There is a HUGE point in having them move, and only two points in not having them move.
Let's start with the two points in not having them move; lazy, and don't know how. Good enough?
Good...
Why your boats should move:
You are simulating a real event in a real place at a real time. That being the case, you should attempt to recreate, not only the look of the place, but also the feel, the atmosphere, the ambiance. Starting your offensive players in a few stagnant boxes out in the water may work, but imagine spawning the offensive in a transport ship that actually approaches the shore and has the door swing down releasing everyone inside to move forward and attack the beach head. Imagine your approaching ship being pelted by long range fire from high up on the hill. A few men go down as the door opens and the troops come running out. Bodies laying everywhere, you make it to the first line of cover, look around to see who made it, and initiate your final offensive for the flag. To me, making the boats move, and moreover, making the door operate to release the troops once at the shore, is crucial to making the experience.
Making it work:
In Normandy the allied troops greatly outnumbered the German defensive forces. This won't be the case in your map. In Normandy allied forces had one path, all be it a very wide and steep one. Your map shouldn't have one path.
You may consider making a main central up hill battle area in the middle. On either side would be a set of mountains that contain seaside caves with tunnels leading up to the top without having to run the gauntlet up hill. Timing is everything. Make the tunnels too easy and fast and everyone will use them. You have to make a balance between the two. Go the tunnel route and not be under constant fire, but the route is slower and more bottlenecked at the end and susceptible to "lining" (god I hate that stupid word), or go straight up the middle under a more open constant fire, but be able to reach the flag much faster.
You must also carefully plan where you want to place the defensive line. If you allow the defense to get too close to the beach the offense will never make it off the boats. You may also consider giving the defense the lowest guns, but very large ammo and co2. And give the offensive very high guns, but low ammo and co2. See where I'm getting at here? Defensive forces have worse weapons, but their stockpiles are good. Offensive forces are coming off of transports and not able to carry unlimited supplies. Put some supplies in key, risky, areas on the beach so they can replenish from their fallen comrades.
Good luck with this.
Don't be slack, if you're going to do it go all out and do it right.
If done correctly this could be a nice map.
I also have plans, well let me rephrase that, I have started and failed several time, but still plan to succeed, in making an air siege map where the offensive force air drops out of a plane onto or close by the base to be attacked. One day maybe!
