Parachutist Song Hits Booklet, Ringway Aerodrome, 9th Bn, Parachute Regiment 1945
Humorous and macabre verses set to popular tunes, on the life of a paratrooper in training, No. 1 Parachute Training School, RAF Ringway. Privately published for the Parachute Regiment by County Press
\"An odd collection of songs composed and sung by the parachutists whilst undergoing training at Ringway Aerodrome...collected by CSMI Grant of APTC 9 Bn. Parachute Regiment\"
In 1946 No 1 PTS moved from Ringway to RAF Upper Heyford in Oxfordshire, and in 1947 9th Bn was amalgamated into the 8th
8 page booklet in soft card covers
References to Tatton park, Whitley Hole (Armstrong Whitworth Whitley), X-type Statichute, Kilkenny\'s Circus, \'Bessie\' barrage balloon, etc. Examples:-
\"He jumps through the hole with the greatest of ease
His feet are together and so are his knees
If his chute doesn\'t open he\'ll fall like a stone
And we\'ll cart him away on a spoon!\"
When first I came to P.T.S.
My C.O. he advised
Take lots and lots of underwear
You’ll need it I surmise,
But I replied “By gad sir,
Whatever may befall
I’ll always keep my trousers clean
When jumping through the hole\".
Jumping through the hole,
Jumping through the hole,
I’ll always keep my trousers
Clean when jumping through the holeHe hit the ground, the sound was ‘splat,”
The blood went spurting high,
His pals were heard to say
\"Oh what a pretty way to die,\"
They rolled him up still in his chute,
And poured him from his boots,
And he ain’t going to jump no more.
Glory, glory, what a hell of a way to die.
Glory, glory, what a hell of a way to die.
Glory, glory, what a hell of a way to die.
And he ain’t going to jump no more.
There was blood upon the lift webs,
There was blood upon his chute,
Blood that came a’trickling
From the paratrooper’s boots,
And there he lay like jelly,
In the welter of his gore,
And he ain’t going to jump no more,
I’d like to find the Sergeant who forgot to hook me up,
For I ain’t gonna jump no more.
I’d like to find the W.A.A.F. who tied a love knot in my line.
For I ain’t gonna jump no more.
I’d like to find the pilot who forgot to throttle back
For I ain’t gonna jump no more
I’d like to find the W.A.A.F. who put the blanket in my chute
For I ain’t gonna jump no more
Oh, they wiped him off the tarmac like a pound of strawberry jam.
And he ain’t gonna jump no more
Introduction:
This is an odd collection of songs composed and sung by he parachutists whilst undergoing training at Ringway Aerodrome. These songs have been collected together by C.S.M.I. Grant, A.P.T.C., 9th Bn, Parachute Regiment. The actual words have been slightly changed in order to suit home consumption, but nevertheless the general idea is still there. It is as well to give a word of explanation, since some of these phrases may seem rather strange to those unacquainted with the early life of a parachutist.
At Ringway Aerodrome a potential parachutist was put through a few days ground training, known technically as synthetic training, during which he was taught the correct way to jump with the aid of numerous pieces of apparatus, which cause various degrees of flight. This apparatus was housed in one of the large hangers, and had the appearance of an indoor fair ground, but definitely not quite the same atmosphere. Here they rolled on mats, swung on different types of swings, and prepared for the actual jump and landing.
The first two jumps were from Balloons, similar to a Barrage Balloon with a basket attached thereunder. Usually the morning for these first two jumps was cold and misty, and during the deathly hush the pupil did his first jump, which he swore was the best but hoped that he never had another like it. After the balloon jump he then went on to take the actual aircraft jump, which he said numerous times in the YMCA. and in the bus back to Ringway, was just \"a piece of cake\"
All the jumps were done on a piece of England very dear to every parachutist and commonly known as Tatton Park. It was from this park that the tightly packed RAF buses took them back to Ringway. and that is where he learnt and sung the songs as the bus made it way back to the camp - those songs being sung at the height of every one’s voice and will always be heard no matter where they go.
\"Action Stations\" and \"Go\" are two commands very well known. The former speaks for itself, and \"Go\" will haunt many parachutists long after their parachuting days are over, Yelled in an unbelievedly loud voice, heard over the roar of the a engines, and whoop - he is lying on the slipstream with just another jump to his credit.
If there are any expressions in the songs which you cannot understand just ask a parachutist; he’ll be only too glad to tell you, but make sure beforehand that you have at least a couple of hours to spare.
Here are the titles and the tunes to which they are sung:-
1. Shenan is believing or This Parachuting business(Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Shenan)
2. I\'m dreaming of a soft landing (White Christmas)
3. You\'d be so nice to come home to (You\'d be so nice)
4. The man on the flying trapeze (The man on the flying trapeze)
5. Jumping through the hole (Knees up Mother Brown)
6. I aint gonna jump no more (John Brown\'s body)
7. Oh Mary, this Tatton....(Mountains of Mourne)
8. Song of the Paratrooper
9. The merry month of May
10. Bless \'em all
11. You don\'t have to push (You don\'t have to tell me, I know)
12. Sit by my side if you love me (Red River Valley)
13. Passing thoughts (John Brown\'s body)
9.5\" x 6\" (24cm x 15cm)
In very good condition - has been lightly folded into quarters at some point, leaving creases
No.1 Parachute Training School RAF (No.1 PTS) is a Royal Air Force training unit that was initially based at RAF Ringway, now Manchester Airport, and is currently based at RAF Brize Norton. It was formed at Ringway on 21 June 1940 as the Central Landing School and from 1 October 1940 it was designated as the Parachute Training Squadron of the Central Landing Establishment. Following growth in the unit\'s task, it became an independent unit as the Parachute Training School on 15 February 1942. Following formation of a second school in India, the current name of No.1 Parachute Training School was adopted on 27 July 1944.
Between June 1940 and early 1946, No.1 PTS provided initial training to all 60,000 allied paratroopers who volunteered or were recruited for that role in Europe. In addition to British troops, men from many nationalities trained to jump at RAF Ringway and nearby Tatton Park including Americans, Belgians, Canadians, Czechs, Dutch, French, Norwegian and Poles. Agents of the Special Operations Executive, both men and women were also given parachute training by No.1 PTS to enable those who were to be dropped into occupied territory to do so safely. To maintain secrecy, these men and women were accommodated in separate secure premises in Bowdon and Styal and were trained in select groups.
No.1 PTS moved from Ringway to RAF Upper Heyford on 28 March 1946 and has been based at RAF Brize Norton since moving from RAF Abingdon, where it was based from 1950 to April 1976. Throughout its time in Oxfordshire, No.1 PTS has used the airfield at RAF Weston-on-the-Green, adjacent to the M40 motorway, as its drop zone. Prior to and during the period March 1949 to May 1950 the unit was used additionally for the training of glider pilots. The gliders were Airspeed Horsas, towed by the Dakota transports used for parachute training.
Commanded by a squadron leader, the School today comprises 5 Flights. Military Training Flight is responsible for training all Army, Navy and RAF airborne forces in static line training disciplines up to 12 000 ft. Specialist Training Flight is responsible for free fall parachute training and all static line parachuting that requires the use of oxygen. Instructor Training Flight teaches Parachute Jumping Instructors in all parachuting disciplines. Adventurous Training Flight delivers adventurous training courses to all Services through the medium of static line and free fall parachuting. The RAF Falcons are the only MOD sponsored display team and provide spectacular displays around the UK.
A large granite memorial to the existence, personnel and wartime achievements of No.1 PTS is on permanent public display in a small memorial park opposite Olympic House and Terminal 1 at Manchester Airport. Another stone memorial to No.1 PTS is at Tatton Park, located at the western edge of the landing area used in wartime by trainee parachutists.
The 9th (Eastern and Home Counties) Parachute Battalion was an airborne infantry battalion of the Parachute Regiment, raised by the British Army during the Second World War. The battalion was created in late 1942 by the conversion of the 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment to parachute duties. The battalion was assigned to the 3rd Parachute Brigade, alongside the 7th (later the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion) and 8th Parachute battalions, then part of the 1st Airborne Division but was later transferred to the 6th Airborne Division.
The 9th Parachute Battalion took part in two major parachute landings in the Normandy invasion, and the River Rhine crossing in Germany. In Normandy they were responsible for the attack on the Merville Gun Battery, which, if not eliminated, could pose a danger to the Normandy landings.
After the war the battalion was sent to Palestine on internal security operations with the rest of the 6th Airborne Division in Palestine. Post-war army reductions in 1948 saw the battalion being amalgamated with the 8th (Midlands) Parachute Battalion (which had served with the 9th in 3 Para Brigade) as the 8th/9th Parachute Battalion, but by the end of the year the new battalion had been disbanded.
Based at Kiwi Barracks, Bulford Camp, Salisbury, the 9th (Eastern and Home Counties) Parachute Battalion was formed in November 1942, by the conversion of the 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment, a hostilities-only unit raised in late 1940, to parachute duties. Upon formation, the battalion had an establishment of 556 men in three rifle companies. The companies were divided into a small headquarters and three platoons. The platoons had three Bren machine guns and three 2-inch mortars, one of each per section. The only heavy weapons in the battalion were a 3 inch mortar and a Vickers machine gun platoon.
The first Commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel James Hill. His first order on being appointed was to send the entire battalion on a forced march, at the end of which he announced that the battalion would \"work a six and a half-day week\" with Sunday afternoons off, until it was well-trained and fit. The battalion was assigned to the 3rd Parachute Brigade, which was initially attached to the 1st Airborne Division, but in April 1943 the 1st Airborne Division departed for the Mediterranean and the Allied invasion of Sicily without the 3rd Parachute Brigade. On 23 April 9th Parachute Battalion and the brigade were transferred to the newly formed 6th Airborne Division. At the same time Hill was promoted to take over as the brigade commander and he was replaced as commanding officer by Lieutenant Colonel Terence Otway. By 1944 a headquarters or support company, was added to the battalion. It comprised five platoons: motor transport, signals, mortar, machine-gun and anti-tank. With eight 3-inch (76 mm) mortars, four Vickers machine guns and ten PIAT anti-tank projectors.
All members of the battalion had to undergo a twelve-day parachute training course carried out at No. 1 Parachute Training School, RAF Ringway. Initial parachute jumps were from a converted barrage balloon and finished with five parachute jumps from an aircraft. Anyone failing to complete a descent was returned to his old unit. Those men who successfully completed the parachute course, were presented with their maroon beret and parachute wings.
Airborne soldiers were expected to fight against superior numbers of the enemy, armed with heavy weapons, including artillery and tanks. Hence, training was designed to encourage a spirit of self-discipline, self-reliance and aggressiveness. Emphasis was given to physical fitness, marksmanship and fieldcraft. A large part of the training regime consisted of assault courses and route marching. Military exercises included capturing and holding airborne bridgeheads, road or rail bridges and coastal fortifications. At the end of most exercises, the battalion would march back to their barracks. The ability to cover long distances at speed was expected: airborne platoons were required to cover a distance of 50 miles (80 km) in 24 hours, and battalions 32 miles (51 km).
The 3rd Parachute Brigade was disbanded in October 1947, and the 8th and 9th Parachute battalion\'s were amalgamated as the 8th/9th Parachute Battalion. The new battalion was assigned to the 1st Parachute Brigade, however further post war reductions in the British Army saw this battalion disbanded in June 1948.
The first combat action by the 9th (Eastern and Home Counties) Parachute Battalion, was in Operation Tonga, part of the Normandy landings. The battalion\'s primary objective was the Merville Gun Battery, which was in a position to threaten the British landings at Sword Beach. Although seriously understrength after a disastrous parachute drop, the battalion silenced the battery but was reduced in strength to 65 men. The battalion then attacked Le Plein capturing the Chateau St Côme. Being too weak to attempt their last objective the battalions dug in around le Plein. One of the battalion\'s casualties on 6 June was Paratroop dog Glen. The dog had been parachuted into Normandy with his handler and both were killed during the day\'s fighting. They are buried together in the Ranville War Cemetery.
Over the following days the 9th Parachute Battalion fought off a number of attacks by the 346th Infantry Division. On 8 June Otway was wounded by an artillery shell and evacuated, he never returned to active service. For his command during the attack on the Merville battery he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. Otway was replaced as commanding officer by the Brigade major of the 6th Airlanding Brigade, Napier Crookenden who was promoted in the field to Lieutenant-Colonel. On 12 June during the battle of Bréville the battalion was in danger of being overrun and had to call for urgent reinforcements, which came from a company of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion led by Brigadier James Hill. They successfully counter-attacked and restored the line.
The 6th Airborne Division was assisted by reinforcements from the 1st and 4th Commando Brigades and 153rd Highland Infantry Brigade. The southern edge of the Orne bridgehead was taken over by 51st (Highland) Infantry Division on 14 June allowing the 6th Airborne to consolidate its positions. The 9th Parachute Battalion remained in the front line carrying out patrols and sniping and fought off numerous attacks up to 16 August.
On 17 August the battalion advanced crossing the River Dives, between Cabourg and Troan. By 22 August they had reached the River Touques and the River Seine when the time the advance was stopped on 26 August. The battalion was then withdrawn back to England in September 1944.
The 6th Airborne Division was called to intervene in the German offensive in the Ardennes on 20 December 1944. Moved back to mainland Europe, on 26 December, they established a blocking position along the River Maas. On 29 December they attacked leading German units and the 3rd Parachute Brigade was given responsibility for capturing Rochefort. The village was secured after meeting heavy resistance. After several months of heavy patrolling, in Belgium and the Netherlands, in February 1945, they were withdrawn to England once again.
In March 1945 the battalion took part in Operation Varsity the last airborne assault of the war, landing on the east bank of the river Rhine, by evening all of the battalion\'s first objectives had been taken. Heading towards its second objective, it come upon a strong German defensive position. The battalion despite heavy fire assaulted and captured the position capturing 500 prisoners. The battalion was next ordered to capture a nearby village. Led by Lieutenant-Colonel Crookenden, they crossed 500 yards (460 m) of open land and secured the village capturing 200 prisoners. The battalion continued the advance into Germany, reaching the Baltic sea by the end of the war.
In October 1945, the 6th Airborne Division was sent to the British Mandate Palestine on internal security duties, the 3rd Parachute Brigade being based in the Lydda district, which included Tel Aviv. On 13 November the riots started in Tel Aviv, following the publication of white paper on Palestine. The violence spread and eventually the whole 3rd Parachute Brigade became involved and order was not established until 20 November. The battalion remained in Palestine until it was amalgamated with the 8th Parachute Battalion in October 1947.
