GLIDER PILOT REGIMENT
British 1st Airborne Division’s unique glider unit had a brief regimental history but won many battle honours
Formed on 21 December 1941, the Glider Pilot Regiment provided the crews for the British Army’s military gliders. It was created in response to successful German airborne operations during the Battle of France and was organised into two ‘Wings’. Each Wing contained seven squadrons and corresponded to a lightly armed infantry battalion.
The regiment’s pilots were army personnel who had hoped to join the RAF. A shortage of places in the air force meant that these men volunteered to be glider pilots so that they could still have an opportunity to fly. It was known as an ‘NCO Regiment’ because the lowest rank was sergeant while squadron and flight commanders were majors, lieutenants and captains. Pilots primarily flew Airspeed Horsas, although other gliders were used such as the GAL.48 Hotspur, GAL.49 Hamilcar and WACO CG-4 Hadrian.
The regiment first saw action during Operation Freshman in November 1942 and it received nine WWII battle honours. This included the invasion of Sicily, Normandy landings, Pegasus Bridge, Arnhem and crossing the River Rhine. It also participated in post-war operations such as the Berlin Aircraft and Operation Firedog in Malaya before it was amalgamated into the current Army Air Corps in 1957.