knp7765 and Others,
@Tall:
Paratroop Drops(combat) of ONE unit can be made up to two zones behind enemy lines(dependant on aircraft range) and must START from an Airbase but not necesarily end at one.
As you can see from my previous statement, dependant on aircraft range is a necessary part of this equasion.
If a Transport aircraft(C-46, C-47) has a range of 4 spaces(or 5 since it’s starting from an airbase) then it must have the capability of landing somewhere in NCM after moving 5 spaces. So with this scenario as an example:
Yes, EACH Transport starting at an airfield in France(Paris) could Paratroop ONE Paratrooper to Greater Southern Germany and return.
If there is an A/A gun in G.S.G. it would shoot as normal, but no other A/A guns on the route would be allowed to shoot, just as in a Strategic Bombing Raid.
If their were enemy Fighters in G.S.G. they would be allowed to “scramble” to intercept. The attacking Transport(s) can be “escorted” by friendly Fighters to counter this.
As far as going all the way to Slovakia I can’t answer that one because I don’t know whether there is a place for the Transport(s) to land after moving only 5 spaces.
As in real Life, a Paratroop Drop is best accomplished when aimed at an undefended location and in co-ordination with other forces. Paratroopers, although strong “shock troops”, have no heavy supporting weapons or source of re-supply as they’re usually surrounded. This is the main reason for co-ordinating with other forces.
The reason to “go to the trouble” of having a Transport plane capable of paradropping ONE Paratrooper is to give you the flexibility of “vertical envelopement”. It also follows that it would be best to use more than one Transport/Paratrooper in your drops. The thing is, all of your Transports/Paratroops don’t have to start at the same airfield! It would add to the “shock” of the attack if you were able to launch an Paratroop attack originating from several different airfields and in co-ordination with other “standard” forces. Think about it. Generally speaking, ParaTroopers didn’t usually attack by themselves, and routinely were used in large numbers, along with other forces.
IMHO the rules that I.L. has developed with much discussion from others are the best solution to Paratroop Drops and/or Air Transport.
“Tall Paul”
What do YA’LL Think?