The OKW doesn't have any scout units or other capabilities to scout (no sniper/222/T-70/M-20 and the stuka smoke strafe isn't a proper reco). The IR-HT got nerfed which was needed but is still a big impact on a core unit of the OKW, if you see more flares it is because that's the only remaining option for the OKW and the whole axis side.
Those flares are critical for the OKW and that's why they are criticizes. To counter the arty dominance of the Allies, flares are needed. To use properly the panzerwerfer, you need those flares. Both axis rocket arty are "precise strike" and not "wiping area machine".
Plus most of the "meta" Ostheer commander doesn't have reco plane, nerfing flares will just make the need of Elephant+Scope even more present.
So instead of crying out an OP ability which lasted for a decade (exactly like the T-70 is to the SU) and which is part of every teamgames tactics, try to give them first other viable options and see if it remain a must-have ability.
I can partially agree, but I'd still like to point out a few things:
1. The Stuka and Panzerwerfer are regularly played even if the commanders to not own a recon loiter or pass/flares.
2. If we neglect doctrinal recon then UKF and USF were also in quite a bad spot. They have a recon pass on one single unit, but none of these factions has non-doc heavy artillery which makes it less problematic
If you count the T70, you should not forget that OKW also gets the Puma as a recon unit though. I agree that Axis overall (mostly due to SOVs plentiful stock recon options though) lack a bit of recon. However, arguing with Axis' more precise rocket artillery twists it the wrong way. If Axis already have the ability to concentrate that much damage on a small area and thereby can wipe squads more easily, it should be more challenging to prepare these strikes. The OKW flare just makes it too easy.