The Parachute Battalion,

(circa 1942 to 1944)

The Parachute Battalion,

(circa mid 1944)

The Parachute Battalion,

(circa 1945 only)

Battalion Headquarters

(4 Officers)

Headquarters Company

(7 Officers, 138 men)

Company HQ (2 Officers, 7 men)

Staff Section (7 men)

Mess Section (25 men)

Communications Platoon (1 Officer, 22 men)

Light Machine Gun Platoon (2 Officers, 40 men)

Mortar Platoon (2 Officers, 37 men)

Three Rifle Companies

(8 Officers, 119 men) each

 comprised of;

Company HQ (2 Officers, 14 men)

Three Rifle Platoons, each comprised of;

Platoon HQ (2 Officers, 5 men)

Mortar Squad (6 men)

Two Rifle Squads, each comprised of 12 men

Total Strength of 530 all ranks

(35 Officers and 495 men)

Battalion Headquarters

(6 Officers)

Headquarters Company

(7 Officers, 180 men)

Company HQ (4 Officers, 15 men)

Staff Section (15 men)

Mess Section (22 men)

Communications Platoon (27 men)

Supply Section (13 men)

Light Machine Gun Platoon (1 Officer, 46 men)

Mortar Platoon (2 Officers, 42 men)

Three Rifle Companies

(5 Officers, 125 men) each

 comprised of;

Company HQ (2 Officers, 20 men)

Three Rifle Platoons, each comprised of;

Platoon HQ (1 Officer, 5 men)

Mortar Squad (6 men)

Two Rifle Squads, each comprised of 12 men

Total Strength of 583 all ranks

(27 Officers and 556 men)

Battalion Headquarters

(6 Officers)

Headquarters Company

(7 Officers, 165 men)

Company HQ (3 Officers, 22 men)

Battalion Headquarters Section (15 men)

Supply Section (13 men)

Communications Platoon (27 men)

Light Machine Gun Platoon (1 Officer, 46 men)

Mortar Platoon (3 Officers, 42 men)

Three Rifle Companies

(8 Officers, 168 men) each

comprised of;

Company HQ (2 Officers, 27 men)

Three Rifle Platoons, each comprised of;

Platoon HQ (2 Officers, 5 men)

Mortar Squad (6 men)

Three Rifle Squads, each comprised of 12 men

Total Strength of 706 all ranks

(37 Officers and 669 men)