Matrix Games Forums

Ideally, it seems like it should be possible to airlift HQs out of pockets - in particular to airlift the generals to stop them from getting killed in the pocket.

You can airlift combat units, so why not HQs? IIRC there were some generals that did in fact evacuate by air out of pockets. IIRC this included either Boldin or Yeremenko at some point early in 1941 around Smolensk/Bryansk/somewhere (been a while since I read it)?

Relatedly, it seems like you can't evacuate multi-role units which are set as on-map units. It would be nice if it were possible to use air transport with those as well.

+1 Paulus was airlifted into the pocket in November 1942.

A General maybe, small light aircraft can pretty much land anywhere with a robust enough undercarriage .
Logistically impossible I would say to airlift a divisional HQ. The aircraft available at the time just could not do it ,especially if you include sensitive documents and equipment the HQ unit would have it's not as if they have C5's and large runways !
So how many JU52's for example to lift the HQ personnel?
Well 12 to 13 paratroopers or 18 air landing troops , I'll take 1st panzer HQ as example 19635 personnel so that going to be 1090 flights if you packed 18 people in but I'm sure you could carry a few more in an emergency but even if we were to carry 24 per flight that still going to be 820 flights.
It would also need time to get the ju52's in a position to airlift then your going to need fighter cover, a suitable area to land, troops to protect that area, it just isn't going to work .
Not sure of the capability on the Russian side but I would suspect it is similar

You can only airlift non-motorized units. [:-]