@Imperious:
I use the kill Italy first strategy.
Austrians and Ottomans go after them, while Germany goes for France which forces UK to help only France. When Italy is gone the French crumble as Austrians attack south France.
We hold the Russians at bay until Italy falls and can win at Paris. Ottomans help out against Russia after Italy falls.
IL, I’m not sure how you would have the Ottomans go after Italy (could you elaborate?). It would take them 4 turns just to get to Venice moving one territory at a time (haven’t seen too many transports for the CP in the Med). I think it could be viable w/Larry’s 2-move, but in the slow paced OOB I don’t see the Turks doing anything in a KIF, other then watch the Austrians back side and help def against Russia. The Turks need to keep fighting for their own territories (Balkans/Mid East/Russia), and try to improve their income to be relevant. If they send a good size force to the west, they will surly fall because they won’t be gaining any income moving through Austrian land.
Normally what I’ve seen in a KIF is the Austrians hit Venice with everything that can get there A1 (to try and capture it), and keep sending in reinforcements over the next few turns. Although I haven’t tried it, I also like the thought of attacking Tuscany with a couple inf A1 just to trade units with the Italians and get bombardment (would continue transporting over a few troops as long as the navy lives).
The Germans are generally split between defending against Russia (along with the Turks and a contingent from Austria as needed), and heading off the French in Northern Italy so they don’t sandwich the Austrians between themselves, and the Italians. When the Germans have to split their forces between Russia, and France, they aren’t going to be pushing anyone around IMO, only trying to hold the line (sure they may get a slight advantage on one front, but they will stall). Sometimes the Germans will need to splinter off and go into Rome to mop up.
In our games the French activate the Albanians so the Italians can bring them back to Rome, and continuously transport defending units into Italy. By the time Austria gets to Rome, they find a pretty damn good size force waiting for them. It isn’t going to fall in just one turn, and this stall works to the allies advantage, because the supply lines are much faster for the French into Italy (through Burgundy, or by transport), then for either of the CPs (but at least the Italians aren’t making much by this time, and only getting a couple inf). You can knock the hell out of Italy, you might even be able to take Rome, but the French aren’t exactly shaking in their boots, and Russia isn’t going anywhere either. Plus by time you actually take Rome, the US can be in position to liberate them. Your depleted attacking force will be defending now, and your supply lines are still very long.
Although Italy might be the weakest allied power, they are in good position to receive help. The “Boot” can also be a trap killing off many CP units. I think in order for the CP to have a chance OOB, they must go after one of the big guns (Russia, or France). I’m not sure if the CP can afford to get into a naval arms race (and keep a steady flow of ground troops), but the sea is a very powerful tool for the allies.
