After you posted your feelings about playing the Russians poorly, I went back and looked at the game. Now, with hindsight, I realize what you meant. I actually messed up the Italian/German turn pretty bad considering the opportunity you gave me. With your units in Ukraine, I should’ve moved the Italians into Belarus as I did, but placed all of my Italian air units up there in the neighborhood too. Then, on my German turn, I should’ve purchased three tanks for Novograd along with moving my entire air force to Belarus. THAT would’ve put you in a bad, bad position. You would’ve had to defend Moscow pretty heavily because the Italians could use seven units to can open Smolensk or Bryansk. Then, the Germans could use 8 tanks, 3 mech, 5 fighters, 5 tacticals, and 2 strategic bombers against Moscow. If that would not have been a good option for me because you defended Moscow too well, I could’ve advanced on the under powered stack from Ukraine that would retreat to Bryansk. Maybe even doing a strafing attack so as to prevent you from any type of a counter attack.
Now, you could have moved them to Rostov or something if I had actually done that move, but then they would remain out of position to help Moscow. I know I would be giving other stuff up, like letting the UK safely build transports and Italy would have a harder time in the Med, but man, I could’ve really done a number on the Soviets. I was so concerned with my Italian position in Egypt and threatening your UK fleet, that I didn’t even see this move against the Soviets. Dang, I am upset at myself for letting this move slip through my hands. :x Now, you are going to be able to retreat everything safely back to Moscow and that will buy you valuable time for America to try to save the Allies.
Well, it looks like we both better settle in for a long game. I doubt either of us will win this one anytime soon partner. :-D
My turn to come later…