Poland then Russia instead of France

[sPzAbt653]

I can't remember who, but somebody said something like 'Russia is easy to get into, but not so easy to get out of'.

Going early but with less units makes it difficult once the front starts expanding. You lose the early advantage that made the historic Axis success possible.

I've tried this twice and the first time it worked out well, as eventually Russia folded and that frees up a ton of Axis units that can then defeat the UK and US. The second time it didn't work out so well as I never got anywhere in Russia and then it was all I could do to hold off the Allies. For many turns.

End of the second try, which was an Allied Minor Victory:

[Christolos]

It's still amazing that you held out until 1947 in the second game.
That line of Russian units looks scary![X(]

[sPzAbt653]

That's a 653H full historical Soviet OOB, and its a good thing that the computer is not as proficient as a human at concentrating on taking out one unit at a time!
Large scale withdrawals are difficult because we can't move and reinforce a unit in the same turn. It requires some well placed reserves and planning. Look at Iran, I've got four German units playing musical hexes in order to hold back a swarm of Soviets. It's a brain twister!
At least in the east there is lots of space. In the west, even with BeNeLux still neutral, the Western Allies are very annoying. Lots of attacks and counterattacks on that front.

[Christolos]

ORIGINAL: sPzAbt653
Look at Iran, I've got four German units playing musical hexes in order to hold back a swarm of Soviets. It's a brain twister!

Indeed, it reminds of a tenuous standoff situation kind of like the "Hot Gates" at Thermopylae were...

C