This kind of post makes LMG Paras sound really good, legit.
As unit both lmg and thompson paras are great unit, one of best that USF is be able to field in WBP. The problem is their rather bad doctrine compared to payed commaders like OPershing or CalliOP.
At least double lmg rifles will exting, giving room to this unit.
You do realize Grenadiers and Obers don't come with upgraded weapons by default, right...?
And that you don't design units based on their upgrades?
In their default, zero vet, unupgraded states, 4-man squads such as Grenadiers have NO CHANCE against 5-man and 6-man squads, especially USF Riflemen. They lose a quarter of their DPS immediately upon engaging due to losing a model instantly, and that in turn also makes them that much easier to wipe right off the bat with direct fire (this isn't about explosive damage).
Four model squads simply aren't viable. It's an inherent, baked-in disadvantage, and a huge one at that.
Grens-cons match up is equad. Both have thier ranges where they can win. USF rifles cost more than grens so they must be better. But they are only better at close-mid range, giving OST advantage at long range in cover.
In early game when you have non lmg grens then there are mostly no explosives they can fear. OST has HMG to counter riflemen, grens are support squad. The same apply against UKf, except you change hmg for sniper.
Later on, once grens hit vet3 (and they hit it quite fast because they are figting more valuable targets), they will stat beating rifles, as long as you keep numbers and range advantage.
Btw who is playing with unupgraded obers ?