Reply To: 4 para?

[Frank de Planta]

Bob.

4 Para were part of 2 Independent Parachute Brigade and were at Cassino between the Third Battle in Mar 44 and the Fourth Battle in May 44. 4 Para had responsibility for the town itself.

The Brigade landed by sea at Taranto on 9 Sep 44 as part of Op SLAPSTICK. From here they pushed northwards as part of an operation to clear away elements of the German 1 Parachute Division. Whilst the rest of 1 British Airborne Division went to UK for preparations for D Day, 2 Independent Parachute Brigade stayed in Italy.

To be absolutely certain about his war service, you need to go to http://www.gov.uk and search for Obtaining a Service Record’. As next of kin and with a death certificate, you get it for free.

That Service Record will confirm which battalion he was in.

Regards

Frank