@Dark_Destroyer:
@Commando:
Taking out SZ97 and SZ96 are crucial and easily obtainable.
Even with a german fighter on southern italy and the SZ 91 cruiser knocked out? I think your claim is very situational. I agree its crucial, but you can combine the India fleet with the SZ98 for a counterstrike into the med. I think it’s better, odd wise. I would want Italy buying navy instead of troops and transports. Losing the creditable threat of losing transports gives Italy a huge advantage on the Northern Africa/Egypt front.
Take out SZ96 w/the FTR from Gib and the FTR from Malta.
Take out SZ97 w/everything in SZ98, 2 FTR’s and 1 SBR from UK. That’s a 80% battle in the UK’s favor. That’s IF the Axis scramble 3 FTR’s out of S. Italy. AND, most Allied players get at least a bid of +6 IPC’s, which can be used for an extra Brit Sub in SZ98, which means you can leave a FTR behind in the UK and still get 80% odds. In my opinion, the Brits have to try and take out the 2 Italian Trans in SZ96 and SZ97, plus the Italian fleet in those SZ’s. Very much cripples Italy…