Notwithstanding much of what was written in the earlier post, the PLA rifle squads do possess some important advantages in some cases compared to many Armies that have adopted a Western-style "up-the-middle" almost automatic frontal attack mentality. First off; most PLA infantry squads (except mechanized) still resort to their traditional three cells each of 3 men (at times in the past that has been as many as 5), with one cell crewing a heavy automatic rifle (Type 95 5.8mm heavy automatic rifle firing "heavy" rounds for added range, accuracy, and striking power), and two cells (one of which includes the Squad Leader) each carrying a rocket launcher (Type 69 or PF 89).
With 9 or 10 men in each rifle squad, this compares favourably to the 8 man section of British and some Commonwealth Armies and even the 9 man squad of the US Army. Though still smaller than the 13 man squad of the USMC (admittedly, a rarety amongst the world's Armies), the PLA Rifle Squad possesses the great distinction of being both the forerunner and the inspiration of the USMC Rifle Squad (and the PLA as well as being the source of the battle cry of the USMC - "Gung Ho!").
The reason for this was that the PLA was observed by a USMC officer during the 1930's who, along with another officer, eventually adapted the PLA rifle squad for USMC purposes for use in the Raider Battalions of WWII. Both officers went on to become generals (Carlson and Edson). After the disbandment of the Raider Battalions, the regular infantry battalions of the USMC adopted the PLA Rifle Squad structure in 1944 as previously used by the Raiders and added a fourth man to each fire team to enable the USMC Rifle Squad to absorb losses; thus, with the Squad Leader, the 13 man USMC Rifle Squad was born and has been used ever since.
It seems a pity that the PLA has reduced to an 8 man rifle squad in mechanized units. With just one heavy automatic rifle (Type 95) for 8 men (with Type 95 assault rifles, and perhaps one 35mm or 40mm underslung grenade launchers to be introduced), the squad is incapable of internal fire-and-movement for Western-style frontal attacks in open country (often difficult to avoid in mechanized operations). Nevertheless, it is capable (where cover and terrain permit) and is best suited for, flank attacks, with the heavy automatic or LMG providing suppressive fires on the enemy position while 5 men conduct the assault. And it is easy to control, by no means a "small' consideration, and loss of control in battle is often disastrous.
The mechanized rifle squad has practically no ability to perform double envelopments (even if terrain permits) without stripping the heavy automatic rifle/machine gun team of virtually all security and source of ammo resupply. The mechanized rifle squad is organized to perform flanking attacks during offensive operations, which enable it to avoid (where cover permits) the heavy losses of Western frontal attacks. That said, terrain and cover may force the squad to perform frontal attacks, for which it is ill-organized and equipped. And with only one heavy automatic rifle or LMG, the squad is weak in defenisve staying power compared to Western squads/sections with 2 LMGs that allow for the mutual support of each other and interlocking fields of fire (as well as for the old German tactic of drawing the enemy in with the fire from one machine gun, and then as the enemy gets close to assault, only then allowing the second machine gun to open fire as well, catching the enemy by surprise and in the flank). The PLA mechanized rifle squad is a mixed bag, and perhaps ill-suited to mechanized warfare in open country.
But those 9 and 10 man squads of the Light and regular Foot Infantry still retaining the 3 cell organization are admirably suited to the demands of close combat in close, difficult country (as much of China itself is). For offensive operations, with the one cell equipped with a heavy automatic rifle to provide a base of suppressive fire on the objective, and the other two cells each with a rocket launcher may then perform either flank or a double envelopment attack (if cover permits). The rocket launchers provide vastly superior range and killing power against field fortifications and light armour than do grenade launchers.
By contrast, a British or (some) Commonwealth 8 man section might have to reorganize to perform a flank attack as their organization effectively permits it to perform only frontal attacks as organized with its two fire teams/assault groups; it is unlikely that it could perform a double envelopment attack at all, even if cirumstances otherwise allowed for it). The US Army 9 man rifle squad has a little more margin for error, and can reorganize to perform both flank attacks and even double envelopment attacks if 2 men are taken under personal command of the Squad Leader (one man poached from each 4 man fire team). Neither British, Commonwealth, or US sections/squads normally carry anything comparable to the Type 69 or PF 89 rocket launchers, let alone two of them (although they have at times carried a Garl Gustav or a Mk 153 SMAW in the past).
The problem for the US Army squad in the double envelopment attack by comparison to the PLA squad is the former's greater firepower. It seems ironic, but in order to execute a double envelopment attack the US squad must place both of its LMGs into one team, ideally led by the Squad Leader himself. The two reduced three man Fire Teams may then use cover and concealment to take up position on either flank of the enemy position. However, in doing so, the fire teams take with them much of the LMG's source of ammo resupply. Consequently, the Squad Leader may possess a heavy base of fire with 2 LMGs to fix and suppress the enemy position, but little way to keep the LMGs supplied with the necessary ammo.
The PLA rifle squad, by contrast, with its single heavy automatic rifle for a base of fire (admittedly less heavy than that provided by 2 LMGs) does not create such a supply conundrum. Presumably the PLA has tested the suppressive effects of the Type 95 heavy automatic rifle variant and found it to provide adequate suppressive fires for the squad. If not, then the Type 88 5.8mm GPMG in the light role should prove a more effective replacement, though possibly creating an ammo supply problem (though not as much as two would).
However, in defensive operations the PLA Rifle Squad would be at a disadvantage with only one heavy automatic rifle or light machine gun. Many other Armies have 2 LMGs per Squad or section, which gives them a capability to cover each other's LMG positions and to create interlocking fields of fire, which cannot be done with the single heavy automatic or LMG of the PLA squad. Ammo resupply is less of an issue in some ways in the defence (not as far to go, not having to move around as much, etc.) than in the offense.
That said, the PLA rifle squad has powerful reinforcement from platoon and company level. The Type 88 5.8mm GPMG is on hand (although this is inferior in range and hitting power to the 7.62mm FM MAG typically used by Western armies) as well as the QLZ 87 35mm automatic grenade launcher (weighing 26pounds plus ammo in the light role, and 45 pounds in the SF role) to which Western Armies have no equivalent (until battalion level, and here the PLA also is introducing 40mm automatic grenade launchers equal to the US Mk 19). The PF 98 120mm recoilless gun gives AT capability to 800m and HE out to 1800m. The Garl Gustav 84mm recoiless rifle that British and Commonwealth Armies (and US Army Rangers) use is inferior in both respects, effective to 700m and 1,000m respectively; the USMC and US Army Mk 153 SMAW 83mm rocket launcher is even more inferior, and does not even have straight HE rounds as a normal option. Similarly, the 60mm mortar of the PLA company is equal to or marginally superior to the US 60mm mortar; British and Commonwealth armies either use the vastly inferior 51mm or the still very inferior Mk 19 60mm (of Korean War vintage) mortars, or nothing at all until battalion level.
The PLA Rifle Squad, though reduced in size recently, is still more flexible, if potentially more difficult to control, than most Western Sections/Squads. It is easier to keep supplied during offensive operations and is more flexible in its range of attacks. It has less defensive staying power, however, due to its usual lone heavy automatic rifle or light machine gun. However, the platoon and company of which it is a part possesses the usual GPMGs and other heavy weapons, but most notably 35mm automatic grenade launchers in the weight class of 7.62mm GPMGs, in both light and SF roles, and this provides for a substantial increase in firepower at company and platoon level compared to Western equivalents.
Likewise, even at squad level, the 40mm underslung grenade launchers of Western sections and squads are mere peashooters compared to the Type 69 (a development of RGP-7V) or the PF 89 rocket launchers that the PLA squad uses against the same point and area targets that a Western section/squad would use 40mm grenade launchers on. US troops in Iraq are presently complaining that the worst weapon they have to face in firefights are the RPG-7's of the insurgents, and they have nothing comparable to fight back with (except captured RPG-7s). The PLA is clearly on to something here.
There are relative weaknesses in the PLA rifle squad, especially as they were pointed out and described in the last post. The inherent flexibility of the 3x3 organization of the squad may make it more difficult to control, particularly if there is only one NCO to command it, and it makes internal fire-and-movement in frontal attacks more comlicated (typically a necessity in open country), thus lending itself to possible loss of control compared to a two fire team/assault group squad/section. And the PLA squad, as it usually has only one heavy automatic rifle or LMG, is markedly inferior in automatic firepower to its Western counterparts, and it has little capacity for internal fire-and-movement.
However, in the often restricted terrain of most of China, such an organization makes sense for offensive operations. Though the lack of a second heavy automatic rifle or LMG weakens its capacity for frontal attacks and for defensive operations, the former may be avoided in close country, and the latter is remedied especially by the 35mm automatic grenade launchers available to company or even platoon level, in addition to the usual heavy weapons at those levels.
The Rifle Squad of the PLA, in its 8 man Mechanized, and especially in its 9 and 10 man Light and Foot Infantry versions, make for an interesting, even revealing, comparision with and contrast to Western Rifle Squads and Sections. The PLA Squad emphasizes flexibility and the use of terrain, cover, and concealment, and flanking or double envelopment attacks on the offense, and heavy weapons support in the defense, as well as a reduced need for ammo resupply. Its Western counterparts emphasize tight control, the need for ready access to heavy ammo resupply, and heavy firepower at Section/Squad level for internal fire-and-movement and less at higher level in both offensive and defensive operations, and frontal attacks are often preferred due to that emphasis on firepower and control, even when terrain and cover allow for other options.