| 11th Parachute Battalion | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Parachute_Regiment_cap_badge.jpg){kind=icon} Cap badge of the Parachute Regiment. | |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Airborne forces |
| Size | Battalion |
| Part of | 4th Parachute Brigade |
| Nickname(s) | Red Devils[1] |
| Motto(s) | Utrinque Paratus (Latin for "Ready for Anything") |
| Engagements | Battle of Kos Battle of Arnhem |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Sir George Lea Richard Lonsdale |
| Insignia | |
| The emblem of the Second World War British Airborne Forces, Bellerophon riding the flying horse Pegasus | &sq=&lang=&file=File:British_Airborne_Units.png) |
The 11th Parachute Battalion was an airborne infantry battalion of the Parachute Regiment, raised by the British Army in World War II.
The battalion was formed in the Middle East and was assigned to the 4th Parachute Brigade, 1st Airborne Division. As it was still training it was left behind when the rest of the brigade took part in the invasion of Italy. One company later parachuted onto the island of Kos taking prisoner the large Italian garrison. The battalion rejoined the rest of the 1st Airborne Division, then in England. The only battle in which the battalion participated was the Battle of Arnhem, part of Operation Market Garden, in September 1944. The battalion sustained very heavy casualties and was disbanded following the battle and the men were used as replacements elsewhere.
After the Second World War a reserve 11th Battalion was formed by the Territorial Army (TA) in 1947, but it was disbanded nine years later.
- ^ Otway, p.88