507th Parachute Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment (507th PIR) was a parachute infantry regiment of the United States Army, activated during World War II. It participated in the Normandy landings (Operation Overlord) and Operation Varsity.
World War II Service:
The 507th PIR was activated on November 15, 1943, at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. It was initially assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. Under the command of Colonel Edson Raff, the regiment arrived in England in early 1944 to prepare for the invasion of Europe.
During Operation Overlord, the 507th PIR was dropped into Normandy on June 6, 1944, as part of the 82nd Airborne Division's contribution to the D-Day landings. Due to poor weather and navigation errors, the regiment was scattered across a wide area. Despite this, elements of the 507th PIR engaged the enemy fiercely, playing a vital role in securing key objectives and disrupting German defenses. The regiment suffered heavy casualties during the Normandy campaign, including the capture of Colonel Raff.
After Normandy, the 507th PIR was transferred to the newly formed 17th Airborne Division. The regiment participated in the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 and January 1945, holding critical defensive positions against the German offensive.
The 507th PIR's final combat jump of World War II was during Operation Varsity, the airborne assault across the Rhine River in March 1945. The regiment successfully landed near Wesel, Germany, and helped secure the area for the Allied advance.
Post-War and Inactivation:
Following the end of World War II, the 507th PIR was inactivated. It has not been reactivated as a parachute infantry regiment since that time.
Legacy:
The 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment is remembered for its bravery and sacrifice during World War II. Its contributions to the Normandy landings, the Battle of the Bulge, and Operation Varsity are significant chapters in the history of the United States Army Airborne. The regiment's legacy is carried on by paratroopers throughout the modern Army.