Belgian Para-Commandos KFOR 2002

[dez000]

I came along a terrific site with some great pictures of the Belgian Para-Commandos in Kosovo... I'm not gonna post the pics here, because there are to many and such...

I really recommend to take a look!

http://paracdo.tripod.com/
woot

BTW: (Fotogallerij) means (photo gallery) incase you couldnt figure it out yourself ;) :bash:

[burnt by the sun]

site doesn't work bucko

[dez000]

Hmm yea i noticed... Prolly because its from tripod... just wait a while and it will kick in again i think ;)

[sunnysandy]

Wern't the Belgian Para Commandoes part of the SAS during the second world war?

[dez000]

They were indeed part of the SAS as well as the Commandos. Which were merged into 1 unit in the 50's... Their missions are now similar to those of the US rangers for example.




SAS history:

The First Belgian Paratrooper Company is founded in Great Britain on 8 May 1942 by volunteers coming from all over the world. The unit obtains its "wings" or paratrooper qualification at the Ringway Para Trainingschool and is located in Fritzhill. After two years of intensive training under the command of Captain Blondeel the unit is finally declared operational and, as the "Belgian Squadron", becomes part of the famous "SAS Brigade". In July 1944 the first Belgian squads are parachuted in France, east of Falaise to execute information- and interference missions. More drops are executed in the region of Beauvais (FR), the French Ardennes, Gedinne(BE) , Hoge Venen (BE), Limburg (BE) and in Holland as far as Friesland (NL). Their actions are in order to support the march of the Allied forces towards the North. During the von Rundstedt offensive in the Ardennes (BE) the unit is regrouped and equipped with armoured jeeps. As a reconnaissance squadron, they execute security- and reconnaissance missions in order to support the 6th British Para Division.

In the beginning of April 1945 the Belgian SAS Regiment consists of three reconnaissance squads which are deployed in the north of Holland and in Germany. After the capitulation on 8 May 1945 they participate in "Counter Intelligence"- missions in Germany and Denmark. The Belgian SAS Regiment is the first allied unit to set foot in Belgium and the only Belgian unit permanently in combat between July 1944 and May 1945. The SAS Paratrooper Regiment is located in Tervuren in July 1945 and immediately starts the training. In August 1945 an SAS trainingcentre is set up in Westmalle. It moves to Poulseur on 31 March 1946. On 15 October 1948 the centre closes its doors and on that same day the SAS regiment leaves Tervuren to install at Leopoldsburg where it stays until 1953. In the course of that year it moves to Diest which is its present barracks.

The integration of all Para- and Commando- units into one Para-Commando Regiment had already been achieved. After the Second World War, this squadron has been used as back bone of the First Para battalion. The battalion wears "The Red Beret" as well as "The SAS Badge" inherited from its predecessors of the Second World War.

Commando History:

The history of the Belgian para commandos starts in Great Britain during the Second World War. In September 1942, the first volunteers begin rigorous training at Acknacarry in Scotland. After completing their training, they are formed into 4th Troop/10 Commando, commanded by Captain Danloy. This unit also included members who came from other occupied countries such as France, The Netherlands and Poland. A year later the unit is shipped out to North Africa but upon arrival there is sent to Italy where it comes under 8th Army command.

In January 1944, the unit is attached to the (US) 5th Army, and is in action on the Gargliano riverfront. The operations during the winter of 43-44 have given the unit the right to the citation "ITALY". In March of 1944, the Belgian troop joins the 4th British Commando Brigade, at that time based on the Yugoslavian island of Vis, which also serves as Headquarters for Tito’s partisans. From this island raids are carried out against German shipps in the Adriatic. The unit citation "YUGOSLAVIA" was awarded in recognition for these operations.

In May 1944, the unit returns to England where a number of reinforcements are added to the rolls and training is carried out. A section participates in a raid against the island of d’Yeu off St Nazaire (France). In November 1944, the units participate in the landing on the island of Walcheren. This island, bristling with field guns is a real fortress blocking all traffic on the Schelde river and thereby making it impossible for the allied armies to use the port of Antwerp. This operation results in a third citation "WALCHEREN". On 15 May, 4th Troop / 10 Commando officially takes on the title of Commando Regiment.

In 1952, all commando and SAS units are incorporated into the Para-Commando Regiment.
From 1953 onward, this new regiment is completely oriented towards the missions in the Belgian Congo. Every battalion regularly does 4 to 12 month tours in Africa. After operations in Congo, Rwanda and Burundi where during the tumultuous period leading up to independence the regiment keeps public order, and rescues a number of Belgians and other foreign nationals, all Para-Commando units return to Belgium. From 1961 to the present day.


Today the Para-Commando Brigade operates at a high level of readiness. The brigade can be put into action at very short notice and is therefor well suited to form intervention units. The Para-Commando Brigade is one of the Belgian contributions to NATO and is prepared to participate both in the Immediate and Rapid Reaction Force.

Additionally, a reconnaissance squadron, the Scout squadron perform reconnaissance missions for the Para-Commando Brigade.

[Jooglae]

****ing Tripod......always says "unavailable."