Rd1 I always build a complex in French Indo China. I get really nutty with complexes, so long as I can afford them. I usually have at least 4 transports and I cycle 2 each way to amphibious assault and speed up movement. And I always try and grab the spare men off of the islands. My buy on the mainland is almost always inf art tank in each area. I try to take Persia quick so I can build a complex in India asap. Moving into Russia from Persia and Sinkiang is the most cost effective route. I take the Russian NE as well but I dont contribute a lot of force in doing so.

Ive never tried it for those same reasons… IMO German planes are more cost effective than a fleet. Stacking 2 fighters with 10+ infantry defending an area is usually how I stall the Allies.

but in theory  –

Consider buying a navy rd 1 (carrier/cruiser) into sz15. Capture Gibraltar with the Med battleship/transport (strictly defensive move to stop the UK from sinking your battleship). Combine said battleship with your new fleet off of Western Europe and eventually back to sz15 to build the rest of your fleet and make sure your fighters/bomber are always in range of attacking. I usually keep all of my fighters in Germany to stop bombing raids and protect the coast. I’m assuming against an aggressive opponent you can bait them into invading Western Europe with a small force early, it sets you up to sink their fleet and invade the UK.
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Essentially the idea is to destroy the initial UK/US fleet before the US has a chance to reinforce it and as a bonus with the transports saved you delay them rebuilding it for a few rds because the UK is forced to defend against a small amphibious assault. If you dont take the gamble early by rd4 that UK/US fleet will be too strong for Germany to do anything about, and this whole strategy will probably be a bust though.

Pretty solid Veqryn. Something to consider though on slowing down the Japanese surge –

This is no way a KJF strategy because nearly all funds will be for the eastern US. 1-2 cruisers (depending on how well your subs did) for the pacific should be sufficient.

Keep the US pacific fleet in tact and eventually combine it with the SZ20 destroyer, UK SZ35 carrier/fighter (US Hawaii fighter lands on carrier later), and the SZ40 sub as strictly a defensive move. Strategic bomb Southern Europe with US bomber Rd2 and land it in the Caucasus.

For this strategy to be effective you have to capture a coastal Japanese island (preferably the Philippine Islands). First UK move, assault Borneo with 2 men. This disrupts a complex being built in French Indo-China because it puts Caucasus US bombers in range. But depending on where the Japanese build a complex later, the same strategy of taking the coastal island applies just move the bomber respectively after Japanese bombing run… Cruiser takes out the transport, and the carrier retreats to south africa.

Take the UK carrier through the bottom SZs staying out of range of being attacked by Japanese air power and combine with the US fleet as early as New Guinea (or the backside of Australia depending on where the Japanese fleet/bomber is). The UK carrier and sub will shadow all US assaults providing much needed defense. With the threat of US bombers hitting the Japanese fleet it creates a stalemate in the south pacific/indian oceans. If the Japanese attacks your fleet you’re going to lose but possibly be left with an open shot at Japanese transports. But if the US attacks the Japanese with everything you’re going to win.

As soon as you know you can’t hold off the Japanese off in Sinkiang or with your fleet anymore, get reserve vessels from the Mediterranean and take initiative.

Pros:
Nostalgia (it’s a good enough reason for me)
The starting allied forces get involved in the war quicker.
IPCs… It’s a nice bonus.
Effective at manipulating where the Japanese can use assaults in the indian ocean.

Cons:
US has to build an Atlantic fleet to compensate.
UK is low on Persian/Indian infantry. (Japanese battleships assaulting the coast theyre dead men walking anyway)

Everything else has worked for me. Although I stress the importance of the Russians going after Norway rd1 because getting that German fighter out of the game is pretty big.