The Parachute Regiment Group was a British Army trials group formed in 1989.[1]
Prior to 1989 there had been discussion within the British Army towards grouping the three TA battalions of the Parachute Regiment together, yet funding for a new operational brigade was not available. The Army therefore resulted in using the Parachute Regiments Colonel and HQ (which didn't have a Transition to war (TTW), mobilization-and-war, role) to form an ad hoc unit for trials.
The main role of the Parachute Regiment Group was to deny the German town of Hildesheim to Soviet forces. The surrounding terrain made Hildesheim the only attractive option to the attack, and as a result was viewed as the most likely axis of attack by Soviet forces.
In addition, the surrounding area was also to serve as a protected area for 7th Armoured Brigade to refurbish following their counter attack on Soviet forces, a process expected to take 30 hours.
Upon Transition to War, the Parachute Regiment Group would have been divided as follows:
Upon TTW, the Parachute Regiment Group was made up of the following units:
It was also expected, that 2nd Battalion, Royal Green Jackets would join the force once they had been relieved from their duties in the communication zone. It was also requested by the Parachute Regiment Group, that additional transport, supply, medical, engineering and military police units also be assigned.