Carrier Rifle Sections

[Askari19]

A thought, regarding the ratings of these oddly armed or small-sized units. Dean Essig of the Gamers once made an excellent argument, in his 'Tactical Combat Series' boardgames, for the unusual mechanic in which the firepower of an infantry platoon (typically 5 steps of strength) did not diminish as steps were lost. A former inf platoon leader himself, he pointed out that the firepower of an infantry platoon is based (more so perhaps in the days before assault rifles & grenade launchers) upon its machineguns, typically 2 or 3 of the Browning, MG- 42, or such-like MMG's. As long as the guns are functioning the highest priority of the platoon is to keep them shooting, and if the crews take casualties, other men take over to 'feed the pig'. As long as those guns are firing the platoon's effective firepower does not diminish much, even as its numbers decline.

This does argue for a better attack strength for the carrier sections... but defense strength is another issue. That's where the small size of the unit really should give it less ability to absorb fire and remain in action.