How do you use your paratroopers

[Gary Tatro]

I have tried to use paratroopers, but I have given up in frustration. I know you need to buy the troops but do you also need to buy gliders or cargo planes, and once you have bought them how do you get them onto the planes. I know how to set the landing or drop hex but I just can not seem to figure out how to get the troops into the planes. I know that I am opening my self up to a bunch of funny replies like, Well why don't you just tell them to get in the plane, or order them to do it, but I would like the mechanics eventually.

[FNG]

During deployment load the paras onto the aircraft and then set the drop hex, turn required, and aircraft entry and exit direction.

Just in case you haven't guessed already, it's best to enter the map with the smallest possible distance to the DZ - this lowers the number of AAA attacks your opponent will get against the fully loaded aircraft. If they're toasted after the drop, who cares?:)

Good luck!

[Bernie]

Getting them on the planes can be tough. You have to trick them a little. What I usually do is I setup a tent in front of the door to the plane and place a sign over the entrance that says, "Enlisted Mens Club - Free Beer!".

Getting them back out of the plane, over enemy territory, can be even tougher. I usually have my pilots do a half roll to the left (door side down) and then a slight climb while flying through the AA fire. This makes all the troops slide right to the door, and the bouncing from the AA shakes loose any "hangers". Of course, I could probably eliminate the whole problem if I just stopped having POW's pack the parachutes...

Seriously though...

The last time I used paratroops (quite awhile ago) IIRC they were already loaded on the plane when I went to deployment. Of course, I usually "auto deploy" first and then go in and make changes to the deployment (like getting my artillery units under better cover and locating FO's where they can actually have LOS on the front).

[Capt. Pixel]

FNG was very succinct.

I tend to do the process in reverse order, though.

Plot approach to drop, Determine turn of drop, Pick drop hex.

Cargo aircraft drop their passengers in 'sticks'. The length of the stick is dependent on the number of parachutists. A parachutist is dropped every other hex along the approach path. Parachutists will start dropping in reverse order from how you loaded them. (That is, if you load your A0 last in a plane, it'll be the first unit to parachute).

Gliders tumble to a landing and disgorge all their passengers in one hex. Loading order is irrelevant.

Actual drop hexes drift enormously from your original plot. I'm unaware of any method that can improve their accuracy.

Careful selection of aircraft departure paths can save lost points to your opponent. I would care if they were shot down. I need them tomorrow night.

[robot]

Hope this helps you. Click on unit to load then hit L key and the plane you want them on. Cargo planes have capacity of 20. Make sure you put 2 squads on each plane. Check the cost to carry and what the planes can carry. In puchase menu make sure you have enough planes to carry all the men and equipment. For instance one platoon of fj german paras has 4 ten men squads, Plus 1 machine gun squad of 4men. 2 planes for the men and 1 for the mg. So you must figure out what to do with the last 2 planes you buy. It takes some time to get the proper number of men and equipment but well worth the effort. I have dropped anti tank rifles,mortors ,engineers and scouts with my para force. Take the time in purchase to make sure you have the proper number of planes either cargo and or gliders. I have had 12 planes of cargo and four of gliders to being in heavy equipment. The gliders brought in 81 or 50mm morters plus anti tank rifles and heavy mg. Good luck hope this helps. I am ex para myself and love to see the little paras dropping and causing all kinds of disruption behind the enemy lines. Helps get rid of some of the front line troops. Plus can find those rear aerea arttilery.