@Galendae
I played a game against myself under the parameters you described, using your strategy (no bid).
Here are the results (apologies for some of the editing confusion, I assure you, overall there were no IPC irregularities):
2024-4-26-World-War-II-Global-1940-2nd-Edition Human.tsvg
While the results were… inconclusive, I think it’s pretty clear (and we can extrapolate) that the US can certainly beat the Axis back if it knows what’s coming while the Soviets can cause some serious damage when it amasses along the border, ready for a strike. Overall I think the Axis weren’t going to win this one.
Still, I was surprised that Japan was as successful as they were, seizing the West Coast twice.
Let me know if you would like a full game report.