During the early days of World War II, paratroopers were critical to the implementation of the German doctrine of blitzkrieg, seeing action during Germany's 1940 invasion of the Low Countries-France, Belgium and the Netherlands. They performed duties such as capturing ports and destroying fortifications, most notably Fort Eben Emael in Belgium.
However, this would end with Hitler's invasion of Greece. The Allies and Greeks had holed themselves up on the island of Crete. Hitler sent paratroopers in to seize the island. They succeeded, but at a bloody cost to the paratroopers. With this in mind and the belief that the paratroopers no longer held the element of surprise, Hitler retired the use of paratroopers.
But what if Hitler maintained the use of paratroopers during the war?