I'm not sure if you have changed your view after this post, so I'll reply to it in order to clarify things...
If it has not been carried at some MF cost, then it has not been portaged. That is the definition of Portage.
As Bret wrote, if your interpretation was correct, then a SMC could never recover a SW of > 2 PP#. The SMC can, but not expend any MF while possessing it, because only the latter would mean portage.
It just gets so much simpler if you realize the actual definition of portage:
Possessing a SW while expending MF.
When there's no intention to move while possessing the SW, there is no reason to calculate the effects of moving it either.
But unless you intend to move, there is no reason to do the calculation, and if you consider moving but decides not to do it, the portage cost is still not assessed.
I really don't understand what you're saying here, so I'll just repeat that a SW is only portaged if MF are expended while possessing it.
But you are overlooking the actual definition of Portage: "A SW may not move by itself; it must be carried or placed on a vehicle by Infantry/Cavalry at some cost to the latter’s MF allotment.".
If it has not been carried at some MF cost, then it has not been portaged. That is the definition of Portage.
As Bret wrote, if your interpretation was correct, then a SMC could never recover a SW of > 2 PP#. The SMC can, but not expend any MF while possessing it, because only the latter would mean portage.
It just gets so much simpler if you realize the actual definition of portage:
Possessing a SW while expending MF.
