Airborne (Fallschirmjager) Doctrine

[AngrySwan]

The great Russian general Alexander Suvorov once said, ''While the enemy thinks tou are far away you suddenly fall on his head and win.'' He did not mean it literally. The Fallschirmjagers do.

These special forces are rare on the battlefield, there is nothing for the,m to do in ordinary battles. They take objectives too far for others to reach. That means the operation must be carefully planned. The perfect time is good weather so the target can be attacked by bombers before the Fallschirmjagers take it.

Immediately after the objective has been taken, friendly troops take over the area because the Fallschirmjagers cannot hold the position alone if the enemy recovers from surprise.

Example - Right use or paratroops

A bridge near Byalistok is guarded by an enemy battalion. It must be taken and secured on the first day.

Resources: A fallschirmjager battalion and a group of Bf 109s.

Plan: The Bf 109s attack the enemy bridge guards while the Fallschirmjagers are dropped from Ju52 transport planes. The Fallschirmjagers attack the enemy destroying them. After that a panzer division lead by a recon battalion secures the bridge. (Since there are few troops in this sector the Fallschirmjagers help the infantry to destroy an antitank position in the area, although it is not their primary objective.)

Example - Wrong use of paratroops

18th army advances into Estonia. The Soviets drop their paratroops in the area (why? hoping to attack German artillery on the move?) Without battlefield intel and support the unfortunate Soviet paratroopers do not last long. Stalin could not be blamed for shooting this decision maker.

Example - Waste

In Kischinau area the Soviets use paratroops as line infantry (as if they did not have enough men?) This is an extreme decision and can be justified only in absolutely desperate situations, which the Soviets did not have.