WILD BILL, vonLettow,
I agree with both of you guys. With Russia going first and the setup the way it stands, Germany really doesn’t stand a chance in Russia. I’ve tried this game a couple of times now, and both times Germany gets wiped out in Russia (Ukraine, W Ukraine, Smolensk, Belarus and Baltic States). Plus, Russia is strong enough that they can keep up the pressure or at least keep Germany out of Russia for most of the rest of the game.
In our last game of Global 1942, Russia actually took Berlin in round 3 or 4. Germany was able to take back Berlin and kick the Russians out of E Europe, but that gave Russia a LOT of money to spend and they were able to get a lot of really nice equipment (planes, tanks) that in most games of Global 40 they can’t afford to get. Germany had a lot of problems keeping the Russians back and fighting the Brits too. I don’t think there is a real chance of an Axis victory on the Europe side.
Japan had a decent chance as they were spread out all over the Pacific and Asia and China and Russia were very weak. Even with their higher income, they couldn’t keep up with the US Navy and eventually got cornered on their island.
Once that happened, the US went full tilt toward Europe and whatever small gains the Axis were able to make there soon disappeared.