UK is just toast.
USA takes Canada (-4) on USA1.
Germany takes Egypt (-2) on G1
Japan takes India on (-3) either J1 or J2
That puts UK in a hole to begin with (-9, or nearly 1/3 of their income to start)
UK can;t afford to attack Norway on UK1, because of the risk of invasion by US forces on US1, unless it is left totally vacant (not as likely in a free for all game).
Also, US will not be going to Africa on USA2 to lioberate it for UK, but to take it for themselves. So Germany will race through Africa first (taking all 9 UK IPC’s), with USA following behind them to claim Africa for the USA.
Meanwhile, Uk will be building up navy and landing forces to make their move a few turns later… a make or break move for them.
So USA and Germany are after UK in Africa.
UK is trying to prevent invasion from Germany and USA
Russia is after USA in Sinkiang and China, UK in the Middle East (all of which have negligable defense)
Only Japan has no imminent threat.
Once they crack the initial Russian units in the east, Japan is off to the races.
They can grab 3 from USSR, 2-4 from USA, 6 from UK… all before they hit any real opposition.
So while everyone else is on the defensive, or trading and counter trading in 3 or 4 way fights, Japan is gaining gorund, and building up offesnive units, with their only real opponent being Russia which has to deal with the US in China, UK landings, and Germany. So Russia is NOT going to be focusing on 1 IPC territories far from home, but fighting for dear life in Karelia, West Russia, and Caucuses.
Game to Japan :-)