User:Gog the Mild/sandbox5


 * Crete

The German airborne forces utilised assault gliders, the DFS 230, which could carry a load of 2800 lb or nine soldiers and their weapons. They could glide up to fifty miles after release and land very close to a target. Fifty-three in total were used in the attack on Crete. Paratroopers were carried and gliders towed by the reliable tri-motored Junkers Ju 52. Each plane could tow one glider or carry thirteen paratroopers. In the latter case their weapons containers were carried in the planes' external bomb racks.