WW2 saw the first usage of paratroopers by any nation. Britain had their SAS. Germany had their initial successes, bloodied their noses at Crete then swore the thing off and put the survivors into basically a light infantry role (in an effing desert!). Italy had their Paracadutisti units, which pretty much had the same fate as their German counterparts. And so on, with the US, Russian and Japanese airborne divisions.
As stated Germany and Italy basically used their paratoopers as elite light infantry after Crete. They were pretty good in that role, due to high standards and morale. But this is AH, so lets ask an interesting WI.
What if they (the Italian Folgore division, and early German units) were used for actual paratrooper operations? Errr, more importantly what places would be possible for this type of operation?
Perhaps the Folgore division could be dropped in during the Seige of Tobruk? Could airborne drops be performed on the Eastern front or during the invasion of Italy?
Logically they would be useful in counter partisan operations in the Balkans, but that seems a bit degrading.
Im predicting high casualties for the units during parachute operations, so its probably going to become a one time trick. Not to mention any changes in history are probably going to be pretty minor. Or might i be wrong on that point?
Yes i know this is a pretty large stretch in plausibility (i realize no one in real life is going to bother with a parachute drop when your desperate for infantry as it is). But just humor the idea okay?