Pegasus, 44th Indian Airborne Division....

[Postwarden]

An Indian Airborne miscellany. The moustached officer has an MM ribbon, the other picture reveals a slip-on being worn on the epaulette.

Jon

[Postwarden]

Some further pictures with the men in unusual head dress.

Jon

[High Wood]

A few photographs of the Elephant Point landings.

Before: Gurkha Troops emplaning.

After: A supply drop.

[Mike Jackson]

Excellent images - many thanks.
A brief extract from the "Operational Record of Eleventh Army Group and ALFSEA Nov 43 - Aug 45" -

Appendix G Para 7 et seq

In August 1944 the Supreme Allied Commander (SACSEA) asked the Commander in Chief , India to examine the proposal to raise an Airborne Division, which had been approved by the War Office. The CinC replied that the Division could be formed and trained by 15 February 1945 subject to:

a. The arrival of a fully trained British Parachute Brigade by 15 November 1944.

b. The availability of 26 Indian Infantry Brigade as an Air Landing Brigade. This would be at the expense of 36 Division. For this Brigade was substituted one of the Special Force Brigades, leaving the latter with three instead of four as originally intended.

c. The availability of transport aircraft, equivalent to 20 squadrons by 15 January 1945

d. The availability of 875 glider pilots by 1 December 1944

On 1 November 1944, 44 Indian Airborne Division was formed.