What "old" penal squads? You mean the ones that performed basically the exact same way (or even worse if memory serves me right) for 90 manpower more? No thanks.
It's a really cool idea. I think it would be even better if it was similar to the Wargame series' desctruction mode where you start with limited resources and you earn more by destroying enemy units. That would be really cool if it was another mode separate from this Attrition mode, perhaps, since ideally it would run the length of a normal match in my perfect world.
More to the point on this version of Attrition, the limited fuel means a lot of the time anything but heavy tanks and tank destroyers don't seem as valuable since you can only get 1-2 units out that cost any amount of fuel. As I said, I think a small income per enemy unit destroyed would make the game mode more interesting.
These changes look really, really nice. One small thing I'd like to commend Relic for is improving the readability of their patch notes. They did a fantastic job actually explaining what each change does. Before, I was oftentimes confused about whether a value changing meant it became more or less accurate, for example. Now it's clearer!
Someone could use math to prove me wrong, but there was this game where I blasted a kubel and it still lived Kubels should die form one hit form the SU85
That happens pretty consistently. Same thing with the ZiS 3. I like how Katyushas (and Panzerwerfers) that come out way later and cost an arm and a leg get one-shotted by PaK's or Panzer IV's, but god forbid the tier 0, 240 manpower Kubel gets 1-hit by an 85mm anti-tank round.
I must say, I really like this map a lot. It's very similar to Kholodny Ferma, another favorite of mine. I do, however, feel that the top victory points need to be spread out farther. As of now, the northern section of the map is disproportionately important compared to the south. The layout itself is great, though.
I think that would be really cool. They'd basically be flamethrowers in a way since they give great short range firepower, except they won't explode on you. The Modern Combat mod for the first game had shotguns and I think they did it really well, so Relic no doubt could as well.