SZ 91 is of way more importance, strategically.
When I build a navy as Germany, it’s main goal is the delaying of the US/UK fleet landing in Europe/Africa. When I play as I did this game, the goal is to out-right stop them and have superiority. I feel that if you’re going to take your Rd1 fleet and sail it into the Med, why not use those ICs vs. Russia, and build a fleet via South France or Yugoslavia instead?
If you defend 92 instead…
you give the US access to Gibraltar. The US can build many transports and take it. (it’s very hard to get more land units in Gibraltar than the US can bring, unless maybe you’re marching through Spain.
you can’t counterattack with your navy when they take Gibraltar. You’re trapped in the Med.
they gain the NB in Gibraltar, uncontested, and can then go on to attack Norway, Western Germany, Denmark, Normandy, Belgium.
when the US takes Gib, that’s 3 less planes to help you scramble when they attack 92.
The pros of 91…
You can reinforce from 5 factories in one turn: Normandy, Wester Germany, Southern France, Northern Italy, Souther Italy.
If you stay ahead of their navy, you no longer need land units to defend your coastal territories. No more stacks of inf in France and Germany, the money of which instead supports your navy.
3) The US/UK forces are divided. While you may not be able to attack them outright, it is much tougher for them to get the upper hand when the US must attack, then the UK. 1-2 punches are less effective.
4) Protecting 91 means the US/UK can’t get forces into North Africa.
with transports, you threaten England, Eastern US, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, the West Indies.
The key is denying them Gibraltar altogether. Once they have it, they’re threatening a VC in Italy, and a possible 1-2 punch of Us taking Denmark, the UK taking Germany.
