@WILD:
Your correct Marsh, Russia has to be at war first. I’m assuming a G2 attack (which is the most common scenario I run into in my group). But yes, otherwise they’d have to wait.
I wouldn’t sweat the Russian troops in Turkey. The planes make it back easily, and any two move units brought to the battle can be back in Moscow by turn 4. It’s worth it if Turkey gets hit hard and Spain is taken by the US early.
I agree, we also see a lot of G2 Barbarossa and it comes with a devastating J1 attack. This allows the USA to go to Spain early, but the USA also has responsibilities in the Pac to deal with. Opening up Spain creates a two front war for the Germans as they press Moscow, but the USA faces a similar scenario.
The Germans will still have their starting super stack pushing into Russia, but they will stall w/o reinforcements and the Luftwaffe. Early Anglo landings in Spain will force the Germans/Italians to spend on the western front (cutting back on purchases generally made in German held Russian factories). It will also tie up the German air force which is essential for any attack on Moscow.
With an Allied neutral crush pretty much every major power will have multiple fronts to fight, it makes for a very different game.
Great points Bill, and a solid example of how thinking a little differently can produce solid results. Who would think that a US2 attack on Spain would be a great slow down move against a JDOW1?