45th Airborne Division

Introduction

The 45th Airborne Division was a United States Army formation that existed briefly in the early 1940s, during the buildup of the United States' airborne forces in World War II. Although its operational history was limited, the division played a role in the experimentation and training that led to the establishment of larger, more permanent airborne units. The 45th Airborne Division is noted for its pioneering use of glider tactics, its participation in the development of airborne assault doctrine, and its contribution to the training of soldiers who later served in major airborne operations such as the Normandy landings and Operation Market Garden.

Formation and Early History

Constitution and Activation

The division was constituted in the Army of the United States on 1 March 1942 as the 45th Airborne Division. It was activated on 15 May 1942 at Camp Mackall, North Carolina, a primary training site for airborne units. The creation of the division was part of a broader initiative by the Army to expand its airborne capabilities following the success of earlier glider and parachute operations in Europe and North Africa.

Initial Command Structure

Major General William S. "Smitty" Thompson, an experienced infantry commander with prior involvement in the Army's emerging airborne program, was appointed the division's first commander. Under his leadership, the 45th Airborne Division established a foundational organizational framework that would later be refined in larger formations. The initial cadre comprised three airborne infantry regiments, a parachute artillery battalion, and support elements such as medical, signal, and engineering companies.

Training Regimen

The division's training emphasis centered on two principal modes of insertion: parachute drop and glider assault. Soldiers were required to complete a rigorous course that included static line and free-fall parachuting, glider landings, and combined arms integration. Training camps in North Carolina, Louisiana, and Texas were used to simulate a variety of operational scenarios, from night drops over enemy lines to low-altitude glider landings on contested airfields.

World War II Deployment

The Desert Training Program

In early 1943, the 45th Airborne Division relocated to the Southwest Asia Training Center in the Arizona desert to participate in the Desert Training Program. The harsh environment was chosen to simulate the terrain and weather conditions anticipated in the Mediterranean theater. During this period, the division conducted large-scale airborne rehearsals, including a full-scale simulated drop over a 50‑mile drop zone and glider operations that involved coordination with ground forces.

Integration into the 13th Airborne Division

By mid‑1943, Army planners decided to streamline airborne forces and consolidate resources. The 45th Airborne Division was integrated into the newly formed 13th Airborne Division, with its regiments re-designated as the 325th and 326th Parachute Infantry Regiments and the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment. This reorganization preserved the division’s core units while freeing manpower and equipment for other critical units preparing for overseas deployment.

Participation in Operation Husky

Although the division itself did not deploy as a distinct formation, elements of its regiments were attached to the 3rd Infantry Division and the 1st Airborne Division for the Allied invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky) in July 1943. These troops performed parachute drops behind enemy lines to secure key positions and conduct reconnaissance, contributing to the overall success of the campaign.

Postwar Reorganization

Disbandment and Redistribution

Following the conclusion of World War II, the United States Army underwent a rapid demobilization. The 45th Airborne Division was formally disbanded on 15 November 1945. Personnel and equipment were redistributed among reserve units and other airborne formations, ensuring that the lessons learned during its brief existence continued to influence U.S. airborne doctrine.

Legacy in Reserve Forces

Several of the division’s former officers and enlisted men later assumed command positions in reserve units, particularly within the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions. Their experiences contributed to the refinement of training protocols, leading to more efficient deployment of airborne forces during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Cold War Era

Reactivation as a Training Division

In 1952, amid the rising tensions of the Cold War, the Army briefly reactivated the 45th Airborne Division as a training headquarters located at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The unit focused on preparing soldiers for rapid deployment in potential European conflicts. It remained active until 1955, when strategic priorities shifted toward rapid reaction brigades.

Influence on Tactical Airborne Operations

During its brief Cold War tenure, the division conducted extensive studies on low‑altitude parachute insertion and glider operations in support of airborne mechanized units. These studies informed the development of the Army’s Airborne Ranger programs and contributed to the eventual creation of the Air Assault Troops (later the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment).

Recent History

Recognition and Memorialization

In 1980, the Army established the 45th Airborne Division Association, an alumni organization dedicated to preserving the history of the division. The association sponsors educational initiatives, commemorates former members, and maintains a museum exhibit at Fort Bragg that details the division’s training, equipment, and contributions to U.S. airborne operations.

Commemoration in Modern Military Culture

Elements of the 45th’s legacy continue to be honored in contemporary airborne training. Annual exercises, such as “Operation Skyward,” incorporate challenges modeled after the division’s early training programs. The division’s insignia - a silver winged infantry helmet - is occasionally worn by soldiers during commemorative events, reinforcing the historical lineage of U.S. airborne forces.

Notable Operations

Desert Training Program – Early 1943
Simulated airborne assault in the Southwest Asia Training Center – 1943
Operational support during Operation Husky – July 1943
Cold War training headquarters at Fort Bragg – 1952‑1955

Organization and Structure

Initial Regimental Composition

The division’s original organization comprised the following units:

45th Airborne Infantry Regiment – Parachute
46th Airborne Infantry Regiment – Parachute
47th Airborne Infantry Regiment – Glider
45th Airborne Field Artillery Battalion – Parachute
45th Airborne Signal Company
45th Airborne Medical Company
45th Airborne Engineer Company
45th Airborne Quartermaster Company

Specialization and Equipment

Soldiers in the parachute regiments were equipped with the M1935 and later the M1940 parachute systems, which allowed for both static line and free‑fall operations. Glider units used the CG-4A “Hadrian” glider, a versatile platform capable of carrying up to 13 troops or a single artillery piece. Artillery units employed the 75 mm Pack Howitzer, which could be air‑transported via glider or parachute.

Equipment

Parachute Systems

The division utilized the following parachutes:

M1935 static‑line parachute – standard for airborne infantry
M1940 free‑fall parachute – used in specialized training exercises

Glider Aircraft

The CG-4A Hadrian was the primary glider used by the division. Its design allowed for rapid assembly and deployment, making it ideal for airborne assault operations. The glider's capacity to carry heavy equipment, including a 75 mm howitzer, enabled airborne units to be relatively self‑sufficient upon landing.

Artillery

The 75 mm Pack Howitzer, with its lightweight and transportable design, complemented airborne infantry by providing organic fire support. The weapon's ability to be dropped behind enemy lines enhanced the division’s operational autonomy.

Other Support Equipment

Support units employed a range of equipment, including the M1 Combat Car for armored reconnaissance, the M3 Half‑Track for transport, and a variety of communications gear such as the SCR‑19 field radio.

Uniforms and Insignia

Standard Dress

Uniforms followed the standard Army pattern of the era, featuring the Olive Drab (OD) coat, cap, and combat boots. Airborne personnel were distinguished by a brass airborne tab, worn on the right shoulder of the cap, indicating their qualification as an airborne soldier.

Insignia

The division’s distinctive insignia consisted of a silver winged infantry helmet superimposed on a black background. The design was approved in 1943 and used on unit patches, shoulder boards, and official documents. After disbandment, the insignia remained a point of pride for veterans and was later adopted by the 45th Airborne Division Association.

Traditions

Annual Parachute Jump

From 1943 to 1945, the division conducted an annual parachute jump over the training airfield at Camp Mackall. The event served both as a morale booster and a means to maintain proficiency among new recruits.

Glider Landing Competition

During the Cold War period, the division hosted an annual glider landing competition. Participants raced to complete landing drills under varying wind conditions, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.

Legacy

The 45th Airborne Division's contributions to airborne warfare are reflected in several key areas. Its early adoption of glider tactics influenced the design of later airborne units, while its rigorous training standards helped shape modern airborne doctrine. Veterans of the division continued to serve with distinction in subsequent conflicts, carrying forward the lessons learned during their time in the unit. The division’s insignia, commemorative events, and the 45th Airborne Division Association ensure that its history remains an integral part of the U.S. Army’s airborne heritage.

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