The Germans had airborne troops. They used them to invade Norway, and they were even used during the invasion of the low countries. And, most people don't know this but, Hitler's deputy Fuhrer, Rudolph Hess parachuted into Scotland after the fall of France. He claimed to be the bringer of peace between the UK and Germany. Instead, the British imprisoned him until war's end.
Now. I have a question. If the Germans were able to Parachute a single man into Scotland without any problems (except for the Brits throwing him in jail). Why didn't they ever execute an Airborne invasion of the UK?
The main problem I think would be how would the planes get back. But, then I think, the Germans had gliders. Meaning, not only could they parachute troops into Scotland, but they could also bring in the Panzers.
Would it have been possible? What if the UK did fall to the Germans? What effects would it have had on the war?
This would not have been possible. Number one, the Germans never had air superiority over Britain because of the Battle of Britain, however for the purposes of this discussion lets say that they win the Battle of Britain (which is certainly possible). The other problem is Germany probably didn't have more than 1 or 2 divisions of trained airborne troops at this point in the war, hardly enough to stage any kind of successful operation. Let's remember that it took the whole German airborne force a year later to secure Crete, a much smaller island, and that battle wiped out the German airborne infantry for the rest of the war. Again, for the purposes of this scenario, let's wave that fact.
The thing is, the only way for a proper airborne assault to have any chance of success is if the initial airborne forces can secure an airfield so proper troops can be flown in without the need to airdrop them in. There are a finite number of airfields in Britain, and the British now where all of these are and can certainly cover them. In addition, the British will have armored assets which they will be able to deploy to any drop zone. Radar means the British will be able to figure out where the Germans are going to land, which is an additional advantage.
So, let's see how this works out. The Germans decide to launch an airborne invasion. They decide to land forces at a number of airfields and then airlift additional forces in. British radar detects the inbound forces, so they know where they'll be going. In addition to the troops already present at the airfields, armored formations will move into the region. The result is going to be massacre. Lightly armed paratroopers disorganized and spread out after the initial drop facing dug in British infantry and armor which they have little way of combatting.
Let's bring in gliders. The Allies used gliders extensively during the Invasion of Normandy, and overall their effect has been regarded as a failure. Yes, you can bring in non-paratroopers by air, but crashes are common, troops are still spread out and disorganized upon landing, and you will still be unable to bring in the full amount of heavy equipment that could be brought by sea. Yes, the largest German gliders could carry tanks, but these are light tanks at best and they can't be brought in in large numbers at all.
So to conclude it all, they never launched an airborne invasion because they didn't have enough trained paratroopers and they never had air superiority, and even if they had all these things, the inherent disadvantages of an airborne assault would mean that the resuult would have been a massacre.
- Light-Infa
- location: United States
- joined: Aug 10, 2009
- posts: 212
It is much easier to miss a single parachute than several hundred at a time.
"Mors ultima linea rerum est mortalis."
- MajorLufbery
- MHII, MH GOLD
- location: France
- joined: Aug 12, 2009
- posts: 1173
TehBoss said
Well, I'll do it anyway in Making History 2!
Since they're adding paratroopers.
I certainly look forward to massive airborne assaults as well!
- Light-Infa
- location: United States
- joined: Aug 10, 2009
- posts: 212
TehBoss said
Now i dont have to clear out the English channel or north sea to invade britain! or the British invading me o_O...
Hopefully the AI is smart enough to use paratroopers effectively!
- Light-Infa
- location: United States
- joined: Aug 10, 2009
- posts: 212
Light-Infa said
Hopefully the AI is smart enough to use paratroopers effectively!
That's what scares me.
"I am not your son"
~JPS
- cavetroll1304
- MHII, MH GOLD
- location: United States
- joined: Aug 10, 2009
- posts: 1260
yeah, playing as Germany, you better have damned good defences! Or you might find that the soviets paradropped behind your defensive lines into Poland, or the British just liberated Paris.
Or if the AI is smart enough to conduct diversionary attacks. They Paradrop into Denmark, but the real attack is set to take place in Southern France, while you take troops and move them into Denmark.
Wen MH 2 comes out I will use the Paratroopers to invade big industrial areas. I can use em and the other country's economic might even be crushed. Like I am Germany and my Blitzkrieg is going awesome but the Russians can create to much panser and they have to much oil! But with big air born troops I can take over Kaukaususs and there big industry citys in the Urals! There biggest armys will be in the frontline!
"Idea becomes real" - Nordic Battle Groups motto
"A mans success isn't based on how high he can reach at the top ... only how high he bounces up when he have hit the bottom" - General G.S Patton
- thegeniusmartin
- location: Sweden
- joined: Aug 13, 2009
- posts: 987
Great way to invade italy, and imagine a huge airborn assault into china.
"Mors ultima linea rerum est mortalis."
- MajorLufbery
- MHII, MH GOLD
- location: France
- joined: Aug 12, 2009
- posts: 1173
MajorLufbery said
Great way to invade italy, and imagine a huge airborn assault into china.
yeah that would be cool
"Idea becomes real" - Nordic Battle Groups motto
"A mans success isn't based on how high he can reach at the top ... only how high he bounces up when he have hit the bottom" - General G.S Patton
- thegeniusmartin
- location: Sweden
- joined: Aug 13, 2009
- posts: 987
It would also be historical.
"Mors ultima linea rerum est mortalis."
- MajorLufbery
- MHII, MH GOLD
- location: France
- joined: Aug 12, 2009
- posts: 1173
MajorLufbery said
It would also be historical.
yeah but wouldn't it be much more cooler to make Russia surrender because there industry collapsed?
"Idea becomes real" - Nordic Battle Groups motto
"A mans success isn't based on how high he can reach at the top ... only how high he bounces up when he have hit the bottom" - General G.S Patton
- thegeniusmartin
- location: Sweden
- joined: Aug 13, 2009
- posts: 987
Their largest economic resources are mainly in the west, so it would make it too easy.
"Mors ultima linea rerum est mortalis."
- MajorLufbery
- MHII, MH GOLD
- location: France
- joined: Aug 12, 2009
- posts: 1173
it's a good way to invade France.
drop soldiers WAYY far behind lines, and then Surround the French before they even know what hit 'em.
but i like what MajorLufbery said about invading Italy. Uses much less transports.
I think it's a good way to invade just about anybody.
"I am not your son"
~JPS
- cavetroll1304
- MHII, MH GOLD
- location: United States
- joined: Aug 10, 2009
- posts: 1260
jumps up and down excitedly ME!
"I am not your son"
~JPS
- cavetroll1304
- MHII, MH GOLD
- location: United States
- joined: Aug 10, 2009
- posts: 1260
The key to airborne invasions is always the followup attack. Even if your troops are successful, they only have the supplies they jumped with, so unless other troops create a supply line the para's ability to fight effectively diminishes as time goes on.
Chris--
Product Manager
