Dealing with Russian SMG troops in CMBB

[JasonC]

It is actually the 7 man mech version of the SMG squads that are most common and convenient. The 9 man variety only comes in whole companies and 9 SMGs is overkill anyway. The 7 man mech version gives you 25 SMG men for only 77 points. There are German counters but most of them cost 3-4 times as much, and can't go the distance against that kind of cheap.

Here are the solutions that actually work. First, understand there are two ways you run across SMGs, up and back positions. Up means they have LOS into open ahead of the terrain they are defending, and even with 80m arcs can deny you some pieces of terrain or movement routes you'd like to use - in addition to the location they are sitting on. Back means so deep in the woods you basically can't see them from outside, or behind a crest, on in the backside of buildings. The intent being to force the engagement to take place at 40 meter range or less.

Counters to Up SMGs -

Pz II Flamm - just drive right up to them buttoned.
SPW 251/2 and +command HQ - one minute of fire each, then an MG takes over to maintain the pin. SPW is in defilade, HQ is out of SMG range.
150mm sIG - enough said
2 HMG 42s at 150 meter ranges - just contain them and hose one or two at the front, as needed.

Those all cost less than the SMGs themselves, and will neutralize or contain them, or drive them to back positions to avoid lopsided loss.

Other counters that cost more, but managably so -

1 StuH - enough said
Panzer Grenadier platoon plus 2 HMGs at 125 meters - will break them if they stay in up positions, but concentrate the fire and be fast. Your ammo depth isn't great. Hit for one minute with the whole platoon, then leave an MG on that one and shift to the next.
105mm FO, half a module - works on woods. Don't use the whole thing or they win the exchange on points

Those tactics will drive them into back positions. Once you have driven them into back positions, here is how you deal with them.

You don't. Laugh and them and go take the rest of the map. Leave an MG or MG-armed light armored vehicle covering open routes out of their lair, and then flat ignore them. I don't care if they are on a flag. Go kill the rest of the Russian force.

Simple.