1961.

177 Free Cuban Paratroopers are on board C-46s ready to jump into blocking positions--in broad daylight---to support the faltering sea landings below...

The Green light goes on!

In seconds Cuban Paratroops are on the ground fighting for freedom against overwhelming odds...

The question is why only 177 Paratroopers?

The failure of the Cuban invasion at the Bay of Pigs in 1961 was NOT due to the failure to gain Air supremacy from the Cuban Air Force but the slow build up of combat power endemic to the use of SHIPS. If you study the battle closely you will see the use of ships to deliver WWII-style mass stockpiles of ammunition was a handicap and not a help because the ships ended up being firepower magnrets and targets for the Cuban Air Force. Better a little supply in hand to fight than a lot that can't reach you.

The U.S. marine corps advised Bay of Pigs failure is a warning to us all of the fallacy of relying on slow to be delivered ship supplies while a fight is in progress.

Examine the map of the Bay of Pigs area.

Notice that a 4,190 foot runway was right behind the beach areas!

THINK ABOUT IT!

Why didn't we drop Paratroopers to set up road block positions and mark the landing strip with lights and then FLY IN and AIRLAND the main invasion force by C-46s, all done at NIGHT so the Cuban Air force couldn't even think of interfering?

As the C-46s and C-47s landed, they could have off-loaded 4x4 jeeps with 106mm Recoilless Rifles and mines to destroy Cuban tanks. They could have off-loaded 20mm anti-aircraft guns to shoot down Cuban air Force T-33s and B-26s that tried to strafe the Brigade.

Once a toe hold was secured, the JFK shenanigans over whether to authorize a strike or not strike the Communist Cuban Air Force on the ground would be moot. Air resupply (Airdrop or airland)could take place at night regardless whether the Cuban T-33s were not downed by gunfire or not. THEN---bring in ships to resupply the force.

The Cuban Brigade could then use its own B-26s operating safely in nearby Nicargua to take out the Cuban Communist tanks/artillery, securing their AIR and sea lines of resupply.