@Brain:
@Make_It_Round:
The USSR will probably be busily gobbling up neutral countries in the Balkans, just like they actually did in 1940. There’ll be lots for them to do there, and in the Middle East, while gearing up to defend against Germany.
So there are going to be some added neutral territories between Russia and Germany that they can grab before the ultimate confrontation?
Nah, probably not a buffer state (or states) between Germany and Russia directly. Might be some out of the way, such as in Romania or Greece, but Germany and Russia had partitioned Poland between them as part of the non-aggression pact. As such, it is likely that Russia and Germany will have some forces in Poland and East Poland at game start to represent the two powers divvying up Poland and eastern europe.
I’m guesing you could start invading Russia from G1, but the forces in eastern poland will probably drag it out for a few turns until reinforcements can get there. But I doubt Russia will have many forces BETWEEN Eastern Poland and Moscow round 1 so there might be some easily conquered empty territories ripe for the taking. Germany will also be poorly situated to invade too, so probably a better idea to follow history.