anyone tried a 1 inf + transporter build round one with italy?

then  perhaps supplementing it with a carrier and a fighter later one

The problem about this one is, that at the end of the italian turn there is two cruisers and one transport in a seazone (that is if you dont want to leave the tranny alone). Any british player with one or two bombers left would seize this opportunity to sink a good part of the italian fleet (OK, there might be even better moves - still this is a good one). Even sinking one cruiser and loosing one bomber is a major blow to the italian fleet.

I agree.  The use of subs with aircraft is a gret combo for naval combat  (even better if you have super subs).  You can even make it cheaper if you have long range aircraft and jet fighter, transforming your fighters in better weapon than the original bomber.

I’m sorry to disagree, but long range aircraft benefits bombers so much it would be a waste to switch to fighters. Although saving 2 IPC per unit is nice, being able to bombard any territory or sea zone on the map at will is much too good to give up on - and thats what long range bombers do!

industrial complex:
building an industrial complex is alway a very important decision. Industrial complexes should only be built in two instances: you cant place enough units or the IC is overseas. Building an IC makes you invest 15 IPC without affecting the game the current and next round. Compare that with 5 inf that defend your factory this round and can be used the next. Therefore only build an IC if absolutely neccesary. I’ve more than once seen a factory that was more a burden than a boost.

fortress europe theory:
putting the focus on ground units is the strategy with the best cost/combat potential tradeoff. However, this strategy forces you to eighter defend every coastal terrain by putting units there or always keeping a backstrike force at hand. Here arises the question, if it wouldnt have been cheaper to sink his navy than keeping land units in reserve.

First:
Face it, bombers, not subs are the main weapon of naval combat. They have far superiour theatre flexibility and combat range and thats it.

Cut your losses:
You normaly cant afford to lose your limited number of bombers in fleet actions. And thats where the sub comes into play. 2-3 subs together with 2-3 bombers are enough to wreak havoc on most fleets and with a rising number of aircraft this equation gets even better, as you can absolutely afford to lose your subs and then decide to continue the action or to retreat.

Superiour opposing air force:
If the opponents air is too strong, subs can repel small fleets and hunt the lone transport. This tactic has been discussed before.

The problem about building a carrier in G1 is that its a purely defensive move. It doesnt make any sense to try to protect the single transport. German naval strategy has to be aggressive to keep oposing transports away. Therefore its best to concentrate on some subs to take combat losses and a strong airforce that delivers the main punch. As subs cannot be attacked by air only and aircraft land on mainland territories, they are in no danger from opposing aircraft. Let your opponent build expensive ships!

Its ok to lose tanks - just make sure you can afford it.

Look at it the other way - if you have multiple territories with a single tank in each, Germany probably cannot kill all, and tanks as the last line of defense behind inf are a hard nut.

Planes on the other hand are so expensive that you just cant afford to lose them. That means that they are totally lost on the defense. Now if i put 2 tanks in a frontline territory its a wave breaker. But if i put 2 planes in, its an invitation.

Hell yes I would!

30 IPC: 6 Armor

Nothing less would do!

Sorry, I’m too chicken for that built! But two tanks, two art and 4 inf would be nice.
Caucasus is a potential weak spot, and i like to reinforce it and retain the possibility of a backstrike!

But I like the 6 tank strategy - it really takes on the german

Has anyone ever had the UK send there destroyer to SZ 48 to block forcing Japan to choose between India and Australia?  Would it slow you down in the Pacific?

No, and i would not recommend it, as it would remove a threat to the 4 IPC islands from the area. and a destroyer is not exactly block for the japanese ambition for australia. Better to keep the transport out of combat range but make sure the japanese has to keep ships / aircraft in the area.

Also, how likely would you be to strike the US carrier/ destroyer if they took position in SZ 46 or 53 assuming a large US naval purchase? Would you be more likely to attack them if they also landed there two bombers on the respective islands?

Thats a more difficult question. First, from japanese view i like the american to build ships, as it takes up large amounts of IPCs and does not directly threaten the mainland or fleets, as they require time to utilize. It also frees up the german. On the other hand, if no measures are to be taken to deal with it, it will become a problem earlier or later. Therefore I suggest the following: If the american only builds a token force, attack it and free up your IPCs for a land campaign; if the american goes all out fleet, reinforce yours so that the american has to build another round. Then decide how to deal with it accordingly.

German Attack plan Z: Peace in the west

Development: none
Purchase new units: 2 subs, 1 Bomber, 1 Inf, 1 Art
Combat moves:

Attack on UK BB and Transport in Sz 2 Bomber from Germany, Fighter from Norway, Sub from Sz 7
Attack on UK Destr in Sz 6 Cruiser from Sz5, Fighter form Poland
Attack on UK Cruiser and Destr in Sz 12 Fighter from Ger, Fighter from Northw., Sub from Sz 7
Attack on Egypt move Transport to Sz 15 1 Tank 1 Inf France, 1 Tank 1 Art 1 Inf Libya
Attack on Baltic States
Attack on East Poland
Attack on Ukraine

Noncombat moves:
2 Fighters land in France, 1 Fighter lands in Moroco, 1 Fighter 1 Bomber land in Norway
some minor force redeployment in Europe

Disadvantages: Fighter in Moroco out of combat range to russia; little reinforcements for the russian front, Egypt not conquered.
Advantages: UK out of european waters, german air force remains extremely strong, italian navy save

UK 2: Build 4 bombers (with the 8 IPCs you saved from turn one you should be able to do this)

UK starts with 43 IPC; 3 Bombers is 36 IPC, 7 IPC remain.
UK loses 10 to 13 IPC on its first round, depending on egypt; remaining IPC (loss = 10) 33 + 7 = 40 IPC
(Borneo, East Indies, Burma, Egypt, Trans-Jordan)