Panzergrenadiers

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In Team Yankee

Panzergrenadiers:Panzers which throw grenades.

The modern Panzergrenadier Zug (Armoured Infantry Platoon) is a small but well-trained, motivated, and equipped, unit armed with MG3 machine-guns, G3 battle rifles, as well as the Panzerfaust 44 anti-tank rocket. Unlike the US mechanized infantry, their role is to SUPPORT the armor, rather than exclusively closing with and destroy the enemy. This is reflected in their unit size; notably smaller than their British and US counterparts. The loadout of Milans and Panzerfausts puts them in a strange role; with half the unit only usable at range while the other half need to close with the enemy to use their weapons to good effect.

The Panzerfaust is an oddly statted weapon as well; inferior to the Carl Gustav yet marginally superior to the LAW. With an AT in the middle ground of 15, it will automatically penetrate most vehicles from the front; apart from tanks forcing a bail unless you manage to kill it on a 5+. However, most tanks would comfortably survive side shots (BDD armor boosts sides to 13; meaning that your grenadiers will have to rely on Milans to take them out while the rifle teams take out infantry; which is something they do VERY well! With the range of British infantry and the 5+ firepower of US riflemen (presumably, the MG3 has firepower equivalent to a barrage of grenades).

Marder panzergrenadier platoons are sized at 2 riflemen, 1 Milan, and 2 Marders or 3 bases of riflemen, 2 Milans, and 3 Marders, so do not rely on them to do anything in particular apart from holding objectives. Rather, their versatile (if odd) loadout means that they can perform any role as needed, if not optimally. They cost 4 and 7 points respectively.

M113 panzergrenadier platoons get 2 or 3 teams of riflemen and Milans each, costing 4 and 7 points respectively, with an M113 for each full squad. While suffering from the same fundamental problems as Marder-grenadiers, the additional Milan does mean that the platoon has more staying power on the defensive.

Effectively, you are choosing between Marders or M113s and an additional Milan team. While extremely similar in their profiles, the Marder is far more comfortable destroying vehicles with its AT7 autocannon, or infantry in the open with a 7.62mm machine gun (the same MG3 as the infantry, IRL). A higher dash speed means that Marders could thrust forward through gaps in your opponent's lines and wreak havoc on rear-echelon forces like a miniature blitzkrieg. Conversely, the M113 would be a superior option if you use your transports to engage infantry and vehicle targets of opportunity, arguably the safer but more competitive choice due to the vulnerability of APCs and IFVs favoring infantry.

As with all other German units, they boast 3+ skill meaning that you should be using orders regularly to make use of their advantages. 3+ morale allows them to comfortably stay in the fight, even after being hit with artillery which is especially nice for your Milan teams!

IRL

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