5th (Scottish) Parachute Battalion
The 5th (Scottish) Parachute Battalion was an airborne infantry battalion of the Parachute Regiment, raised by the British Army during the Second World War.
| 5th (Scottish) Parachute Battalion | |
|---|---|
Cap badge of the Parachute Regiment | |
| Active | 1942–1948 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Type | Airborne forces |
| Role | Parachute infantry |
| Size | Battalion |
| Part of | 2nd Parachute Brigade |
| Nickname(s) | Red Devils |
| Motto(s) | Utrinque Paratus (Latin for "Ready for Anything") |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Jack Churchill |
| Insignia | |
| The emblem of the Second World War British Airborne Forces, Bellerophon riding the flying horse Pegasus. | |
The four proceeding British parachute infantry battalions had been raised by volunteers from all ranks of the army. The 5th (Scottish) Parachute Battalion was formed by the conversion of the 7th Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders together with volunteers from other Scottish regiments for parachute duties. The 5th (Scottish) Parachute Battalion was assigned to the 2nd Parachute Brigade, which at the time, was part of the 1st Airborne Division.
The battalion fought in a number of actions in Italy, Greece and the south of France, where they carried out their only parachute assault of the war, during Operation Dragoon. At the end of the war, now attached to the 6th Airborne Division, the battalion was posted to Palestine, in an internal security role.
By 1948 the battalion was one of only three Regular Army parachute battalions remaining in the British Army. In June these battalions were renumbered and the 5th (Scottish) Parachute Battalion became the present day 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment.