They are always compared with cheaper infantry, for obvious reasons.
In this topic they're not compared to cheap infantry at all: The op simply shows the ridiculous amount of stayingpower they have even versus a crazy amount of firepower. I don't give a fuck whether they're expensive, pure AI and doctrinal: they're simply WAY too strong for a unit u can call in at 1cp for 440 mp.
In the hands of any semi-decent player that uses his cons to scout for MG42's, and then flanks accordingly with his Shocks they're very much op when they come into play this early.
Good to see you know how the game is balanced by the way. Hows life at Relic studios?