German opening.

Thank you, Vance. What I’ve found since I posted is the importance of Italy in support - as you mentioned. Italy takes a territory, Germany reinforces. Repeat, over and over. This gives Italy IPCs, preserves whatever leftover Italians made it through the battle, allows Germany to not be attrited, and allows German air power to land and lock down territories.

In my last game, I forced a retreat from Moscow with a combined German force of approximately 36 Infantry, 10 Artillery, 6 Mech Infantry, and 14 Armor… along with typical Luftwaffe presence  - Tac bombers shifted to East Front to combine with Armor, Fighters playing defense in Italy/Germany. I was able to sustain German Infantry by having Italy do the heavy lifting.

It is a very methodical and patient process - Russia remains strong until Turns 10-12, but eventually has to give ground.

The important part is strong Atlantic and Med play, to allow you the time it takes to wear down Russia. This is not a quick kill strategy.

I like the 3 Armor/3 Infantry suggestion!

A note about the IC/Airbase in Greece -

I still do this combo as a matter of course, but I don’t purchase anything in the Black Sea. Instead, I put a Destroyer or Sub in the Med every turn. Combined with the Airbase, plus the Airbase in S Italy, it really causes the Allies problems. Two Infantry a round as an ever-increasing defensive force is not a bad idea either. The Luftwaffe has tremendous flexibility from a Grecian Airbase - especially bombers - to bite into Russian territiories and return.

I tend to buy a Sub or Destroyer every round with Italy as well. Spiky Shields in the Med and N Atlantic are critical to long-term Barbarossa success.

With the Barabarossa as I detailed it, it’s also terribly important for Italy and Germany to dedicate a couple Infantry each and every round to slowly building up the defense of the Med underbelly and coastal France. The last thing you need is to get into an economic trade war/coastal attrition war with the US and Britain. Build and maintain stacks of Infantry. Later in the game, I tend to add an Artillery or two to my coastal defenses, as the US has enough IPCs to eventually crack a territory, and you’ll want to be able to counter.

Another thing that might help clinch an axis win is if Japan makes a serious effort against USSR, at least to remove those 18 far east divisions before they march back to Russia in time to reinforce Moscow.

The Mediterranean aspect of the Greece thing also makes it easy for Italy to go for Syria and then the oil in Iraq etc.  I notice that a fighter or Tac could take off in Gibraltar and land in Cyprus; it would be a weird scenario but perhaps good preventive medicine to drop an infantry on there just in case.

I agree, the second time I lost a fleet off Syria was the final straw.  Now I take Cyprus when I move my Italian fleet there everytime.  Otherwise Allied aircraft can appear from out of nowhere.  Best example is a US purchase of an airbase, increasing the UK airforce’s range.

Another thought on Stalingradski’s operation barbarossa: How about instead of the aircraft carrier, just get 4 transports.  This could be interpreted by UK as a sea lion signal so they buy infantry, in which case Germany can move 10 units per turn to Norway and invade USSR a turn sooner.  If UK leaves London wide open without buying infantry, you could consider actually doing a sea lion on G2, if you took Normandy on G1 and put an airbase there G2 with 3 fighters to scramble in case UK attacks the fleet. This way barbarossa could get started when USSR is still weak but Sea lion is still plausible.

My only concern Vance is Britain’s ability to counterattack the German fleet - typically Germany will have a Battleship, Cruiser, and three aircraft on the West German Airbase to protect Transports purchased. The chance of a British counter is very high in that case. The Carrier locks down that fleet - the two hits to kill plus extra two aircraft seals it.

I like your attitude! Perhaps a Destroyer and 3 Transports? Even that might not be enough, though. If I were Britain I’d pounce on it, even if it resulted in mutual annhilation.

A tweak, following your line of thought - perhaps an extra Transport purchased on G2 - eight units per round to Norway, and a stronger threat against Britain…

…and more infantry+artillery can be transported from from 113 to 115 for the amphibious assault (and maybe back and forth 114 to 115 again if necessary, with shore bombardment each time).  Imagine 5 transports dropping 10 units each time t. USSR would be in big trouble!

I like it. I play against a person who expects three Transports out of me… four or five, with the purchases made at the right time, might also allow me a shot at a sneaky Sealion…

And the ability to lift 8-10 Infantry/Artillery per round to Leningrad from G4 on would be tough for Russia to withstand.

Also, 5 transports may be the magic number because you can build 5 infantry and 5 artillery per turn at the major IC in Germany. Next turn they hop a boat to Leningrad. pretty slick

Mantlefan - I’d like to take a moment to apologize to you (somewhat publicly) for picking your posts out several times yesterday. My head has cooled down!

I was reacting to many, many people’s reactions to Alpha +.3, not just yours. After getting off the site for awhile, I realized that it isn’t that big a deal, and everyone is entitled to their opinions. We’re all passionate about the game, or we wouldn’t be here…

Again - I apologize - and I’ll go back to being friendly in my responses!