Invading and Ports

[canuckgamer]

I noticed that when I invaded directly in to a port hex even when it was unoccupied, it suffered damage so that transports could not move in to it and land the same turn. I'm wondering if ports suffer damage if I invade adjacent and move in with a land move?

[Markiss]

I don't think there is a way to avoid or even mitigate the damage a resource receives when it is conquered.

Being able to use a port on the same turn you seize it is also potentially game altering. In the right port, you could land an awful lot of troops on the first turn, just using transports. And your opponent would have no opportunity to counter all of those forces just waltzing ashore without opposition.

Since transports can move on the same turn they embark, the invading troops would not even have to board their transports until they were sure of success, making invasions a little too easy, I think.

If the port is damaged, your opponent could attack it with bombers or ships to keep it damaged, making single-unit landings more risky. And it also gives him at least one turn to operate-in forces to fight you with before you can quickly and cheaply transport-in a bunch of troops.

If you want to make an amphibious invasion stick for sure, you have to BRING IT. Take several ports at once. Block the rail-lines that your opponent will use to operate-in troops. Bomb the rail hubs as well if you can. Paratroops can complement an invasion as well if you can incorporate them.

[Razo42]

I tried to switch out the Gibraltar garrison with the BEF Army (sorry France...), and couldn't do it because of the same reasons. So leaving the port unoccuppied for a turn had some negative diplomacy effects. Would it be better if I just parked the troop transport next to the port for emergencies?

(I am not trying to hijack the post, but I thought this is also a port question).