BASIC FIELD MANUAL - TACTICS AND TECHNIQUE OF AIR-BORNE TROOPS - May 20, 1942

Oct 22, 2026

Restricted FM 31-30 presents the tactics and techniques for air-borne troops, including air landing troops and parachute forces, as part of an air task force. It establishes key definitions for air-borne troops, air landing troops, task forces, and related operational terms. It outlines typical missions for leading echelons of air landing troops, such as expanding combat areas, capturing and clearing landing fields, reinforcing parachute-held areas, and securing landing fields for follow-on units.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages145

Reading Time6 h 5 min

AccessFree to download

Basic Field Manual

Air Landing Troops

Chapter 1: General

List of References

RESTRICTED FM 31-30 | WAR DEPARTMENT | | --- | | BASIC FIELD MANUAL
TACTICS AND TECHNIQUE
OF AIR-BORNE TRO0PS
May 20,1942 | RESTRICTED # BASIC FIELD MANUAL TACTICS AND TECHNIQUEOF AIR-BORNE TRO0PS UNITED 8TATE8 GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICEWABHINGTON:1942 WAR DEPARTMENT,WASHINGTON,May 20,1942. FM 31-30,Tactics and Technique of Air-Borne Troops,ispublished for the informatlon and guldance of all concerned. [A.G.062.11(3-26-42).] ## BY ORDSR Or THE SECRETARY or WAR: G.C.MARSHALL,Chief of Staf. OrrICIAL; J.A.ULIO, Masor General,The Adjutant General. ## DISTRIBUTION: R andH(5);Bn andL1-8,10,11,17,18(3), (For explanation of symbols see FM 21-6). .t,1 】1 TABLE OF CONTENTS PART ONE. Air landing troops.ParagraphsParagraphs CHAPT 1.General…………………………………………………………………1-8 CHAPTER 2.Planning and preparation…………………9-26 CHAPTR 3.Tactical operations………………………………27-38 PART TWo. Parachute troops. CHAPTER 1. Characteristics………………… ………………89-47 CHAPTER 2.Organizatlon and technique of parachute troopB.BzcTION I. General…………………………………………………48 II. Parachute rifle squad……………………49-58 III. Parachute 60-mm mortar squad………………………………………………………60-62 IV. Parachute rifle platoon………………68-64 V. Parachute 81-mm mortar pla- ……………65-66 toon…………………………… VI. Parachute caltber 30 machine gun platoon………………………………………67-68 VII. Parachute rifle company……………69-78 VIII. Parachute battalion………………74-76区. Parachute regiment…………… 77 X. Medical detachments………………………78-80 CHAPr2B 3.Training. SBCTION I. General………………………………………………………81 II. Unit training…………………………………………82-84 III. Jumpmaster……………………………………………86-86CHAPYER 4.Supply of parachute units…………………87-01 CHAPZER 5. Tactical employment of paracr ute units. SecrION I. General………………………………………………………92-04 II. Sequence of operation………………95-106Ⅲ. Operations to secure landing 107 areas………………………………………………………………… IV.8lgnal communication………………108-118 CHAPTEB 6. Coordination……………………………………………119-128 CHAPTER 7.Advice to instructors. -124 SECTION I. General………………… Ⅱ. Technlcal parachute train- ing………………………………………………………125-128 Ⅲ. Bquipment…………………………………………129-186 IV. Packing course……………………………137-141 V. Jump traintng course………………142-146 VI, Tower training course………………147-151 VII. Qualifcation jumping………………152-157 VII.Equipment drllls and add1- tional treinfng……………………………158-159IX. 8peclallst schools…………………………160-164 INDx. Page 1 8 24 81 49 50 53 55 56 56 56 58 58 59 61 61 8 7071 77 80 86 87 87 90 111 113 115 118 125 126 181 m # LIST OF REFERENCES FM 5-25,Explosives and Demolitions FM 5-30,Engineer Antimechanzed Measures. FM 7-5,Organization and Tactics of the Rifle Battallon andComponents. FM 7-10,Rifle Company,Rifle Reglment. FM 7-15,Heavy Weapons Company,Rifle Regiment FM 7-20,Rifle Battallon,Rifle Reglment. FM 7-25,Headquarters Company,Intelligence and SignalCommunfcation,RIfle Regiment. FM 7-30,Servlce Company and Medical Detachment(Supplyand Evacuation)Rifle Regiment. FM 7-35,Antitank Company,Rifle Regiment. FM 7-40,Rifle Regiment. FM 11-5,Misslons,Functions,and Signal Communication inGeneral. FM 11-10,Organization and Operations in the InfantryDivision. FM 21-105,Engineer Soldier's Handbook. FM 24-5,Signal Communication. FM 100-5,Operations. FM 101-5,The Staff and Combat Orders. FM 101-10,Organization,Technical,and Logistical Data. TM 1-440,Parachutes,Aircraft Fabrics,and Clothing. 、{ # BASIC FIELD MANUAL TACTICS AND TECHNIQUE OF AIR-BORNE TROOPS PART ONE # AIR LANDING TROOP8 CHAPTER 1 GENERAL 1.RzFKRENCEs.—For the general characteristics,organiza-tion,and tactics of ground troops,see the approprlate FYeldManuals for the arms and servlces.For a general discussionof troops transported by air and air task forces,see FM 100-5.For logistical data relative to movement by air transport,seeFM 101-10

FAQs

What is FM 31-30 about?

FM 31-30 covers the operations, tactics, and techniques of air-borne troops, including air landing troops and parachute forces, as part of an air task force.

How does the manual define air-borne troops and air landing troops?

Air-borne troops are any troops transported by air. Air landing troops are carried in powered aircraft or towed gliders that disembark after reaching the ground.

What missions are assigned to the leading echelons of air landing troops?

Their missions generally include broadening and deepening the combat area established by parachute troops, assisting in capture and clearing of landing fields, relieving parachute troops holding critical areas, and securing landing fields for following echelons.

Oct 22, 2026

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