REGIMENTAL HISTORY

1st Pathfinder Regiment is fictional, all pictures and histories belong to Her Majesties Forces Parachute Regiment and her Battalion's

Early in 2000 a joint Military and Parliamentary committee announced that Britain's Airborne capability was to be reassign as an Air Mobile brigade, "24 Air Mobile". As a consequence the three parental Battalion's of The Parachute Regiment and its supportive Battalions along with The Pathfinder platoon where to be re-committed to Helicopter assault operations and no longer required to commit to parachute operations.

World leaders realising a substantial loss in tactical ability with in NATO pressed the British Government and its Military heads to re-think on this subject only to get the reply of "If you want it, you pay for it".

At the international summit for world security held in Geneva later that month, The American defence team suggested a joint "Parachute force" consisting of all nationalities as a substitute tactical capability, when put to the vote all but three nations agreed that a working committee be raised. The committee consisting of Military heads from around the world came to this conclusion.

"Whilst operations carried out by NATO continue at this tempo and with in the present regions, we have no option but to need a body of men who can enter any theatre of operations by any means, whether that be Sea, Land or Air, and when we say Air we mean by all methods currently at the disposal of man. Helicopters (giving reference to Britain's decision) have limitations, many more limitations then not having to land the aircraft and still have a fighting man with his feet on the ground".

Two days later NATO announced a new Multi national force, 1st Pathfinder Regiment (a historical reference to the force it was raised to replace), alliance with British armies The Parachute regiment (as the expertise for this type of unit lay with them) and took on the PARA's administrative and structure systems as well as Cap badge and ensignia (with a few alterations).The 1st Pathfinder Regiment of the line was born.

The Regiment at present is an independent Regiment, this means all supporting arms come from with in its own structure receiving orders directly from Chief of Staff NATO.Also Funded by NATO this gives it a true Multi-national role allowing it to freely exercise NATO duties and to react quicker then any other fighting body on Multi-nation operations hence the Regiments name and number designation.

On 22 June 1940 Winston Churchill called for the formation of ‘a corps of at least five thousand parachute troops, suitably organised and equipped’. A Parachute Training School was formed at Ringway, and No 2 Commando chosen for training in parachute duties. As the scope of training increased, the title of No 2 Commando was first changed to ‘11 Special Air Service Battalion’ and then to ‘1 Parachute Battalion’ and subsequently ‘1, 2, & 3 Parachute Battalions of 1 Parachute Brigade’, which had been formed under the command of Brigadier RN Gale, OBE MC in the previous month. In October 1941 Major General F A M Browning DSO was ordered to form an Airborne Division. Under his guidance The Parachute Regiment was formally established as a Regiment on 1 August 1942. By the end of the war it comprised 18 Battalions and a number of independent pathfinder units. Not all the Battalions were raised at home; three were formed in India and two in Egypt. The training and dropping of the Parachutists was entrusted to squadrons of 38 and 46 Groups RAF. Their history is closely linked to The Regiment.

In 1941, it was found possible to mount an experimental raid in Southern Italy against the Tragino aqueduct in Apulia, Italy. A year later, on 27 February 1942, a successful attack was made by C Company of the 2 Battalion on the German radar station at Bruneval on the coast of France. It was here that the Regiment increased its scope as the technique of Airborne Warfare developed and more resources became available. In North Africa the battalions of the 1 Parachute Brigade were dropped on widely separated objectives, and in the subsequent fighting earned for The Regiment, which now wore the maroon beret, the name of ‘Red Devils’ bestowed upon it by the enemy. In the attack on Sicily, the same brigade was dropped by night with the task of seizing Primisole Bridge. When 1 and 4 Brigades returned to England before the invasion of Northern France, 2 Independent Parachute Brigade remained and later took part in airborne operations in Italy, Southern France and Greece.

The night of 5/6 June 1944 marked the first divisional airborne operations of the war. It was then that the 6 Airborne Division, which included the 3 and 5 Parachute Brigades, landed in Normandy, France. This Division was commanded by Major General R N Gale OBE MC who had raised it. There followed the famous operation at Arnhem on 17 September 1944 by the 1 Airborne Division, which included the 1 and 4 Parachute Brigades and which, with the 82 and 101 US Airborne Divisions formed the 1 Allied Airborne Corps, which took part in the crossing of the Rhine and the subsequent operations which led to final victory in May 1945.

Direct enlistment into The Regiment by other ranks was introduced in 1953. Direct Commissioning of officers was introduced in 1958 although a small proportion continue to be seconded from other regiments.

From 1945 to the 1960s The Regiment served in most theatres, including the Far East, Palestine, Germany and the Middle East, playing a prominent part in Airborne operations at Port Said in 1956.

During the 1960s The Regiment was involved in operations in Cyprus in 1964 (1 Para), Radfan in 1964 (3 Para), Borneo in 1965 (2 Para) and Aden in 1967 (1 Para). Since 1969 all three battalions have served in all parts of Northern Ireland on numerous short and long tours of duty.

From April to June 1982 the 2 and 3 Battalions were involved on Operation Corporate in the South Atlantic. During this conflict on the Falkland Islands, both Battalions played a very important part in the Task Force, in particular at Goose Green, Darwin Hill, Wireless Ridge (2 Para), and Mount Longdon (3 Para). On conclusion of this operation numerous members of the Regiment were decorated for gallantry, awards included 2 posthumous Victoria Crosses. Since the Falklands War the Regiment has been on numerous operational tours of Northern Ireland, with an almost continual presence in the Province. At times two, and occasionally all three Battalions deployed at the same time.

In June 1998 the Regiment was presented with new colours by the Colonel in Chief, HRH The Prince of Wales, at a parade in Aldershot.

In January 1999, the Gurkhas of C Company 2 Para were deployed out of the United Kingdom, to Banja Luka in Bosnia.

In June 1999 1 PARA, reinforced by members 3 PARA deployed to the Yugoslav province of Kosovo as the spearhead of KFOR, the NATO force tasked with enforcing peace.

The Regimental cap-badge is a set of wings either side of a parachute above which is the crown of the reigning Monarch. Underneath the capbadge is The Regimental motto ‘ UTINQUE PARATUS’ which means ‘Ready for anything’, a sentiment the Regiment has always striven to live up to.

In addition to the capbadge the Regiment can be identified by the Regimental march, Wagner's ‘ Ride of the Valkyries’. This piece of music can often be heard on the playing list of the Regimental Band, and the Regimental Band will often be seen with the Regimental mascot, a Shetland pony, called ‘Pegasus’, at it's head.

The Regimental Colonel in Chief of The Parachute Regiment is HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales. HRH has completed a number of military parachute jumps, thereby earning his ‘wings’.

The Sovereign’s Colour of The Parachute Regiment bears the Regimental Battle Honours, whose anniversaries are celebrated annually by the Battalions. The Battle Honours are:

On the night of 27/28 February 1942 ‘C’ Company of the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment under the command of Major J D Frost was dropped by 51 Squadron RAF on the north coast of enemy occupied France near Le Havre. The object of the operation was to secure German radar equipment from the station at Bruneval in order to assess the advance of German technology in this field. The raid was a brilliant success, and for the loss of 3 killed, 2 missing and 7 wounded, the essential equipment together with some technicians was recovered with the Company by the Royal Navy. The operation acted as a tonic to public morale, and is the first Battle honour awarded to The Regiment.

On 29 November 1942 the 2 Battalion under the command of Lt Col JD Frost was ordered to seize and destroy German aircraft, on the airfield at Oudna some 9 miles from Tunis. This operation was to coincide with a general advance by ground troops.

The operation was hurriedly mounted and resulted in a scattered drop (the drop zone being selected in the air by the lead aircraft) fortunately unopposed, at Depienne. The Battalion then marched 12 miles overnight and after a short, sharp engagement captured, and secured the airfield at Oudna. Throughout 30 November counter-attacks were mounted including attacks by armour, and aircraft but these were all beaten off. There being no sign of the ground troops the Battalion withdrew into the hills before a major enemy assault could be mounted. Here they received a message that ground forces had been halted 50 miles to the west. From 1 to 3 December under constant attack by day, and night from German armour, parachute infantry and aircraft, the battalion fought its way back to Medjez to rejoin friendly forces. Despite losses of some 260 all ranks the Battalion reached the allied lines, and 50 of the missing rejoined in small groups over the next few days.

On 27 March 1943, 1st Parachute Brigade under the command of Brigadier E W C Flavell, were involved in an assault on the Tamera position, a vital sector of the Axis defensive system. By last light on 30 March, after very heavy fighting, all enemy resistance had ceased and all objectives had been secured. Enemy casualties were high, as well as 1170 German including Parachute Troops, and 550 Italians, captured by the Brigade.

On the night of 13 July 1943 the 1 Parachute Brigade under command of Brigadier C W Lathbury, consisting 1, 2, 3 Battalions and 21 Independent Company (Pathfinders), were dropped into Sicily. Their mission was to capture the Primisole Bridge over the river Simeto, a vital defile on the approaches to the Catania Plain.

In the confusion of being fired upon by friend and foe alike near the coast, the drop was widely scattered. Only 12 Officers and 283 Other Ranks (of a total of 1856 all ranks) actually reached their correct Rendezvous Points. Despite this the Bridge was captured intact by dawn, on the 14.

Throughout the day the German 4 Parachute Brigade attacked the weakly held position, from the west, and subsequently the north, without success. Later the Germans crossed the river to the east, and under attack from three directions the remnants of 1 Brigade were forced to withdraw to a smaller perimeter to the south. Here they held until the arrival of 4 Armoured Brigade from the beaches. 9 Durham Light Infantry attempted an initial attack which was beaten off by the Germans. At dawn on 15 July a further attack by 9 DLI guided by Lieutenant Colonel A S Pearson, Commanding Officer 1 PARA, and supported by the remnants of the Brigade, successfully retook the bridge intact.

On ‘D’ Day, 6 June 1944, the 6 British Airborne Division under the command of Major General R N Gale (including 7, 8, 9, 12, 13 Battalions and 22 Independent Parachute Company (Pathfinders)), was given the task of protecting the flank of the seaborne invasion. Their area extended from Ouistreham to Caen and included the double water obstacle of the river Orne, and the Caen canal.

Dropping after midnight in marginal wind conditions the units were widely scattered. Despite this, all objectives were secured on time. From 7 June until 16 August the Division held their position against violent German counter attacks. In the subsequent general breakout, the Division advanced to the river Seine, which they reached on the 26th August 1944.

Early on the 10 June 1944 the Germans succeeded in penetrating between 1 Commando Brigade and 3 Parachute Brigade in the area of Breville. A main enemy assault was then launched to split the divisional area and break through to the invasion beaches. This attack was beaten off by 13 PARA with great loss to the enemy, and a counter attack by 7 PARA restored the situation. This left 200 enemy dead, and 150 prisoners on the battlefield. The Germans, however, still maintained their position at Breville threatening the whole divisional position. An attack by 153 British Infantry Brigade on Breville was beaten off with heavy casualties. On 12 June the Germans launched two major assaults with infantry and armour on 9 PARA and though these too were beaten off, 9 PARA was reduced to 200 all ranks at the end of the day. The situation was again restored by a counter attack by a company of 1 Canadian Parachute Battalion, lead personally by an already wounded Brigadier Hill of 3 Parachute brigade. By now the only divisional reserve was a very weak 12 PARA. This Battalion with a company of 12 Devons, and 22 Independent Parachute Company supported by armour were ordered to capture, and clear Breville on the night of the 12th June.

Despite our own shell fire, which fell short of their start line (killing the Commanding Officer, the Devon Company Commander and seriously wounding many others), and intense enemy counter fire, the troops rallied under their platoon commanders, and non-commissioned officers. In a bloody, bitter individual hand to hand engagement they forced the Germans from the village. At the cost of 8 Officers, and 133 Other Ranks Breville was finally, and firmly in our possession in what proved the decisive engagement of this sector in defence of the beach head.

In July 1944 the 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade under the command of Brigadier C H V Pritchard (consisting of 4, 5 (Scottish), 6 (Royal Welsh) Battalions, and 1st Independent Platoon (Pathfinders)), were withdrawn from operations in Italy to take part in the invasion of Southern France. The area allotted to the brigade was between La Motte, and Le Muy with the task of destroying the enemy, and denying him access to the area until relieved by the seaborne forces. The operation took place in the early hours of 15 August 1944. By 1015hrs despite a widely scattered drop in difficult weather conditions, all initial objectives had been secured. The Brigade consolidated and exploited its positions, until relieved by the ground troops on 17 August.

As part of the bid to end the war in 1944 1 British Airborne Division under the command of Major General R E Urquhart, (including 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, and 156 battalions, and 21 Independent Parachute Company (Pathfinders) The Parachute Regiment) were dropped near Arnhem on 17 September 1944 to seize the road bridge over the Neder Rijn.

Due to insufficient aircraft to fly the division complete the Air-Landing Brigade had to be used to protect the drop Zones for the second lift leaving, only 1st Parachute Brigade to secure the Bridge. After initial surprise the lightly equipped parachutists soon faced unwanted interest from the armour, and infantry elements of 2 SS Panzer Corps. A unit which unknown to Allied intelligence were refitting in the area. Only the second Battalion commanded by Lt Col JD Frost, Recce Company, and elements of the Royal Engineers Squadron reached the bridge, securing the northern end. Due to the presence of German forces between 2 Para, and the remainder of the Division on the DZ, reinforcements were unable to reach 2 Para. Though under constant attack by armour, and infantry the bridge was held for 3 days, and 4 nights. The Divisional task had been to hold for 48 hrs until relieved by ground forces. The ground forces were never to reach their final objective due to greater levels of German resistance encountered along their route.

Meanwhile the rest of the Division, depleted by constant efforts to reinforce the Bridge, held on to a small perimeter over the river against overwhelming odds for 9 days until ordered to withdraw across the river on the night of 25th September. Of the 10,095 all ranks who landed fewer than 3,000 returned across the river. The ground forces had not reached them in time, and the bid to end the war in 1944 had failed. Many deeds of extreme valour were witnessed, and 5 Victoria Crosses were won during the battle, two of them by members of The Parachute Regiment.

At 1000hrs on 24 March 1945, 6 British Airborne Division under the command of Major General E L Bols (including 7, 8, 9, 12, 13 Battalions and 22 independent Company), together with 17 US Airborne Division, were dropped on the east bank of the Rhine near Wesel, the last barrier of Nazi Germany. Dropping on top of enemy defences, and gun positions, casualties were initially heavy, particularly amongst the gliderborne elements. By 1530hrs, however, they had secured all their objectives and linked up with the ground forces that had crossed the river by direct assault. In this battle Corporal F J Topham of 1 Canadian Parachute Battalion, 3 Parachute Brigade won the Victoria Cross. This was the final and major airborne assault of WW 2. 6 Airborne Division at the spearhead of the subsequent advance into Germany, were the first Allied troops to link up with the Russian Army at Wismar on the Baltic.

In October 1944 a German withdrawal from the Balkans was imminent. A force consisting of 2nd Independent Parachute group, under the command of Brigadier C H V Pritchard (including the 4th, 5th (Scottish), 6th (Royal Welsh) Battalions and 1st Independent Platoon (Pathfinders)), together with 23 Armoured Brigade (in an infantry role) were allocated the task of securing Athens, maintaining law and order, and bringing relief to the Greek peoples.

On 12 October 1944 a company of 4 PARA seized Megara airfield by Parachute Assault in 35mph winds. The remainder of the Brigade followed, and by 15 October Athens had been secured. The brigade spent the next three months following up behind the retreating Germans, and maintaining Law and Order throughout the country. In Athens in December, and early January 1945 however, vicious riots between rival political factions, involved the troops in bitter street fighting against Greek rebels. The scale of these activities can be seen in the fact that the Brigade was feeding 20,000 civilians a day at the time, and on one day of the final battle they killed 170 rebels, wounded 70 and took 520 prisoners.

On 2 April 1982 Argentina invaded the Falklands Island Dependencies. With a single company of Royal Marines to defend them, the Islands and South Georgia were quickly overrun. A British task force was rapidly gathered to retake the islands, with its land element centred on 3 Commando Brigade. At this time 3 PARA was the spearhead battalion and became attached to 3 Commando Brigade, leaving UK on 9 April aboard SS Canberra. 2 PARA, the 'In Role battalion' at 5 days notice to move, was also stood to, and departed on 26 April on MV Norland. During the long voyage south, both Battalions carried out intensive training.

3 Commando Brigade went ashore at Ajax bay on the night of 21/22 May. 2 PARA established itself on Sussex Mountain protecting the south of the bridgehead without opposition. 3 PARA landed in the north near Port San Carlos, driving off a small force of around 40 enemy. Over the next week Argentine air attacks against the beachhead, and shipping took place almost daily. On 26 May, 2 PARA were ordered to move south and engage Argentine operational reserve on the Darwin/Goose Green peninsula. The attack began during the early hours of 28 May with naval and artillery support. By dawn however, the assault had been stalled as a result of strong enemy defensive positions near Darwin. Trying to restart the momentum of the attack, both the CO and Adjutant were killed storming a machine gun post. The assault continued, and by last light the whole peninsula, less the Goose Green Settlement, had been taken, negotiations with the Argentines produced their surrender the next day. Over 1250 prisoners were taken and 256 Argentineans killed. After the battle 2 PARA were placed under the command of 5 Infantry brigade.

Meanwhile, on 27 may, 3 PARA set off on foot by a northern route to capture Teal Inlet, which it succeeded in doing on 29 May, taking some prisoners. On 11 June 2 PARA moved north to rejoin 3 Commando brigade for the final Battle for Port Stanley. In order for this to take place a vital objective which had to be secured was Mount Longdon. This was attacked by 3 PARA during the night of 11/12 June. The enemy were well dug in and prepared, and it was only after 10 hours of bloody fighting that 3 PARA secured their objective. They then held it for 48 hours under intense and accurate artillery fire. A total of 22 paratroopers were killed during this operation. On the night of 13/14 June 2 PARA passed behind 3 PARA and, supported by 3 PARA mortars, attacked another key objective – Wireless Ridge. This was secured by first light and shortly afterwards the enemy resistance collapsed. Both battalions followed up and were the first troops to enter Port Stanley.

In all the two battalions suffered 40 dead and 93 wounded. 68 decorations for courageous actions, and service were made to members of the Regiment. These included two Victoria crosses awarded posthumously to Lt Col H Jones VC OBE, and Sgt I McKay VC.

The Regimental System

A battalion is typically an infantry unit consisting of several companies. The battalion is a lieutenant colonel's command. Most regiments in the British Army were originally single-battalion units. While the battalion was the tactical unit, the regiment was its spiritual counterpart. Aristocratic generals owned and controlled and outfitted their regiments. Occasionally a regiment would have multiple battalions, and in the 18th and early 19th century, such multi-battalion regiments were usually called corps.

The Infantry, which has strongly resisted the creation of the "corps of infantry", is special. It is within the Infantry that the uniquely British regimental system has evolved. Administrative reforms in the latter part of the 19th century inadvertently bolstered unit cohesion and esprit de corps. Regular regiments were numbered in order of seniority in 1751, and in 1782 most were accorded a territorial (county) title as well. For almost a century these titles helped foster esprit de corps, but they largely remained a fiction as far as the regiment's territorial identity was concerned. In 1872 Britain was divided into brigade districts, which followed county boundaries, with regular and volunteer units grouped around a regimental depot for administration and basic training. Two regular battalions would theoretically take turns as the home (recruiting and training) and overseas service units. Two Militia battalions would serve as trained reserve in case of local emergency. In 1881 these districts were formally merged into new regimental identities, and the volunteer movement of 1859 was soon linked into the system. The county regiment had thus been solidified, with anywhere between four and a dozen battalions sharing in the regimental family's traditions. An essential ingredient in this mix was two centuries of accumulated glory which translated into tribal distinctions. Regimental cap badges typically embody a symbolic representation of a significant event in the regiment's history.

Key elements of the regimental system are the Colonel and the Colonel-in-Chief. With roots going back to the 18th century when colonels owned and equipped their regiments, the Colonel of today is the head of the family and responsible for the protection of the best interests of the regiment. He is almost always an officer of general rank who at one time served in the regiment. A more ceremonial and visible but equally important position is the Colonel-in-Chief, who is always a member of the royal family. This position helps fuse the regiment into the national fabric. Regiments often take their name from a one-time association with the royal family. Every "King's", "Queen's" and "Prince of Wales's" regiment derives its title from a specific royal who held that title. Once honoured with such a title, the regiment keeps it for life. For example, The Green Howards (Princess of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire) derived its subtitle from its association with Alexandra, consort of Edward VII, while that couple were still the Prince and Princess of Wales -- and the regiment still uses Alexandra's cypher as its badge. Another example is Diana, Princess of Wales, who as Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Hampshire Regiment became Colonel-in-Chief of a new regiment when it merged in 1992 to form The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment. While Diana relinquished the colonelcy upon her divorce, the regiment continues to bear her title. Due principally to the intermarriage of Queen Victoria's children with foreign royalty, many European monarchs were at one time colonels of British regiments -- including the emperors of Russia and Germany. Still holding such positions are the monarchs of Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands. These colonelcies exist throughout the Commonwealth nations which still recognise the Queen as Head of State.

Although the system which created these unique regiments has been eroded since 1948, the strong identities which it created have persevered. The Regular Army was reduced to single-battalion regiments, and the latter have been subjected to repeated mergers. The Militia was abolished. The Territorial Army has repeatedly seen its battalions severed from their Regular counterparts, particularly in 1967 and again in 1999. Regimental families have been replaced by brigade and division administration schemes. These administrative brigades and divisions (e.g. Lancastrian Brigade, and Queen's Division) should not be confused with tactical brigades and divisions, which are Formations.

Commands and Formations

Armies tend to have a different organisational structure for campaigns and operations than they do for training and administration. While the training and administration structure emphasises esprit de corps and "tribal" distinctions such as cap badges, the operational structure emphasises fighting and logistical efficiency in the field. The two work together, but for the uninitiated the nomenclature can be confusing. This is especially true when the same word, like "corps", has different meanings. The traditional British hierarchy in field operations is as follows:

Companies, Squadrons, Batteries	The basic tactical unit of about 100 men of infantry, cavalry and artillery respectively. Subunits are usually called platoons, troops and sections. While artillery batteries are historically the basic tactical unit which can operate independently, infantry companies and cavalry squadrons are rarely separated for long periods from their parent unit.	A Captain or Major's command
Battalions, Regiments	An infantry battalion consists of an established number of companies (usually four, eight or ten depending on the historical period). A "tribal" family of infantry battalions is called a Regiment. Cavalry Regiments never consist of more than the equivalent of one battalion, and they are called regiments rather than battalions. An administrative collection of artillery batteries was called a "brigade" until 1938, and since then a "regiment".	A Lieutenant Colonel's command
Battle Group	Generally a post-WWII invention for small operations, a battle group is usually built around an infantry battalion, and complemented by a small number of supporting artillery, armour in the reconnaissance role, engineers, medical troops and other logistic and support units.
Brigade	A grouping (usually three) of infantry battalions or cavalry/armour regiments. Infantry battalions in a brigade are rarely drawn from the same regimental family. (When they are, it is usually an accidental coincidence of time and place.) When forming part of a division, a brigade has no internal support, but when operating independently (usually called a "Brigade Group"), this formation has a proportionate number of supporting reconnaissance, artillery, engineers, supply and transport, etc.	A Brigadier or Major General's command.
Division	A grouping (usually three) of infantry or cavalry/armour brigades. Divisions normally are equipped to operate independently in the field, and thus have a full internal complement of supporting reconnaissance (one or two cavalry regiments in the light role), artillery (in modern times three or four regiments), engineers (about three squadrons), medical, supply and transport, etc.	A Major General or Lieutenant General's command
Corps	A grouping of two or three divisions. Such groupings are so large that they usually exist only in very major war operations and almost never in peacetime. The notable peacetime exception was 1 (British) Corps in Germany during most of the Cold War.	A Lieutenenant General or General's command.
Army	A grouping of two or more corps. Such groupings exist only in very major wars. The most famous example was the 8th Army of WWII.	A General or Field Marshal's command.
Army Group	A grouping of two more more armies. The most famous example was the 21st Army Group of WWII.	A General or Field Marshal's command.

All the units above the battalion level (Brigade, Division, Corps, Army) are collectively called formations. While tribal Regiments can be distinguished by metal cap badges, collar badges, shoulder strap "titles", and the such, formations are usually identified by cloth shoulder sleeve patches called "formation signs". This phenomenon is a 20th century invention. While formations have usually existed only for the duration of a campaign, and their units regularly rotate in and out, two world wars helped create a separate lore and esprit de corps among formations. A significant attempt has been made to preserve formation numbers and signs. For example, the 7th Armoured Division ("Desert Rats") of WWII reappeared in the Gulf War of 1991 as the 7th Armoured Brigade with the familiar jerboa (desert rat) formation sign.

All the formations and other independent units within a geographic area or temporary operational theatre are called a Command, and this often includes the air and minor maritime forces in that area. The size of a command varies according to the operational needs of the moment. For example, during the Malayan Emergency, all British, Commonwealth and colonial units in Malaya came under the administration of "Malaya Command". The rest of British forces in the region normally came under the jurisdiction of Far East Command with headquarters in Hong Kong. The land forces of the area came jurisdiction of the highest ranking Army commander in the region, e.g. "Far East Land Forces" (FELF). Britain's home forces through most of the 20th century were divided into a half dozen or so regional commands (e.g. South East Command), subdivided into districts. Post war shrinkage has resulted in consolidation into a single Command. A Command may have at its disposal little more than a brigade and assorted other small independent units or as much as several armies.