pacifichistorian
Banned
Broadly, I can't see how it's possible. "More effective" under certain conditions, yes. In swampy or forested terrain, say. Or in certain weather (Spring & Fall in SU, where roads are quagmires). They'd also be pretty useful in anti-guerrilla/partisan ops (can you say Afghanistan? Chechnya?). Give each man a variety of Simonov AR or AK-47 & Panzerfaust, preferably a good radio (even a priority on the few good ones SU produces), & attach more/less organic Il-2s for tacair. You might also add barding & body armor, similar to the AUS flak vests of WW2-era OTL. If you're willing to stretch the science a little, presuming this type of formation has some history TTL, you might try out quilted nylon armor (& accelerate development of Kevlar; I don't know enough of the chemistry to know if it was feasible in OTL '30s-'40s, tho). You might also want a "squad auto" MG like the MG34/42, or even the XM214 (a personal fave of mine).
I've a suspicion, if this kind of unit becomes remotely common, you'd get research into lightweight plastics for rifle furniture, small-caliber rounds, like the interwar AUS .276, & bullpups, all in the interest of adding firepower at lower weight. You might also see doctrine develop of co-operation with airborne (both light, relatively mobile), with airborne acting as a kind of "reserve"; certainly, the research into body armor & light ARs would benefit paras.
I've a suspicion, if this kind of unit becomes remotely common, you'd get research into lightweight plastics for rifle furniture, small-caliber rounds, like the interwar AUS .276, & bullpups, all in the interest of adding firepower at lower weight. You might also see doctrine develop of co-operation with airborne (both light, relatively mobile), with airborne acting as a kind of "reserve"; certainly, the research into body armor & light ARs would benefit paras.