)
, image = Paracaidistas Campo de Marte 1942.jpg
, image_size =
, caption = Members of the unit marching in Lima
, dates = 1939 – after 1941?
, allegiance =
, country =
, branch =
Aeronautical Corps of Peru
, type =
Light infantry
Light infantry refers to certain types of lightly equipped infantry throughout history. They have a more mobile or fluid function than other types of infantry, such as heavy infantry or line infantry. Historically, light infantry often fought ...
Airborne infantry
Airborne forces, airborne troops, or airborne infantry are ground combat units carried by aircraft and airdropped into battle zones, typically by parachute drop or air assault. Parachute-qualified infantry and support personnel serving in ai ...
, role =
, size =
, garrison =
, battles =
Ecuadorian–Peruvian War
The Ecuadorian–Peruvian War, known locally as the War of '41 ( es, link=no, Guerra del 41), was a South American border war fought between 5–31 July 1941. It was the first of three military conflicts between Ecuador and Peru during the 20th ...
*
Battle of Zarumilla
, commander5 =
Cpt. Augusto Duarte Colichón
2nd Lt. Jesús Polar Valdivia
, anniversaries =
The Paratrooper Company was the
paratroop branch of the
Aeronautical Corps of Peru. Formed in 1939, it saw combat during the
Ecuadorian–Peruvian War
The Ecuadorian–Peruvian War, known locally as the War of '41 ( es, link=no, Guerra del 41), was a South American border war fought between 5–31 July 1941. It was the first of three military conflicts between Ecuador and Peru during the 20th ...
, when it seized the Ecuadorian port city of
Puerto Bolívar
Puerto Bolívar is an urban parish and port city, part of the municipality of Machala, El Oro Province, Ecuador. Puerto Bolívar is one of the world's largest shipment points for bananas, most of them destined for Europe; about 80% of Ecuador's ...
on 27 July 1941, marking the first time in the Americas that
airborne troops were used in combat.
History
On 27 March 1927, Enrique Tavernie Entelador became the first Peruvian paratrooper when he leapt from an
Avro aircraft, piloted by Captain Clifford, from a height of 2,000 meters over
Las Palmas Air Base
Las Palmas Air Base is a military airport in Santiago de Surco District, city of Lima, Peru. It is administered by the Peruvian Air Force (abbreviated FAP), one of three branches of the Peruvian Armed Forces.
The runway length does not include a ...
(then Las Palmas Aerodrome). Subsequently, on 10 May 1928, Second Lieutenant César Álvarez Guerra voluntarily jumped from a height of 3,000 meters, becoming the first military paratrooper.
Major Fernando Melgar Conde and Sergeant 1st. Jose Pineda Castro followed on 16 May 1928, when they jumped over Las Palmas at altitudes of 2,000 and 4,300 meters, respectively. On 24 May of that year, Ensign Peter Griva, of the seaplane service from Ancon, jumped from a height of 2,000 meters.
The first Parachute School opened in 1939, with now Colonel Guerra in command.
José Quiñones attended this school.
Ecuadorian–Peruvian War
The unit became well known during the Ecuadorian–Peruvian War
The Ecuadorian–Peruvian War, known locally as the War of '41 ( es, link=no, Guerra del 41), was a South American border war fought between 5–31 July 1941. It was the first of three military conflicts between Ecuador and Peru during the 20th ...
when paratroopers Antonio Brandariz Ulloa, Carlos Raffo García and Armando Orozco seized the city of Puerto Bolívar
Puerto Bolívar is an urban parish and port city, part of the municipality of Machala, El Oro Province, Ecuador. Puerto Bolívar is one of the world's largest shipment points for bananas, most of them destined for Europe; about 80% of Ecuador's ...
in southern Ecuador
Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechua: ''Ikwadur Ripuwlika''; Shuar: ' ...
prior to the declaration of a ceasefire on July 31, 1941, concluding the Peruvian offensive in El Oro Province
El Oro (; ''oro'' = gold) is the southernmost of Ecuador's coastal provinces. It was named for its historically important gold production. Today it is one of the world's major exporters of bananas. The capital is Machala.
History
The area was s ...
.
See also
* History of Paratrooping
* Sinchis, a similar unit of the National Police of Peru
The Peruvian National Police ( es, Policía Nacional del Perú, PNP) is the national police force of Peru. Its jurisdiction covers the nation's land, sea, and air territories. Formed from the merge of the Investigative Police, the Civil Guard, a ...
, formerly the Civil Guard.
Notes
References
{{Reflist
Airborne warfare
Special forces of Peru