Has anyone else read "Victory was Beyond their Grasp"?
A VERY good history of a VGD in '44/'45.
The large number of uneducated responses to this thread indicates that many players have limited knowledge of the composition of a volksgrenadier division, the types of individual weapons that they were issued and of their record of performance in action. The fact is a great many soldiers in VG divisions were armed with MP44s. The 5-4-8 is not an appropriate squad to represent a VG squad. Despite cadres of experienced NCOs and other ranks, VG units were characterized by a low level of esprit de corps stemming from hastily organized units that had little training above individual and squad level which resulted poor unit cohesion, limited coordination of tactical effort above company level, and a general lack of zeal when incontact with the enemy in anything but a defensive role.
The proposed 5-4-7 (with spray fire and possibly, assault fire capabilities) is a good representation of this type of unit. A broken side morale of 6 is also a very good idea that should be considered. ELR 2 will be most common, with ELR 3 representing the very best VG unit. As for the unit replacement, going to 4-4-7 is a natural down grade, but the drop from 5-4-7 to 4-3-6 is also intriguing.
I find it interesting that many nay-sayers regarding this proposed squad are also the same players who clammer for more new counters to be introduced into the ASL system and quickly chime in with accolades for other publishers who have introduced the myiad of counters that are in reality just overpriced novelties with excessive chrome, lavish tail fins, and gaudy hood ornaments.
I have no real interest in producing the 5-4-7 myself and for the most part, I do not see the need for many new counters to be introduced into the ASL system. But from the position of an experienced scenario designer, I find the German counter mix lacking in its ability to effectively portray the VG squad with anything other than a 4-4-7 with assault fire or a 4-3-6.
If you are an ASL player who has not read
Victory was Beyond their Grasp, you should turn in your ASL gear and go back to playing Panzerblitz.