When Dragons Flew

When Dragons Flew - 2nd revised editionWhen Dragons Flew chronicles the history of the 1st Battalion The Border Regiment from the outbreak of war in September 1939, through service with the BEF in France, to its training in an independent role, then as part of the 1st Air-Landing Brigade of the 1st Airborne Division from October 1941 to October 1945. The Battalion moved to North Africa in May 1943 and took part in the first major Allied glider operation of the Second World War, the landings on Sicily on 9-10 July, when tragically many lives were lost as gliders crashed in the sea.The Battalion went on to serve in Italy, then played a significant and distinguished role defending the western side of the Division's perimeter at Oosterbeek near Arnhem in the famous Operation 'Market Garden' of September 1944, and it is this action that receives closest attention in the book. In May 1945 the Battalion was sent to Norway to supervise the surrender of German forces.The authors carried out research principally from original sources to provide this chronology of the Battalion's wartime history. These are supported by a wealth of personal reminiscences of veterans who served with the Battalion during the war years, and the book is very much their story. Detailed appendices, including a Roll of Honour, Battalion Roll for Arnhem, and honours and awards gained, complete this comprehensive and gripping account.Originally published in 1994, the book has inspired great interest in the other Air Landing Battalions, glider-borne and other units of the 1st Airborne Division, as reflected in the publication of several books over the last decade. Out of print for many years, this new edition contains more than 350 photographs and additional information in the Roll of Honour and Battalion Roll.Published by the Regimental Museum.