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While working on a paper for a USAF intelligence group (CASI =
Chinese Aerospace Studies Institute) I unintentionally came
across a reference to the formation of the first PLA airborne
unit. It was formed using the "3rd Parachute Regiment" which
had defected in 1949, a time when the PLAAF was being organized.
I could not find any reference to such units in the ROC official
history - so I assume the lineage was not a proud one. [That is,
in The History of the Sino-Japanese War, 1937-1945]. But I did
find surprising details on the "1st Parachute Regiment" on a site
dedicated to medals. This unit formed about the beginning of April
1944. In January 1945 it was broken into six 200 man "Commando"
units for operations with a US special operations force. [That
indicates about a 1200 strong battalion]. The program was supposed
to expand to twenty Commando's, using other NRA soldiers selected
by the US, but the program seems to have failed for lack of quality
in the recruits and failure to permit screening as agreed - it
may be no more than those six Commando's were formed at all. Still -
we now have a new kind of ROC military formation, and some idea of
their number and size. Also that one of them participated in the
wholesale changing of sides in 1949. [This likely was because the
unit was located in a place where escape was no longer likely, and
discretion seemed the better part of valor]. ROC Army today does
have parachute trained SOF troops - in small formations - but they
make no reference to a historical lineage I could find. [One woman
corporal was hurt in a training accident not long ago; her story
made the local press. Interesting that, just as PLA has women
Recon Marines, so ROC Army has women para's].

NRA? Wouldn't the parachutists be actually a part of SACO?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-Amer ... ganization

Maybe the Commando's formed from January 1945 were, but the three regiments
formed in 1944 were not. They were, apparently, essentially Chinese light
infantry taught to use parachutes. The US Army wanted to create raider units
and was given one of the regiments - which it broke into six parts - and to
which it assigned some US officers. As far as I can tell, the plan to create
20 of these units failed entirely - for lack of cooperation and poor quality
of the troops from other units (not the first parachute regiment). Reading
between the lines of the data (on a heraldry site dedicated to ribbons after all)
it looks a lot like the general story of frustration Stillwell reports time
and again. Hard to get any deal, and then the deal is not very well honored
in the execution.

I would like to give some details and corrections.

1. Australian major in KMT uniform.
The born of Chinese parachute regiment thanks to 2 people. Australian Shidianhua (sorry I can not find his English name) was the first one who made the suggestion and plan in 1943 right after invasion of Sicily. He was later given KMT major rank. Chennault helped a lot. Stilwell refused to help but ChiangKaiShek approved.
2. Source of troop
General of 5th army searched western-southern provinces himself for high quality men. Only young students had middle school education or above were allowed to join while 90% soldiers in KMT army were completely illiterate. Officers were selected from 5th army. Jan 1944, 1st parachute regiment (1st PR) was founded started hard training but without any parachute training.
3. Americans nodded
Feb 1945 Americans arrived Kunming and inspected 1st PR then agreed to provide equipment and Instructors. On 8 Apr 1945 renamed to Army Commando. It had 20 units. Australian was the commander of 11th unit (rank raised to Colonel)

4. Fight
Jul 1945, Commandos made 3 successful attacks. The No.2 was an airlanding on a Japan airfield. They captured it quickly and held for 3days until reinforcement came. 24 killed 25 wounded. Japanese casualty about 164. There were 2 American instructors got killed during those battles.
4. Uprise
The Commando expanded to 3 regiments and 4 battalions after the war with japs. Then used as guard of Nanking. The commander of 3rd regiment turned out to be CCP underground. He lead an successful uprise while transporting 2500 men on a LST to Xiamen.

Regarding the above photos... The equipment photo shows gear used by the US 503rd PIR. Any idea of the context in which the photo was used? It is interesting that the Chinese boarding the C-47 appear to be wearing captured Japanese tank crew helmets.

Correction: The transport may be a C-46.