Ehm nope, axis have lot of arty too. If we compare soviet plane strike and arty strikes with OST planes and arty strikes. We will see that OST have more amount good abilities then soviets. About smoke, only rifles have smoke nades and shocks, because without smoke they are useless against mgs. Also, of course axis need to controls thier mgs, but we are talking about crew survivability and 50 cal is worse in this way then mg42 or mg34 crew.
OKW has some of the most expensive and least effective arty in the game. Ost has some good plane strikes, but they are expensive for a Munitions starved faction(sans CAS).
Soviets have the best mortar in the game and the 2 best Howitzers. USF has the only mobile Howitzer, and some of the most powerful artillery strikes in the game.
All of this is getting off-topic though. Soviets deal with blobs with Maxim supported by ML20, B4, 120mm mortar, or 82mm Mortar. Drop that shit right on those Volk/Ober/Fusilier blobs and watch the MP bleed. USF 50cal can slow them down and allow your LMG/Bar/FT Riflemen to lay the hurt on them. In addition the Mortar HT isn't incredible, but isn't not too bad either, getting one can help out.
Both Allied factions also have access to Demo Charges, which Axis do not. Just learn to bait and PUSH THAT PLUNGER!