Fighters are great for Germany. I think every other round they should be building at least 1 fighter to replenish losses. However, I do not ascribe to the Germany’s on the defense theater of thought.
Once you get it in your head you are defensive with your power you are going to loose the battle. No nation can fight a defensive war against an aggressor and win. This is why the South invaded the North in the Civil War (they did so too late, IMHO.) Likewise, the option of 100% infantry is a turtling maneuver that slows you down WAY too much, in AAR. (in classic it’s a different story, you don’t have 3 eastern fronts to defend, only 1.)
With Germany you have GOT to keep a ratio of 3:1 infantry to armor and at least 5 fighters to defend France. More would be extremely better!!!
Go on the offensive IMMEDIATELY. Keep hammering away. Leave Fin/Nor and Karelia empty if you have too, but put as many troops on the Muscovite border as humanly possible as fast as humanly possible. This will force Russia to consider pulling eastern troops away from Japan, meaning Japan doesn’t have to kill htem, just gobble up the land.
Remember, it’s going to take 3 rounds for America to get that BB to England. That’s 3 rounds you have to destroy any British forces you can find, so that when that BB does make it, it’s not as protected. (A few subs will help here.)
Basically,
Buy 1 Carrier R1
Buy 1 Fighter R2
Buy 1 Sub R3
Buy 1 Fighter R4
Buy 1 Sub R5
etc.
5 Subs, 1 DD, 1 Trn, 1 CV, 2 Fig is a pretty strong offensive force. Especially if you can manage to get the BB/Trn from the Med to join it.
But in order to do that, you have GOT to be grabbing land.