sherman, ive only ever seen the $12 spent on russian infantry, mainly because russia gets beat down horribly by germany at the beginning of the games ive played.
I’ve only played 8 - 10 games of A&AE… and i never read the rules… and the last 3 games i played as germany, without the extra $12 at start. and i pounded russia - winning at the beginning of my 5th turn.
Next game - ill get the $12 and hurt them even worse. hurrah!