Ok, I sat down to play out Barbarossa the other day, not ant entire game of game of A&A Europe but just that first important move for the German player. The first points to keep in mind is that you will lose troops accept that fact and don’t let it hinder your judgment. Secondly, though you can mass considerable firepower against the Russians it is not always the best move because the Russians can counter attack on their move with a still dangerous force.
Purchase with a mind that you will make up he majority of your loses. Buy 6 Infantry (18 IPCs) and 3 tanks (15 IPCs) use the remaining 8 to buy a sub for that “other” war. The extra 12 should be used to either store or build a new fighter.
Organize your forces before you move in your mind. The break down of forces goes sup-thing like this, in Poland you have:
6 Infantry
2 tanks
1 artillery
1 fighter
In Hungary you have:
3 infantry
1 artillery
1 tank
In Rumania you have:
3 infantry
1 tank
In Finland you have:
3 Infantry
In air units you have:
2 fighters in Germany
1 bomber in Germany
The Fin’s usually send 2 Infantry into Vyborg, don’t worry about Karelia yet, move 2 infantry from Norway in the non-combat portion of your turn to fortify this spot. Though you might be tempted to use the fighter located there (Norway) it is best to leave it be for now.
Now create Army Group North for the drive into the Baltic states. This force should consist of 2 Infantry, an artillery, a fighter, from Poland and the bomber from Germany, against 3 Infantry in the Baltic states. Chances are here you will lose 1 Infantry perhaps 2 saving the artillery unit, meanwhile destroying the Russians.
Create Army group Center for the drive into East Poland. This force should consist of 2 Tanks, 2 fighters, and 1 Infantry, against 4 infantry in East Poland. YOU WILL lose an Infantry as well as possibly a tank in this battle but eliminate the Russians. Don’t worry you will regain the 2 tank advantage the next turn from The coming from Hungary. In the non-combat phase move the remaining 3 Infantry from Poland forward return the fighters home to Poland. The likely counter-attack should come Belorussia at 4 Infantry and a tank. You should bounce this attack right off with little loss perhaps an Infantry which should bear the brunt of this attack. After which the road to Moscow will be open.
Create Army Group South with 2 Infantry and artillery and 1 Infantry and a tank from Rumania into Bessarabia against an infantry and tank. Loss here should be light again an infantry or two. The 4 Infantry and 1 Artillery in Ukraine will give you the greatest amount of worry but the country attack here should be repulsed too with heavier losses.
SO that’s what I think will get you going on the right road to winning in Russia.