Dumping units into Africa itself only takes away Italian IPC and NOs. The whole game really rests upon Cairo. Can Germany take Moscow (and the other USSR VCs) while Italy holds Cairo before losing any European VCs? Once we realized that, my friend playing Germany dumped all original fighters into Africa, supporting the Italian move to Cairo. He also moved the German surface ships to the Med. Once Italy took it, it was impossible to take back in any reasonable time length. Also, Italy should keep harassing Gibraltar, as time is more important than units at the middle to late stage of the game. Finally, Italy sacrificed a few destroyers just to slow US progress in the Med. The Allies had no chance. This, even with USSR taking Finland, Norway, and Iraq early, for a combined IPC increase of 16 (not including typical war-time NOs).
The problem for US, despite the massive income, is the cost of transports and game time to move them. I’ve planned a very precise, efficient use of time and money for the US, but it’s still a slow train to get moving. The problem for USSR, of course, is placement. But building arty on the front, mech infantry/tanks in Moscow and Volgograd, and falling back as necessary was just enough to slow the German/Italian onslaught. (Which, btw, Italy should definitely commit a small contingent if not else than to threaten a German blitz.) UK should focus primarily on Africa and not losing the homeland.
