Karl took 7, and put 1 inf and 1 artillery on Caucasus, then destroyed the 6 german units on Ukraine taking I believe, 1 casualty.
Up to 19, I’d put a combination of Russian Artillery and British Subs within reach of the opener targets.
The “Black Queen Gambit” (Attacking the southern Japanese fleet) is crippling to Japan. 1-2 more subs dramatically improve the odds, though, Karl again destroyed all the Axis units without any bid, taking a grand 2 casualties.
Those two battles are pivotal. Attack and win, the game is yours as the Axis. Attack and retreat, or lose 1:1, the Allies have a good chance of winning. Luck in the opener means alot here, and that’s why as little as 1-2 artillery or subs really distort and increase the chances of you doing well.