I know I should know this

[loki100]

Can someone remind me what the secret set of instructions are to actually make a paratroop drop? I used to know but have totally forgotten and can't get it to happen

many thanks

[Mehring]

It's still pretty much as in (updated) manual IIRC, but it doesn't always work and won't at all if there's an enemy unit in the drop hex or the para unit is below a certain morale.

[loki100]

ORIGINAL: Mehring

It's still pretty much as in (updated) manual IIRC, but it doesn't always work and won't at all if there's an enemy unit in the drop hex or the para unit is below a certain morale.

I'm sorry but if I could work out what the (updated) manual says to do then I wouldn't be asking [;)]

Now the manual says:

16.3.6. Air Dropping Units
The air drop mission will be conducted only by transport air group units with aircraft that have a maximum load rating (5.4.18) of at least 2000. The mission can be escorted by fighter air group units.
Regimental or brigade sized Airborne type combat units with an average experience level of at least forty can be air dropped into any hex vacant of enemy units within range of the transporting aircraft. The eligible airborne combat unit must have at least one movement point remaining and be located in the same hex as an air base unit, which will be used as the staging base. Any air base unit can be used as a staging base. Note that since only regimental or brigade sized airborne combat units can be air dropped, air dropped units will only convert the hex they drop in from enemy controlled to a pending friendly hex (6.3).
When an airborne unit is airdropped, those ground elements that are not allowed to be air dropped will be transferred into units in or adjacent to the hex with the air base unit that the unit flew from. These ground elements will first be given to other airborne units, then to any other combat unit. If there are no eligible combat units, then the ground elements will be transferred back to the production pool. Any vehicles and excess supply will be transferred to the airbase unit that the airborne unit was stacked with prior to being air dropped.
Enemy interception of air drop missions can result in the damage or elimination of the airborne unit's ground elements. Aircraft conducting the air drop mission that are aborted will return the ground elements they are carrying to the staging air base unit where they will be transferred per the above procedure.

which is very nice to read but all I can get to happen, regardless of target is air transport. To test I've set up a scenario where I know there are only 2 German units in the area (to maintain a front line)

[Mehring]

The layout's a but jumbled and confusing, you got the wrong section. You need 5.3.9.3 which is p56 in mine.