Soviet tanker/SMG integration

[Liebchen]

In the site linked to on the Hist MB, an interview with a Russian tanker, he refers to the SMG-armed infantrymen in a Tank Brigade ('43 on) being in constant contact with the tanks. It's not the first time I've seen this.

- How did you co-operate with the infantry during combat?

During combat they sat on the tanks until the firing started. As soon as the Germans opened fire on our tanks, they jumped off and ran behind the tanks, frequently protected by its armor from enemy light machine gun fire.

- If it happened that the tanks were limited in maneuver and speed, did you maneuver your infantry or halt them?

Nothing like that. We did not pay any attention to them. We maneuvered and they maneuvered themselves behind us.

In the PC system, however, the infantry always seem to be kept apart as a distinct battalion, rather than integrated with the tanks. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

I realize that the game engine counts humans or vehicles, but not combos or hybrids. What if the infantry battalions were to be broken down, and the companies allowed to hitch a ride with the tank battalions, so long as their soldier/vehicle ratio matched appropriately? Would this be terribly difficult to implement?