Best Use of Brandenberg Units?

[General Staff]

With the historical option chosen, I dropped mine to seize the bridge at Shestakov (73,39). I didn't drop it on any of the bridges within the '*' zone because I didn't want to activate Don Front units earlier than I was ready to allow them. And at least the unit lives to fly, drop and maybe fight another day...

Looking back maybe best use would have been to hinder the 13th Mechanized Corps from getting into dug in positions behind the Myshkova River- say drop on 75,35. As it turned out they proved hard to dig out and are about the only formation that can get in the way on turns 3-4 given it's fairly easy to take out/disrupt others in the area.

But does anyone have any alternative suggestions for this unit? On Turn 2 and later turns? Thoughts appreciated.

[nemo]

I am about to begin turn 5 playing historical also and I still have not used this unit. As long as I feel the linkup can be made by regular troops, I will hold in in reserve for later turns to seize a key location or disrupt supply distribution in the soviet rear. But I am hardly a Fallschirm-expert :o ...

[Bruce]

I used them to drop on the bridge - the unit got split into three by the Soviet attacks and two thirds got destroyed - I'm moving the remaining third back to an airfield.

The unit isn't particularly strong and shouldn't really be used where it is going to run into front-line troops - I wish I had kept it in reserve.

I suppose one use would be to blow bridges in the enemies rear, although using it this way would mean that it would be eventually destroyed.

[General Staff]

I suppose one use would be to blow bridges in the enemy's rear, although using it this way would mean that it would be eventually destroyed.Not necessarily. If it can make it to an (empty) airfield it can be flown out the next turn...

[General Staff]

One other option is to use them to gain surrounds (either physically or to deny supply) and I also considered this on turn 2. But it just didn't prove necessary.

[RavenStrike]

I used mine to drop on the bridge and blow it. It was a wasted effort as my ground troops got to the bridge that turn anyway. Now it's taken 3-4 turns to move them back to an airport for reuse. I'm going to use them to drop on key bridges and blow them. The air support we have is just not capable of blowing bridges over super rivers.

[General Staff]

The air support we have is just not capable of blowing bridges over super rivers.Agreed, but problem is Soviets have good engineering capability here...

[MikeJ]

There aren't too many strategic uses... there's enough bridging and engineering capability on both sides that the super rivers don't pose much of a threat.

I'm using mine tactically mainly. On turn 2 my opponent crossed the bridge south of Kalach (where the Rumanians and MPs held a bridgehead across the river at scenario start). I had recon on the bridge hex and it was clear, so I attacked the Soviet division first and when it was clear I would probably be able to retreat it before the turn was over I dropped the Bradenburgers on the bridge, blowing it then digging them in. They were split and retreated next turn, but back into my lines so I saved them to fight another day.

I'm also considering using them to landon supply points (there are so many) in some places, but only in conjunction with an offensive.