I’d have thought they would have made the squads more representative of historical doctrines to give everyone a bit more of a feel for the unique national approach chosen by each of the combating sides.
For example:
The Soviets used 11 man, the Germans 10, the British 9 man, the US 12 man squads.
So these could represent the current infantry squad which has a generic 9, but it could be historically expanded and have appropriate roles that fulfill some of the functional effects in game.
This would slightly change the unlocks in the sense that you would be unlocking both a role eg MG or Assault as well as the specialist unit later on as per the Campaign progression. Individual role unlocks should be available within a given squad exactly as they are now, but they could change them to be doctrinal, which would be quite immersive in its own right.
The only change this would require is that respawns are now built by Squad leaders not Engineers, so the Squad leader would now be the Assault role.
If I use the Germans as an example since I have the K.St.N 13e from 1/2/1941 open, a typical squad would have 1 GruppenFuhrer w MP40, 7 Schutze with K98, 1 MG Schutze with MG34/pistol and an ammo assistant with Pistol. This opens up the opportunity for the devs to slave the loader to the MG and when both men are alive the MG can operate belt fed when static - 250rd belt. When moving you use the 50 rd magazine as per current game set up.
The MG squad could now become a heavy MG Team and have 1 GruppenFuhrer w MP40, 1 MG Schutze and 3 assistants. Esp now that you have the MG34 lafette in game, so rather than the Engineer building it, the HMG team runs with pistols, and when in position uses the same mechanic as mortar team to deploy the lafette and the MG - could take 10 - 15 seconds to set it up for example. This removes the MG build from the Engineer. Once deployed the HMG can have 250 rounds per man (total of 1000rds), and would need to watch their barrel heat gauge as per the current tank MGs. To replen it you would need the Engineer ammo dump as per current game mechanics.
The FT squad could now become an FT Team and have 1 GruppenFuhrer w MP40, 2 Schutze with FT /pistols and 2 Schutze assistants with K98. The assistants should be slaved to the FT and be ready to pick up/change over the weapon if the no1 gets killed, and the FT doesn’t blow up.
The Sniper Squad could now become a Sniper team - Spotter with Gw 41/43 and Sniper with scoped K98.
The AT squad could now become an AT Team and have 1 GruppenFuhrer w MP40, 3 Schutze with Pzb-38/39 or Grb -39, 3 Schutze assistants with K98. The assistants should be slaved to the no 1 is killed, in Normandy once you unlock the PzSchreck, that team would have 1 GruppenFuhrer w MP40, 2 Schutze with PzSchrecks & Pistols, 2 Schutze assistants with K98 and extra ammo. To replen it you would need the Engineer ammo dump as per current game mechanics.
The Mor squad could now become a PL Mortar Team and have 1 GruppenFuhrer w MP40 and one 2 Schutze mortar, or stretch it into the 2 x Mortar Schutze currently in game. Noting that the game currently does not have the capability to create the visuals for a crew served weapon, but it would be cool - so if both soldiers were present you get double the shots you currently do, if only one mortarman is alive then you get what there is now. To replen it you would need the Engineer ammo dump as per current game mechanics.
The Radio Team could remain unchanged in size 5 and consist of 1 GruppenFuhrer w MP40, 1 2IC (could be armed with Gw 41) and 3 radio operators with K98 in their own Funkkraftwagen (Kfz15) - or the Kubelwagen will do since its already in game.
The Engineer detachment would remain as is 6 men, with 1 leader, 1 2IC, and 4 Pioneers.
In all cases the funky K98 equivalents like the Vz.24 can remain, particularly if you want to customise your leaders or the 2IC with them, although the rank and file should just get K98s.
