Anyone used massive #s of paratroopers?

[unmerged(8319)]

Allthough expensive and fairly weak in attacking, paratroopers do offer some certain advantages under certain circumstances.

So far I never build or used more than 2 paratrooper units under any version of HOI.

I just wondered if anyone ever tried using a large number and if there might be some extra benefit that you don't get at 1 or 2 level use of paratroopers?

 

[Ilkhold]

Allthough expensive and fairly weak in attacking, paratroopers do offer some certain advantages under certain circumstances.

So far I never build or used more than 2 paratrooper units under any version of HOI.

I just wondered if anyone ever tried using a large number and if there might be some extra benefit that you don't get at 1 or 2 level use of paratroopers?

I recently read of someone who's standard strategy it was to use large numbers of paratroopers in Poland. He then complained, that with a new patch his 20! Divisions were lost somehow (starved to death while waiting on the planes) and without them it took him ages to conquer Poland.

 

[unmerged(8319)]

Ahem, well. I guess I should have added, that newbie experiments might be excluded from this thread

*goes ranting about using paratroopers to conquer Panzer land! *

 

[unmerged(26154)]

for me it depends on what my tech levels are like e.g commando uniform (canny mind what its called)

once while playing germany i used around 11 para div's for the invasion of russia.

 

[mesut]

Hi,

I used 6 para divisions with a transport division for every 2 paras (1.06, CORE) with Germany for operation "Seelöwe" and my Caucasus campaign. They are useful to conquer low infrastructure/mountain provinces or cut enemy forces off from supplies. However they require some micromanagement that some people dislike.

Regards
Mesut

 

[ltccone]

Allthough expensive and fairly weak in attacking, paratroopers do offer some certain advantages under certain circumstances.

So far I never build or used more than 2 paratrooper units under any version of HOI.

I just wondered if anyone ever tried using a large number and if there might be some extra benefit that you don't get at 1 or 2 level use of paratroopers?

I always build 1 early on and 2 later (C.O.R.E.). One fits into a basic air transport and three into an improved one. I've never had the need for more than that.

 

[oxymoron]

Since 1.06 I find paratroopers much more usefull despite the cost.

Besides of conquering unoccupied mountan, low infrastructure provinces and harbours or completition of encirclements, I use them to pave the way for the tanks.

Since 1.06 there is a huge movement penalty, when attacking a province. After achieving a breakthrough with my mechanized forces, I like to grab the next province on the way with paratroopers, if its not occupied. That way my mechanized forces move even faster and get the defensive bonus, when the enemy forces try to close the gap.

Usually I end up with around a dozen couples of para div/transport plane when playing Germany or USSR.

 

[unmerged(18043)]

Interesting Battle stategies. I must go and try this on for myself. the Only tiem I've used Para's in to setup a beachhead in England to make shipping troops in from Ireland easier.

 

[unmerged(25053)]

Use more than 2-3 paras? Never. Too expensive in TIME and build points for the gain. Especially the TP. imho

 

[jayswimmer]

Since 1.06 I find paratroopers much more usefull despite the cost.

Besides of conquering unoccupied mountan, low infrastructure provinces and harbours or completition of encirclements, I use them to pave the way for the tanks.

Since 1.06 there is a huge movement penalty, when attacking a province. After achieving a breakthrough with my mechanized forces, I like to grab the next province on the way with paratroopers, if its not occupied. That way my mechanized forces move even faster and get the defensive bonus, when the enemy forces try to close the gap.

Usually I end up with around a dozen couples of para div/transport plane when playing Germany or USSR.

Don't paras still suffer from the low infra in the province? Do you have to get them to move out of the province right away?

 

[unmerged(13158)]

Paras are good for defense also. they can shift to any threatened province immdeiatelly if you hold them in reserve with their transports. I like parking them in Berlin - perfectly situated to go to N Africa, Scandinavia, Russia, France.. wherever needed.

 

[unmerged(4747)]

Don't paras still suffer from the low infra in the province? Do you have to get them to move out of the province right away?

Only if there is not a land connection to your capital.

 

[unmerged(8319)]

Paras are good for defense also. they can shift to any threatened province immdeiatelly if you hold them in reserve with their transports. I like parking them in Berlin - perfectly situated to go to N Africa, Scandinavia, Russia, France.. wherever needed.

Can you reach Nafrica from Berlin in one go? I guess you research better transports then.

Makes the whole para thing even more expensive.

 

[unmerged(14079)]

Transport capacity

I didn't know improved transports can carry more than one division of paras!

Can somebody confirm this is the case, and what is the capacity for improved, advanced, etc?

Thanks.

 

[unmerged(17248)]

The most I've ever had was 12 and I regretted it the whole game - 3 is the usual amout that I build & am comfortable with.

Jono

 

[Patriotes1837]

Since 1.06 there is a huge movement penalty, when attacking a province. After achieving a breakthrough with my mechanized forces, I like to grab the next province on the way with paratroopers, if its not occupied. That way my mechanized forces move even faster and get the defensive bonus, when the enemy forces try to close the gap.

I must say I find this strategy interesting... never thought of that before. I'll try next time I play Germany.

 

[unmerged(15561)]

Currently playing historically (to a degree) GERMANY. I refuse to get MA through Sweden or Finland, only build limited NAV groups 1x3 1x4 NAVs and 1 MR fgt each. Dont engage the RN with Kreigsmarine.

The only way Ive found to take Norway is load up ships 2x6 with ARM/MARs 2x3 groups of each, then fly them to the province next to Oslo and land them seizing the port. As there is no beach there, there is no garrison. DOW the Norwegians after the paras land in the province....yes try it and see... and then land the ships full of troops at the port, setup supply and wham.

Doing it the normal way, standard amphi assault from Denmark means that as soon as you DOW, the ships offloading troops will have to deal with the combined RN and French Fleets!

Yes its an exploit, but I only use 4 single div para corps to seize strategic positions, none of this use then to encircle and crush regular infantry.

So the answer is no, use small amounts of paras. Interesting idea to have a SF only (or mainly) outfitted army though.

 

[Braedonnal]

Only if there is not a land connection to your capital.

Drop into a low infra area in Russia and land connection to your capital or not you still lose strength. I drop and immediately SR out and use tac air to obliterate anyone trying to sneak into my newly taken province.

I used to have about 12 div of paras but these days I only use around 3 or so. Too much IC, imo, but they are handy.

 

[ltccone]

Don't paras still suffer from the low infra in the province? Do you have to get them to move out of the province right away?

Yes they do. You can always put them in strategic redeployment as soon as they land.

 

[unmerged(15723)]

I didn't know improved transports can carry more than one division of paras!

Can somebody confirm this is the case, and what is the capacity for improved, advanced, etc?

Good question. Anyone knows?

2Coats, you can paradrop before dowing?