Gliders or Paratroop transport?

[thatguy96]

Originally Posted by PanzerBob

Now FJ Airmobile, that is interesting to try, just remember to be in the weeds and don't forget The Ride of Valkyie!!!! MUUHAHAHA!!!

As someone who has toyed around with airmobile assaults in WinSPMBT I can assure that this is no cake walk either. It has its own set of difficulties. Helicopters are extremely fragile and extremely responsive to enemy fire. A transport plane or glider isn't going to turn around in the face of enemy fire. A helicopter might, and it might just be carrying the exact units you need to break out from the LZ. You need to find a landing zone with a good covered approach...and barring that set up a walk of smoke or otherwise suppress any defenses that are on route. You'll note that in the early days of airmobile operations, at least for the US, laying thick smoke screens around the LZ was part of the general plan, to provide an immediate defense against enemies taking advantage of helicopters at their most vulnerable.

[Cross]

I seem to recall having a transport place shot down once, and some of the paratroopers managed to get out before it hit the ground. But this was a long time ago, so could be wrong...

[DRG]

Paras will attempt to escape from a shot down transport

Don

[BadCompany]

Can't stand Transports.

I recently did a hotseat game,I bought some paras to give my opponent a nasty suprise,but my main force got routed, a para platoon was spread out over 20 hexes, just a disaster.I managed to kill the enemy arty, but I don't think my opponent even noticed

I've done way better with gliders,if I had went with gliders I could have brought a light tank to the field,but nooooooo.

I think you have to be an expert to plot an airbrne assault correctly.

[Cross]

Sounds like people have had bad Paratroop experiences.

Perhaps I was lucky, but I put down a company of paratroops behind enemy lines and they had few - if any -casualties on landing; then proceded to cause mayhem and confusion.

The key seemed to be finding a good drop zone, and then moving them quickly into woods, cover or built-up areas where they can easily hold their own against the inevitable armoured response.

I think good visibilty may help you drop on target. But also aids the anti-aircraft guns. Try to approach the drop zone from a nearby map edge, so the AAA won't get much of an opportunity.

[hoplitis]

Ok. Let's summ up:
1. You need a fairly unobstracted and safe landing zone near a meaningful location on the battlefield and a fairly safe route to it,
2. Must be timed correctly and
3. Must be lucky during the actual paradrop/glide landing.
which would be equivalent to:
1.The second in command of the opposing force decided to become a traitor and the flak crews joined him!
2. The operations/logistics guys actually completed all the planning and asset gathering in time!
3. The dice are loaded!

Air Ops? No way!
I'll walk the battlefield first and then

[BadCompany]

One thing I want to add:
When using transports you also have to remember that your soldiers are vulnerable while hanging from those stupid parachutes,so you lose either way.

[iCaMpWiThAWP]

Originally Posted by BadCompany

One thing I want to add:
When using transports you also have to remember that your soldiers are vulnerable while hanging from those stupid parachutes,so you lose either way.

ahh, that's why my para units get whiped out when dropped near enemy, also why do gliders show as DESTROYED after a landing?even when they land ok?another question, can helico crew/cargo survive a crash?

[PanzerBob]

IIRC Helo lose all on board when shot down.

Bob out

[iCaMpWiThAWP]

Originally Posted by PanzerBob

IIRC Helo lose all on board when shot down.

Bob out

and what's IIRC?