Ideal time to start Barbarossa - MP games

[ThunderLizard11]

What is the collective wisdom on Barbarossa starts. April '41 or later like June/July?

On pros for delaying: more time to upgrade German land and air units. Longer time where Soviet-German MPP advantage is higher from mobilization. Less time for US to provide aid before entering.

Cons: Russia can build more forts/units and dig in. Less time before first winter.

What are the veteran players doing?

[redrum68]

Not an expert but I see very few reasons that you wouldn't attack as soon as possible. I think there is a reason that there is an ELO house rule that you can't attack before 1941.

[petedalby]

I find the timetable will be determined by France / Greece / Yugoslavia. Ideally you want L2 Infantry & Tanks. But yes - the sooner the better. I believe some go as early as January to try to trigger Winter. The earliest I've managed is March. Poor weather but the Russians struggle to get away as well.

[CrackingShow]

I would say as soon as possible. I'm only on my second game but, if the Axis attack late spring/early summer there aren't many turns of good weather to play with. Attacking early give you all of spring/summer.

[Anonymous]

Go when the German and its Axis partners are ready.
I was never one to play a game to recreate a history that's already happened but create one of my own in a game.

[ThunderLizard11]

ORIGINAL: petedalby

I find the timetable will be determined by France / Greece / Yugoslavia. Ideally you want L2 Infantry & Tanks. But yes - the sooner the better. I believe some go as early as January to try to trigger Winter. The earliest I've managed is March. Poor weather but the Russians struggle to get away as well.

Yugo is an annoyance as attacking runs up Soviet mobilization but you want them out of the way before Barbarossa.

Any more advice from the pros?