Thanks for the compliment and yes there were many iterations before I “mastered the nuances”. It takes a solid commitment and a clear plan of attack.
Pacific speaking:
The best thing about it is if the bombers are directed at Japan, it forces his fleet to stay in a group therefore relieving the massive bounce on India that every Japan player wants. If he leaves one transport undefended, you attack it for free. That should always be the first look move before anything else. This cuts off supply saving the money islands. The only bad thing is that USSR has to stay in Amur or Buryatia. Amur is best because if you get a chance to strat bomb Japan, you do it, after transport duty of course. I like the mobility of the bomber. They can make a big naval battle for the USA much more palatable even when odds suck. The best is when you can catch Japan out of position (and it will happen). Attack his carriers and once you damage them, run. Planes go in the drink for free with no where to land. With good ANZAC behind, it won’t take long to demolish Japan’s income base. Any extra subs can just convoy. He builds a destroyer, you kill it. Generally, what happens is the IJN fleet is neutered back to SZ6 cause he’ll need to build navy. This allows ANZAC and any available US units to go retake islands or better, Philippines.
One other fun thing is if he builds an industrial complex on the mainland, you smoke that too and now it’s an albatross. Ties down fighters to defend it.
Europe speaking:
If no DOW J1, go to Europe with everything you have. Instant pressure on Rome. This leaves Germany by theirself to fight USSR. No more can openers. If Italy leaves their fleet open, smoke it too.
USA has all the money and can replace stuff quick. Bombers get their quick and, if needed, can die quickly in a can opener for UK invasions, particularly Norway/Denmark. Paired with a few fighters and destroyers, they can send Italy or any other fleet down in a hurry. Hell, I often just stack Gibraltar while adding a few loaded trannies each turn. You can send 2 or 3 waves into Italy and turn the Nazis around in a hurry. Libya makes a fun spot to land to smoke Italy into the stone age if Egypt is secured and can make it to Moscow from there with 6 moves.
In a last ditch effort you can always send them to Moscow to soak hits and 5-7 extra PIPs can make the difference when it finally comes to fruition.
In conclusion,
We used to have a hard time winning with the Allies until we finally realized the full Jedi power of the US bomber paired with any other type of unit. We never used bids.
It is a hard strategy to hold steady but when played effectively with a few land unit purchases is virtually unstoppable, less some $hitty dice roll comes up. Even then, just buy more.