Because these MG cost 360 manpower if I remember correctly. That's 120 more then Maxim and MG42. That's why they should be better. You deal with them as you normally would with any kind of MG.
This commander does remove the reason to build T2. You are correct. I believe this was the idea behind design.
You can use mineseeper against mines rendering them completely useless and loss of ammunition.
The problem is its ultra early availability. You can just go camp the enemy's cutoff straight away (Kholodny, Semois, Kharkov, Langreskaya).
The only early counter is the mortar, which forces you to sacrifice map control. Riflenades, Halftracks etc. require teching thus not being available early enough.
Does anyone know if they have the same crewstats and weapon health as the maxim?