Gibbastion is not so easily dismissed.
I can’t find the original post (i.e. I cannot take credit for this), and some of the details may be off due to my poor memory, but a very effective way to reinforcing SZ92 on UK1 that prevents Italian and German counter-attack is to reinforce Algeria + DD blocker in SZ94. The airbase in Gibraltar UK1 becomes optional, if S. France is not taken on G1, but probably a good idea for max insurance (detailed below)
UK1 attacks SZ96 with tac+ftr+DD–but DD cannot die.
Hold Egypt with max land units. Consider sending mech to Syria to ensure French inf remains viable, if Vichy is in play.
The DD + french units prevent Italy from sending anything besides aircraft against UK fleet (which presumably consists of 1 CV, 2 CA, 1 DD (from SZ109), 1 tac, 1 ftr–after typical German attack on SZ110)
Algeria has 1 French inf + 1 UK inf + AA from Malta + 2 inf from Scotland + 3 ftrs from UK.
Italy can
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suicide 2 ftr + sb against fleet – assuming as @squirecam says, Germany takes S. France–but Vichy is off table. But nothing much is gained, UK would have bought an airbase in Gibraltar (as mentioned above), so the CV can take a hit and the DD + possibly tac if necessary. The Luftwaffe can’t really retaliate without Algeria. 2 sb (W. Ger) + 1 ftr (in S. Italy after G1 to “defend” Taranto).
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attack on Algeria-- with 2 transports (2 inf + 1 art + 1 tank) + 1 sb + 2ftr at 15%. That pesky DD prevents the Naval bombard that would be devastating.
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Attack Egypt which has 5 inf + 1 tank + 2 art + probably 1 mech since Vichy off table vs (2 inf + 1 art + 1 tank) + 1 sb + 3 bombard attacks ~ 10% attack.
Once, UK gets past the first round, the fleet can escape to the Atlantic if necessary to wait for the US to join the battle. Ftrs can go to Egypt to defend, and a factory can be built in Egypt to ensure the near term survival.
