[Marek_Tucan]

Originally Posted by Cross

I don't see much difference - in SP - wether the section are Light Infantry, Ghurkas, Calvalry, Engineers, PzGren, Ski Troops, Paras or Commando. The standard section should fight as a section in a 50M hex.

But Commandos are not "standard" infantry, right?

Sensible exceptions are made for scouts, snipers, AT teams, MGs etc. But these exceptions are 'support', and are consistant.

Why should Commando sections be the only ones split into fire teams and the disadvangtages - in SP - that incurs; and also have the disadvantage of only being able to purchase a 'platoon' (Troop) with tons of support baggage already attached?

A section with LMG and AT rifle is hardly a "support baggage" and you forget that more smaller units have also significant advantages, that tend to suit better special units than regular infantry - for example more tactical independence exercised by their members compared to regular infantry, here it would be simulated by fact the platoon has more elements that are able to maneuver independently. As the illustration of another extreme there is that Russian company of 10 tanks treated game-wise as a single platoon, simulating on the contrary significantly less tac independence of given army.

Surely Commando troops should be more flexible, not less flexible?

Again we must agree to disagree, I would say that also purchase-wise, having a Troop consist of two Sections, these consisting of a wider mix of units (LMG sections, rifle sections, engineer sections) lets you to fine-tune the composition better, ie is more flexible. You want a close-in work? You buy the "Rifle section" with satchel charges and SMGs. Want "long-range work"? You take that with rifles and a sniper rifle... etc. Besides by having "big squads", you encounter another bit of inflexibility called "4 weapon slots"

We must remember the scale of the game. Fire and movement is done on the platoon level in SP not the squad/section level.
So one whole section supports another as it moves forward.

Support units, especially MGs, can still be purchased and used for supression; just as you may with regular infantry.

Again, I would say that concenrs primarily "regular" units, special ones should be able to do more, not just be an expensive rifle squad that gets suppressed only marginally slower and dies just as easily as regular troops.
As for support MGs, they simply were not often available to commando ops (esp. in the beginning) and their place was taken up by Brens. Problem with simulating it in the SP if you have only big squads is ofcourse that you have to keep the entire squad back if you want to use it as a LMG covering the others and then it is only one squad, capable of suppressing 1-2 (if you are lucky) enemy positions.

I agree with you that smaller fire teams are more vulnerable/fragile in SP. And agree that there are some circumstancial exceptions to this.

The current SP Army Commando Troop is not historically accurate.

I guess my thought is that by transforming the basic Commando Troop to a more typical SP infantry platoon, you are making it more historical and a more effective fighting force. Currently, I wouldn't use a Commando Troop for anything other than a scenario build.
Seperate smaller support units would be available to 'add on' as the situation requires.

We should also remember that Commando Troops fought in the line alongside regular infantry. Their daring raids got all the press attention, but these units often had to fight like regular infantry on the front. But better equipped no doubt.

cheers,
Cross

And my thoughts are that if you transform the Cdo troop to a basic SP light inf platoon, then why have them at all? They should be exceptional, as they were IRL as well, compared to elite line infantry. They did things a different way. As there are Napoleonics being mentioned earlier, it would be like putting 95th Regiment of Foot (Rifles) into a battle line. Yes, they were often forced to fight that way, but their expertise and purpose was to form a skirmish screen and whereas any British Regiment can fight in line, only few would be able to go completely into skirmish line effectively, usually only Light companies were able to do so.

Anyway, seems we would have to "agree to disagree" on this topic