PARATROOPS

PARATROOPS, trained and equipped with parachutes, jump behind enemy lines from aircraft. They usually fight in conjunction with an amphibious landing, a large-scale ground offensive, or as highly mobile reinforcements. As light infantry these troops lack heavy weapons and cannot remain in the field long without heavy aerial resupply or contact with ground forces.

The French first used paratroops during World War I. German success with paratroops early in World War II spurred the formation of American airborne divisions. American paratroops participated in combat on all fronts. There were two airborne operations by U.S.

troops during the Korean War and one during the Vietnam War.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Breuer, William B. Geronimo!: American Paratroopers in World War II. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1989.

WarnerStark/a. e.

See alsoD Day ; Normandy Invasion ; Sicilian Campaign .

par·a·troops / ˈparəˌtroōps/ • pl. n. troops equipped to be dropped by parachute from aircraft: [as adj.] (usu. paratroop) a paratroop regiment.