ORIGINAL: brian brian
A “Sitzkrieg” can be a winning strategy for Germany. Axis losses have been light and their oil bank is now in-exhaustable. The Russians have not taken losses, either, but they also haven’t had 2 years of +0.5 Production Multiple and now never will.
The attack in Bessarabia was a net BP gain for USSR however. It also illustrates that Germany should force the USSR to attack in East Prussia for the Production Multiple gain and to keep the Soviet front stretched more. If they advance much in central Poland then East Prussia steadily becomes a threat to the flank of that advance.
By 1943, the game becomes a struggle of breaking river lines vs. well stocked armored counterattacks and everything with a red circled factor becomes key.
Japan and Italy seem beatable but I am not so sure about Germany - and taking out the first 2 Axis countries subtracts from the effort vs. Germany. I think the USA came in late in this game?
I think it's an interesting strategic choice for the Axis to make but it probably has to be a conscious decision, rather than being battered into it by the run of the play.
I concur this game isn't a sure thing for the Allies but it has to remain enjoyable for both parties. Best to cut losses and have another go.
Stay tuned folks.
P.S. I do have the game file saved at the end of the last Allied impulse. If anyone wants to play on to see how things pan out let me know and I'll send it to you (with Warspite1's agreement). You'll need an opponent as I am embarking on a new campaign.