Pre-Barbarossa recap:
Fall 1939 & Winter 1939-40
I began the game on expert setting (+2 exp/spotting, 20% AI income bonus) and the invasion of Poland went as normal with Poland surrendering on the Axis 3rd turn. Germany immediately began attempts at diplomacy, in efforts to secure future trade and in particular spent all of our diplomacy chits into persuading Greece to become Axis leaning so that the opportunity for the country to join the Axis could be presented later in the war. No new units were built, both Germany and Italy put all our excess MPP into research.
Spring 1940
Germany invaded France as well as the Low Countries, Norway and Denmark. Surrender was swift, with all but the French surrendering on the same turn. The ensuing battle for France was very costly, the game engine fix for applying the AI experience bonus on the AI turn (when AI is on defense) was a huge change and after the battle for France ended with the eventual establishment of Vichy France I made the decision to reduce the AI exp bonus to +1 for the remainder of the game. Both Britain and France had spent considerable MPP on diplomacy during this time of conflict and I head made little headway with Greece, though I can not be certain that's where the MPP was spent as Spain is also a likely target. The Allies successfully intervened in the Winter War between Finland and USSR saving Finland from losing territory but also slowed Finland's future war readiness (MPP collection). Also during this time Axis raiding in the Atlantic was beginning to be at full swing.
Summer 1940
After the French surrender Italy swiftly invaded Egypt, first capturing Sidi Barrani and came very close to capturing Mersa Matruh over the course of 2-3 turns of attacks, but like the historical outcome the Italians offensive was halted and we soon on the defense. In hindsight Germany makes some poor decisions to try to strengthen the Kriegsmarine during this time. Graf Spee returned from the Atlantic, and we built our carrier as well we completed the construction of Bismarck and Lutzow, the latter which upset Stalin. This would have been great if I had wanted to attempt Sealion but I did not. We also decided against attempting to take Malta as our losses during the French campaign were very high and MPP beginning to feel a scarce commodity.
Fall 1940
The Italians were now in full retreat towards Tobruk but German reinforcements would have to wait until the DAK would arrive. Knowing that the upcoming war on Eastern Front will swallow every resource I can muster and I am reluctant to 2x reinforce the region in hopes that Italy can hold on until their arrival. Italy also declares war on Greece as our failed attempted to draw Greece into the Allies failed. Axis diplomacy is now directed at Spain, but we are not overly committed and Germany does not waste value MPP sending military equipment to Spain.
Winter 1940-41
Tobruk was besieged by the Allies and the Italian Army in a tattered ruin, the DAK arrived in Tripoli far from the action, the Allies would capture Tobruk and then Benghazi before the DAK finally arrived at El Agheila. Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria joined the Axis.
Spring 1941
The DAK is forced to remain on the defensive at El Agheila as without support of the Italian Army which was almost entirely destroyed it was difficult to maintain any initiative. Yugoslavia joined the Allies at this time and was quickly overrun, and Germany finally sent some limited forces to assist the Italians in Greece. Meanwhile Axis forces began to build up along the Soviet border....
