The volks and sturms would be in similar roles of CQC units. If you continuously have to charge your opponet and drop models then your opponet retreats away before you can drop his you just bleed manpower for nothing. It's one of the reasons shocks are bad right now.
Volks would share a role when upgraded with full SMGs to Sturms, but like I said this would allow for Sturms to be able to function in one of their other roles: minelaying/sweeping, repairing, using panzerschrecks (still dislike sturmschrecks), and using flamethrowers from the one commander. And still, as a CQC unit, sturms are extremely expensive and fragile.
Also, I am in no way advocating that people just charge opponents with SMG units. An volk squad upgraded with SMGs would probably want to flank or use sight/shot blockers to close, just like any CQC unit.
And finally, shocks have a lot of reasons why they may be considered bad. Their SMGs are not one of them by a long shot. But for this topic, the biggest issue for shocks is a complete lack of AT, just like assault grens, (and Obers for that matter.) Volks have panzerfausts. That's huge.
If the map is CQC volks and grens become more or less overrun by allied higher DPS squads at close range. If the map is long range, 2x bren tommies still do well and 2x BARs rifles still are potent at range. Cons are just garbage and that's a con problem. The issue with turning them into a primary smg squad would be if they did they'd be similar to shocks where your opponet would retreat once they got in range to be effective with dropping a model or 2.
Like I said earlier, I feel like the usage of shocks you're referencing is not an effective method. The idea here is that SMG volks would be a strategic upgrade to give OKW a flanker that isn't expensive and burdened with also being the sole source of mobile AT, repairs, and mines. It would not be an all around buff for volks like the StGs currently are. It is not intended for people to upgrade all their volks and move them as a blob towards enemy units as is currently possible.
The idea would be OKW players could upgrade a volks to SMGs so that their Sturms can stop being a CQC unit to get a panzerschreck. Or, they would get SMGs after they've got Obers on the field or are using doctrinal units.
It's entirely map dependant as well, if it's a long range map you wouldn't get smgs because you'd have to charge through open ground continuously and bleed.
:|
Although I do admit, you are indirectly highlighting the lack of smoke that OKW has.
Then you're stuck with 5 kar98 volks going up against 2x bren tommies and 2x BAR rifles. That's where you'd get obliterated. Obviously you can change how rifles and tommies work as well but this would be a rather far off issue, plus scope.
Yes, you would be stuck with kar98k volks against fully teched allied infantry. However, x2 BARs and x2 Brens are actually at a disadvantage to a full SMG squad if they're able to get an ambush on them. Way more than they are currently against StG and Kar98k volks that are able to do so.
And if you have to rely on JLI and fussiliers as callin long range squads you solidify meta commander selections.
Keyword is 'rely' here. Relying on doctrinal infantry is not what I am suggesting. A full SMG conversion package with the StGs would foster more diversity within the stock faction as well give them an upgrade that would support the multitude of doctrinal infantry that they currently overlap with. (Mostly panzerfusiliers, but the others as well.)