The company list for the German paratroopers states that air-dropped forces can only use AT rifles, and nothing heavier.
However, no AT rifles are included in the list.
Should this be interpreted as:
a) AT rifles can be added - perhaps 1 per platoon - to the lists?
b) "AT rifles" here includes Panzerschrecks, as per the lists?
c) Panzerfausts can be used by air-dropped forces from 1943 onwards [perhaps as well as (a) and or (b) above]?
d) something else?
e) no idea - I was never any good at multi-choice questions?
I'd welcome thoughts, please. And, even more, an official ruling!
They did not do any major airborne operations after Crete 1941. Hitler was upset by the losses.
German paras were a bit unusual, in that dropped with a pistol only. then had to find their weapon canisters.
The better AT weapons were introduced after drop operations stopped.
They can use the appropriate infantry army lists after that date.
In the late war the paras were in no way elite .
Sorry if i have just re-stated what you already know.
Thank you for this Martin - it has helped me join up the dots.
So, for Crete, I believe that the para infantry thus get no "organic" antitank capability (since the Panzerfaust and Panzerschreck had both yet to be invented, and PP's sculptor hasn't given them an AT rifle), but could field air-dropped 75mm LG 40 recoilless rifles (or the PP 105mm at a pinch, if you don't squint too carefully) as well as the odd (presumably sea-landed) Marder self-propelled gun?
Yet another range I must get back to. At present i am doing the VC.
Martin - thank you, but please don't take this as any arm-twisting on my part to do more sculpts - that wasn't the intention. And I know you have plenty on your plate already.
However... ...if you are planning to redo the German paras at some point, and if Miles and I get a Crete PBI Day off the ground for 2021, that could be a great opportunity to showcase some new sculpts.
Suggestions to expand the range could include adding in an MG34 on tripod mount, for Crete, as well as AT rifles; maybe a few more rifle / SMG poses, and perhaps some pistol-armed chaps hunting for those precious containers..? And some blokes lobbing grenades, and another command pack. :)