Hey thanks for the replies.  I understand that it is possible to set them back.  However, I feel like a good axis player will use the German air to clear the med early and then the Italians still have the strongest naval presence in the med early game.

If the Germans then commit their air force to helping Italy in Africa there is little England can do alone to stop Italy from getting to the point to where they are earning close the same ipcs.  Maybe I am wrong but once it gets to this point if the US doesn’t get involved,  most of England’s effort is focused on Italy.  Which is a win for the axis.

The US can tip the scales and make sure the Italians stay in Europe but I am just wondering what the most cost effective way would be.  Thanks again for the insight.  I really appreciate it.

I am just wondering how people deal with Italy as the allies and prevent them from ever getting going.  I know Taranto raid is a popular move and if successful really sets them back. So assuming the raid is successful, what are the next steps in making sure Italy never controls the Med.  I know there are a lot of variables involved so this question might be tough to answer but lets just assume Japan declares R2 as well as Germany and that Germany goes full Barbosa.

I would appreciate any insight for other situations as well.  For example if Germany does some sort of Sea Lion feint or Japan dow R1 or waits till R3 and how this would affect the strategy if any.

Obviously subduing Italy is a job best fit for the US so I would like to hear what people feel is the best way to approach this.  Specifically, what you feel is the best buys and so on. Let me know what you think.

I know a common alternative to Taranto is to defend sz 92 instead of Malta. The safe buy for England would be 1 AB and the rest inf. The AB would go in Gibraltar and the inf in London.  The idea is that you kill the Italian transport off of Malta with planes and then park all of your navy that can reach in sz 92 along with three fighters in Gib.  This will give you enough defense to keep the Italians from being able to destroy your ships alone as well as all but eliminate any threat of sea lion.

There are a couple of things that you need to consider in doing this though.  One is that any German planes in Western Germany can hit sz 92 if the Italians take Morroco or Algeria.  The axis could also strafe you with Italy and then finish you off with the German air.  Also if Germany bought any trans on T1 and placed them in sz 112 right off of W. Germany you need to watch out for an amphibious assault from the Germans on T2 since you most likely wont have much for land units in Gib.  This can be prevented with a easily with a blocker.

I personally always do Taranto but I also usually wont play any sort of serious opponent with out at least a bid of 9-12 towards the allies.  This will give me better odds for both Tobruk and Taranto.

Late to the convo but wouldn’t a good strategy against this be a late game neutral crush. � � This is assuming the Italians have been all neutered. The timing of the attack would have to be such that the US hits Spain and then UK hit Turkey in the same turn to prevent the free units for the AXIS. � This is assuming some sort of med bid, an early UK factory in Persia and an adequate defense of Moscow. � �

The advantages of this strategy would be that the bombers only sea target would be what ever sizable force the allies plant off of the coast of gib (Assuming an air field is purchased there). � Hence if they decide to attack the fleet the bombers are no longer a threat to Russia. � Also it allows a shuck to be created with no real threat if Germany decides to not attack the fleet. �

If Moscow is still alive and well defended this opens up a three front war against Germany which is very difficult to protect. �

Let me know what you guys think