Doc Al said:
The Russian soldiers were able to survive the fall through a combination of factors, including the height of the drop, the type of terrain they landed on, and their training and physical fitness levels. Some soldiers may have also used improvised parachutes made from their clothing or equipment.
This tactic, known as "mass airborne assault," was used by the Soviet Union during World War II as a surprise attack on enemy positions. It was believed that the element of surprise and the confusion caused by a large number of soldiers dropping from the sky would give the Soviet troops an advantage in battle.
No, not all of the soldiers survived the fall. It is estimated that around 15-20% of the soldiers dropped without parachutes were killed or seriously injured upon impact. However, it is important to note that this tactic was only used in certain situations and not as a standard military practice.
Yes, precautions were taken to minimize the risk of injury or death to the soldiers. The soldiers were often dropped at low altitudes, no more than 100-150 meters, and onto soft ground such as snow or marshland. Additionally, soldiers were trained in specific techniques for landing and absorbing the impact of the fall.
The effectiveness of this tactic is debatable. While it did surprise and confuse enemy forces, it also resulted in a high number of casualties. It was used sparingly throughout the war and was eventually phased out as other tactics proved to be more effective.