I played a game of Europe a week ago that is relevant to this discussion. I’ll chuck in a few thoughts as well. I don’t have a map with me, so bare with me.
Germany bought two transports and carrier. Took out entire British navy except the transport next to England for the loss of two sub, one bomber, and one plane. Took Parris leaving the mech and tanks.
England bought men and hit the Italians fleet with what would reach except the tac, which landed in Europe. A carrier with one hit and a cruiser survived.
Italy bought one destroyer. It prepared to take Egypt, took Southern France, activated Bulgaria. Tansported man and tank to Albania, leaving Two destroyers and a Cruiser.
France moved to support the British in the med.
After a few rounds, the med was clear, egypt had quite a few men in it. Iraq had an Italian Minor IC. The Germans took an opportunity to hit an understrength US contingent supporting three transports and 1 UK transport. Germany hit it, and took Gibraltar (out of reach of a US counterattack). Only lost two subs. From there, the transport went intoo the med. This allowed movement of men and arty into Egypt. The Italians then spenta bit of time buildign a small navy (it already had two additional bomber and one tac bomber, both original planes as well). It eventually had three subs and three detroyers. I figured combined witht he navy, we can seriously slow own the US using destryer blocking aand at least one crack using subs and all planes.
The The US just ignored the med. The managed to take Western Germany. UK flew it’s planes there. Next go, US built 9 tanks. Germany kicked him out, but similar exchanges occured with the British. Eventually, the very c=successful Western germany Anti Air guns depleted the Luftwaffe, and the Italians had this massive navy sitting, doing nothing, in the med.
I think if Germany send too much to the med, it really does hinder the defences when the US heads North. That being said, The North African men may be better used heading to Russia.