the sound of the engines as weather conditions could suddenly change with mist and fog that could hamper the pilots view to the drop zone. As the main drop arrived the ''Pathfinders'' would make ready the DZ code letter, which was known only to the DZ Party and the RAF pilots (insuring that they dropped their cargo on the correct DZ)
After the main Parachute drop, and ''Heavy Drop''(Equipment and Vehicles) had taken place The Pathfinders would then take up their normal role as forward Reconnaissance Patrols.
DZ Codes Letters: On a night time drop these code letters are illuminated by torches or fire at the very last moment so as not to attract any nearby enemy and to also to give the pilots a visual of the code letter (depending on the weather) of the correct DZ to drop on. The code letter was a very important factor, for as the Brigade drops it would also include a second drop minutes after the main assault called a ''Heavy Drop'' which involved dropping vehicles such as Scout Cars and Land Rovers,and stores which could included some heavy weapons that were also parachuted in, but this time onto another DZ close by to the main drop zone. The code letters were the key to differentiate between the two DZ's. As already mentioned we now have two code letters, these code letter would be issued only to both Pathfinder DZ parties and the RAF Pilots, enabling them to drop on the correct code letter applicable to their DZ as issued at their flying briefing prior to take off.
The Changing role after DZ Clearance:
The
Pathfinders role, after the Parachute Brigade had dropped and cleared
the DZ was one of forward recce company, with four troops of highly trained
patrols, usually with two Armoured Ferret
Scout Cars and two Land-Rovers per troop, backed up by a forward and
rear link communications centre attached to the HQ Troop which would follow behind. There was also two Anti Tank guns fitted to the Land rovers of the Anti Tank troop. These five troops would enable a broad eye
across the front of the Parachute Brigade. The Ferret Scout cars and
Landrovers were dropped usually in the first three or four aircraft of
the "Heavy Drop" so as to enable the Guards Company to collect their
vechicles and get away up front of the Para Brigade to recce and
report back as the spearhead of the Parachute Brigade followed on behind.
The Special Forces Role: (1964 & 1965)
During this period in the 1960's The Guards Parachute Company formation changed to a Special Forces Company and were now working with 22 SAS in the same SAS role. The Guards Company changed from Pathfinder/Reconnaissance patrols, to Special Forces four man deep penetration Jungle Patrols.
The Pathfinding role was kept by leaving one troop behind in the UK
by: Field Marshall the Viscount Montgomery of Alamein.