The 6th Airborne Division was an airborne infantry division of the British Army during the Second World War. Despite its name, the 6th was actually the second of two airborne divisions raised by the British Army during the war, the other being the 1st Airborne Division. The 6th Airborne Division was formed in the Second World War, in mid-1943, and was commanded by Major-General Richard N. Gale. The division consisted of the 3rd and 5th Parachute Brigades along with the 6th Airlanding Brigade and supporting units.
Glider infantry of D Company, 2nd Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, of the 6th Airlanding Brigade, 6th Airborne Division, in Normandy 1944.
The division's first GOC, Major-General Richard Nelson "Windy" Gale.
Men from the 22nd Independent Parachute Company, the division's pathfinders, prior to take off for Normandy 5 June 1944.
Paratroopers of the 6th Airborne Division climbing into an RAF Albemarle aircraft at RAF Harwell, 5 June 1944.
The 3rd Parachute Brigade was an airborne forces brigade raised by the British Army during the Second World War. The brigade was initially part of the 1st Airborne Division, but remained in Britain when that division was sent overseas, and became part of the 6th Airborne Division, alongside 5th Parachute Brigade and 6th Airlanding Brigade.
Parachute troops during Exercise Mush, April 1944
General Sir Bernard Montgomery greets RSM A. Parsons of the 8th (Midlands) Parachute Battalion during an inspection of the 6th Airborne Division at Bulford, Wiltshire, 8 March 1944. Stood closest to the camera is the brigade's commander, Brigadier "Speedy" Hill.
Men of the 9th Parachute Battalion in Amfreville, near the hotly contested village of Breville