@LT04:
It sounds that every one can agree that you should only take the Caucasus if you can hold it. I find it interesting that there are avid players who take both sides. Just goes to show that this game is both a science and an art form to play.
As either Axis player, I’ll generally take Caucasus whenever I can get it, as long as I’m not sacrificing too much to do so. If it’s a pretty equal trade (German or Japanese stack for Russian stack), then go go go!
Having the Russians stage there is huge. As someone pointed out, taking it for even one round means Russia won’t be producing there for at least one – and usually means the German line moves forward, meaning trading Cau/WRus/Arc instead of Kar/Belo/Ukr, which is equally huge. I’ve found that once Caucasus falls, it isn’t quickly retaken. Or if it is, Russia has to throw a lot at it, meaning troops that would instead go to WRus/Nov (some Russian choke point) are stuck in Cau for a turn.
As for the north/south question, I agree that Kar/Arc is good for breaking up early Allied buildups and Cau is good for the late push. I can’t see how anyone can stay in Kar much beyond G3 or so. Even if you do a 3inf bid into Belo/Ukr/WRus, Germany is hardpressed to hold Kar for very long. Similarly, it’s so much easier to take Russia if the Axis take Cau first. That’s 4inf going to the front line each turn. Blitz over some tanks and it’s lights out soon after.