Named after Fort Benning in the United States, where thousands of young American volunteers undertook parachute training during World War Two, and dedicated to the history and traditions of the US Army Airborne and Special Forces units from 1940 to 1945.

The Museum was established as a lasting memorial to the thousands of American Paratroopers and Glidermen who did not return from combat in World War Two, and was opened at Bletchley Park, in August 2001 by friend and 82^nd veteran, Warrant Officer Ed Becker who served in the 505^th Parachute Infantry Regiment from 1942 to 1945. Housed in two small rooms in A block the museum struggled to display the many and varied items in the collection. 

In March 2004 the Benning Wing was transferred to its new home at Twinwood Airfield, where in December 1944 Glenn Miller took off for Paris on his last fateful flight. Housed in a separate building, the former Radio Repair Shop, the association has the room to expand the current displays and for new ones. The Benning Wing is an integral part of the Airfields museums and living history structure.

The building in which the museum is housed has a secret history of it own. The brick structure was built as part of the original RAF station. When the US Airforce arrived in 1943, they expanded the airfield, the building was designated as the Radio Repair and Maintenance Shop. The building was under armed guarded 24 hours per day, this may seem odd but the building was also used to house the then Top Secret night-fighter radar sets, used by the training units based on the airfield. A rapid reaction unit and vehicle was on hand 24 hours per day, their task to recover radar sets from crashed aircraft. They would be first on the scene of the crash before any other personnel, even the medics.

The Benning Wing at Bletchley Park

Photos of the Museum at its previous home

The smaller of the two rooms contained displays of personal items, many of which had been donated by WWII Airborne veterans, with some items on loan from members of the Airborne Command Group.  Also on display here were some very nice examples of the support weapons that were available to the Airborne Soldier, including a .50 Browning Heavy Machine Gun in the anti-aircraft role and 81mm and 60mm Mortars.

The smaller of the two rooms contained displays of personal items, many of which had been donated by WWII Airborne veterans, with some items on loan from members of the Airborne Command Group.  Also on display here were some very nice examples of the support weapons that were available to the Airborne Soldier, including a .50 Browning Heavy Machine Gun in the anti-aircraft role and 81mm and 60mm Mortars.  Also on display was a very rare and complete Westfield Compax Paratrooper Bicycle.

The display cabinets also contain some very rare items, especially from the 17^th Airborne Division who have shown a very keen interest in the Museum.  There are also some nice items of USAAF Troop Carrier Command memorabilia on display, illustrating that the Air Corps played an essential part in Airborne operations and are not forgotten.

Taking pride of place on the wall of the room was a Normandy Battle Map, donated by Ed Becker.  This framed and numbered map was commissioned by the General Officer Commanding 82^nd Airborne Division, General Matthew B. Ridgeway, who instructed his G2 Intelligence section to produce an illustration showing what the Division did in the Normandy campaign (as opposed to what was planned!).  The map, which was reproduced in July 1944, is well illustrated and details all units under Ridgeway’s command in Normandy.  The picture was given to all surviving Officers and Warrant Officers of the Division who fought in Normandy.

A second treasured item donated by Ed is his copy of a letter received after the Battle of the Bulge, given to all ranks of the Division, by General Jim Gavin.  It is a letter in which he personally thanks his troops for their actions in the Bulge.

On leaving the room one couldn't help but notice the crisp, sharp original Company photograph on the wall.  This photo was taken in 1944 and was given on permanent loan to the Benning Wing by a veteran of that Company – C Company 1st Battalion 507^th Parachute Infantry Regiment.  The picture is not only remarkable due to its quality but it also serves as a reminder of the sacrifice that these young Americans made.  Taken at Barton Stacy after being released from the 82^nd Airborne Division, who they fought with in Normandy, and attached to the 17^th Abn Div, few of the troopers wear the combat Infantryman’s badge as these are battle casualty replacements for those killed or wounded in France, many of which would themselves be casualties in the Rhine Crossing “Operation Varsity” 7 months later.

The main display gallery illustrated the combat uniform and equipment of the WWII American Airborne Soldier from 1940 to 1945, from Benning Test Platoon to Operational group Special Forces parachutists who parachuted behind the lines into France in 1944.

Through 14 fully equipped mannequins, the history and traditions of the US paratroops and Glidermen were told.  With a back drop of parachute material with a deployed T5 Chute above their heads, the mannequins looked every bit the tough Airborne trooper they represented, a result of the 13 weeks basic training all former shop mannequins undertake before being accepted into the collection!!

Emphasis is on historical accuracy and only original equipment or reproductions of the highest quality are used.  Several items no longer available or beyond financial funding are made especially for the Museum, including several patterns of T5 and T5 modified parachutes.

Aiming to cover all the major campaigns within the European Theatre of Operations and basic training “State Side”, the individual mannequins represented a cross section of the units formed in the early part of America’s Airborne history, with the first figure taking us back to the Test Platoon in 1940 as he would have appeared on a practice jump, shortly after the introduction of the new T5 parachute equipment.  He is seen wearing a Riddel football Helmet and the early pattern aviation overalls, low quarter boots are still worn at this time.  The newly issued T5 is a beautiful copy especially made for the Benning Wing.

The second early training subject represented Lt Dick Winters at the time the 506^th PIR came under the command of the 101^st Airborne Division.  The reproduction un-reinforced M42 jump suit was worn by actor Damen Lewis in Episode 1 of “Band of Brothers” (documented) and serves as a good representation of what the pre-combat paratrooper would have looked like.

The first Divisional Combat was represented by a figure in an original 82^nd Airborne badged North Africa campaign un-reinforced M42 jump suit.  The man’s equipment is also original as is the M1C paratrooper Helmet.

4 mannequins cover the various uniforms worn by the US Airborne in the Normandy campaign and include an 82^nd Division Pathfinder, a 101^st paratrooper NCO, a 327^th Glider Infantryman in full beach landing assault gear (the 327^th did not enter the battle by Glider due to lack of aircraft!)

The next mannequin, and probably the most representative of the WWII US Airborne in the collection, is the fully jump equipped paratrooper!  Standing in the door and ready to go, he wears full assault gear with a T5 parachute, part of which was recovered in the area of St. Mere-du-Mont.  The 506^th PIR parachutist wears original Corcoran jump boots between which sits a rare un-issued bag for the PPNI Eureka Beacon, indicating a 101^st Pathfinder.

The first mannequin representing US Special Forces illustrates an Officer serving in the American/Canadian First Special Service Force in Italy.  Dressed in original combat clothing typical of this multi-skilled force, the figure is a fine memorial to the “Devils Brigade”.

The most recent addition to the museum is the figure of a Mortar Squad leader from the 509^th Parachute Infantry Battalion preparing to engage the enemy on the outskirts of LE-MUY during Operation Dragoon the Invasion of Southern France in August 1944.

Dressed in a camouflaged M42 unreinforced Jump Suit  this Non Commisioned Officer represents the unique form of dress members of the 509PIB and other units of the First Airborne Task Force wore in Combat during this Campaign.

Close inspection will also illustrate the heavily camouflaged webbing equipment and style of camouflage used on the M1C helmet.

The 509^th Parachute Infantry Battalion had a long and illustrious history during WWII and included many “firsts” including First American Combat Jump, First American Infantry Unit to arrive in England, First Paratroopers awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, First Parachute Unit to receive the Presidential Unit Citation and the most decorated Parachute Battalion of WWII.

This figure represents one of the finest Parachute units to have served in the Second World War. 

The next group of figures moves the Museum forward to Holland in September 1944 and the Market Garden operation.  Two mannequins each represent an individual in the 82^nd and the 101^st Airborne Divisions.  One is a Staff Sergeant Squad Leader from the 325^th Glider Infantry armed with an M1 Garand rifle.  The second figure, who sits on the floor, represents a Browning A6 machine gunner from the 501^st Parachute Infantry Regiment.  His appearance in heavily soiled original M43 combat uniform (worn by the Museum curator on the BOB filming) would suggest he has been in combat for several months!

The US Airborne’s heavy commitment to the Battle of the Bulge is illustrated by a figure dressed in a 101^st badged Great Coat.  The 326^th Engineer is seen here fighting as an Infantryman and is armed with a 1944 barrel dated Browning Automatic Rifle.  The figure is surrounded by ration boxes and brew kit, indicating a recent re-supply drop.

In complete contrast to the dirty combat uniforms and heavily mud caked jump and over Boots, the figure seen representing a 507^th Parachute Infantry Regiment Paratrooper ready to board his C46 Commando is dressed in a brand new issued M43 modified jump uniform.  His fluorescent yellow identification panel is used as a neck scarf, illustrating a fashion popular with the troopers of the 17th Airborne.  The Rhine Crossing “Operation Varsity” figure is strapped into a copy of the modified T5 parachute harness with the British x type “bash box” very visible above is original reserve chute.  The trooper is a member of an anti tank team and is armed with a 57mm recoilless Rifle, first used by this Regiment.  A second “Shoulder 57” can be seen at his feet.

The Americans were heavily involved with Jedburgh Special Forces teams and a Museum figure is dedicated to this organisation. At first glance the Museum visitor could be excused for identifying the subject as a British Paratrooper as he wears a British pattern 1944 dated Dennison Airborne Smock.  On closer inspection, however, his wool Trousers, Jump Boots and US ranking insignia indicate that he is an American member of the “Jeds”.

The final figure currently on display is a fully jump equipped member of an American OSS Operational Group.  This individual is dressed and equipped typically of this Special Forces outfit, and illustrates someone waiting in the briefing hut prior to climbing into one of the black painted B-24 Liberator of the Carpetbaggers based at Harrington.  His dress and equipment consist of a M1C jump Helmet camouflaged with a British issue face veil, M43 Jacket with SF Wings insignia, Wool Trousers and Jump Boots.  British issue knee pads are used and were unique to this American unit.

Armed with a M3 Grease Gun, his equipment includes an M3 fighting knife, webbing equipment and British issue x type parachute.  At his feet are several items of mission equipment including a silk escape and invasion map.

Within the display area there was an abundance of general Airborne related equipment, including Griswold bags, para packs, map cases, Pathfinder, Signals and other specialist equipment.

For the visitor with an interest in small arms, the collection has enough to keep them happy, with examples of the M1 Rifle, M1 and M1A1 folding stock carbines, M3/M1A1 sub machine guns, Browning heavy and light machine guns.