ok…. so last night we finished the game where i did this strategy and the allies conceded. the only negative thing i found from the axis point of view was that japan stalled in asia. perhaps an IC or more transports to asia would have helped, but that was a small problem.
the 2nd turn after the failed attack, Japan was able to consolidate their fleet into a giant fleet in hawaii and keep the US at bay in the pacific for the remainder of the game. Japan held their ground in asia and was island hopping in the pacific. The US was never really able to do anything in the Atlantic, which allowed Italy to concentrate on taking Egypt and rolling through the Middle east. Italy was making 26 in objectives by the last turn. something about Italy bringing 50+ ipc’s per turn is scary. On the last turn they took south africa, basically finishing off UK in Africa.
Germany had plenty of units to eventually break russia. i kept streaming infantry towards romania, and building up tanks and art, until i had enough to take the ukraine factory and the very next turn the factory in the north (whatever that one is called)
i might do something similar to this another time because of the time it gives italy w/o worrying about gibrolter and the US getting into the Med. i think that made a HUGE difference for the axis powers, especially Italy.
It can be done , remember the US has no idea anything is happening til turn 3, maybe a small inkling on turn 2. The element of surprise is in the axis hands.