The Story of the 505th PIR

The 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) was activated on July 6, 1942, at Fort Benning, Georgia, and would soon become an integral part of the 82nd Airborne Division. From its inception, the 505th was destined to make airborne history, playing a pivotal role in some of the most critical operations of World War II.

 

Early Training and First Combat: Operation Husky

 

On April 28, 1943, the 505th departed from the New York Port of Embarkation, bound for Casablanca, North Africa. After arriving, the regiment was transported to Kairouan, Tunisia, where they underwent six weeks of intensive training. This preparation led to their first combat mission—Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily.

 

On July 9, 1943, the 505th PIR made its first combat jump, becoming the first U.S. Airborne regiment to lead a major invasion. Despite severe challenges, including heavy anti-aircraft fire, scattered drops, and stiff resistance from the Hermann Göring Panzer Division supported by 16 Mark VI Tiger 1 tanks, the 505th secured key objectives like the Y junction and Biazza Ridge. Their defense against the Tiger tanks and German forces was instrumental in preventing a breakthrough to the beaches, ensuring the success of the 45th and 1st infantry divisions invasion.

 

Italy: Operation Avalanche

 

Following the Sicily campaign, the regiment returned to Africa to regroup and re-equip. On September 14, 1943, they were called back into action during Operation Avalanche, the Allied invasion of mainland Italy. The 505th made an emergency combat jump behind enemy lines to relieve encircled U.S. forces near the Anzio beachhead.

 

Their success continued as they captured vital bridges over the Volturno River and even liberated the city of Naples. These victories came at a cost, but the 505th proved their mettle time and time again, earning their reputation as one of the most effective airborne regiments.

 

Normandy: Operation Overlord

 

In early 1944, the 505th moved to England to prepare for Operation Overlord, the D-Day invasion of Normandy. On June 6, 1944, the 505th made their third combat jump, landing in the predawn hours of D-Day. Despite heavy resistance, they secured critical objectives, including the La Fière bridge, the N13 highway, and Sainte-Mère-Église—the first town liberated in France.

 

These achievements were crucial in supporting the success of the Utah Beach landings, cementing the 505th’s legacy as a premier airborne regiment.

 

Holland: Operation Market Garden

 

Following their success in Normandy, the 505th trained for Operation Market Garden, the largest airborne operation of the war. In September 1944, the regiment dropped into Nazi-occupied Holland, securing key objectives such as the Groesbeek Heights and the Nijmegen bridges. While the operation ultimately fell short of its goals, the 505th’s efforts were critical in advancing Allied forces deeper into Europe.

 

The Ardennes: Battle of the Bulge

 

In December 1944, the 505th was deployed to Belgium to counter the German offensive during the Battle of the Bulge. Undermanned and undersupplied after Market Garden, the regiment defended key positions, including the bridges along the Salm River and the town of Trois-Ponts. Their resilience against overwhelming odds helped blunt the German advance and turn the tide of the war in the Allies’ favor.

 

Final Push: Into Germany

 

After surviving the brutal winter in Belgium, the 505th pushed eastward into Germany, participating in the crossing of the Elbe River. In the closing days of the war, they helped liberate the Wöbbelin Concentration Camp alongside the 8th Infantry Division, bearing witness to the atrocities of the Holocaust and providing aid to the survivors.

 

Post-War Duty and Homecoming

 

With the war in Europe concluded, the 505th was assigned to occupation duty in Berlin, maintaining order in the defeated German capital. In early January 1946, the regiment returned to the United States and was honored in a victory parade on January 12, marching proudly up Fifth Avenue in New York City.

 

Legacy

 

The 505th PIR’s service during World War II stands as a testament to courage, sacrifice, and resilience. From their first combat jump in Sicily to the liberation of concentration camp survivors in Germany, their contributions to the Allied victory are etched into history. Today, their story serves as a source of inspiration, reminding us of the bravery of the Greatest Generation and the importance of preserving their legacy for future generations.

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