German Overview

Germany faces a lot more questions on her first move. German strength at the outset of the game is unmatched by any of the Allies’ players. This plays heavily into the early stages of the war. Although their military might is great, Germany must use this strength to accomplish three critical areas: defend its western and northern front from a British landing; counterattack and push Soviet forces at the Eastern front; and maintain its naval superiority in the Mediterranean, Baltic and Atlantic.
A successful British amphibious assault on either Norway or Western Europe could prove to be devastating to German success and would greatly hinder any eastern expansion by the Reich. For this reason, Germany must provide ample defense in these areas to thwart any such attack while still producing and sending troops to the front lines in the east. German non-combat movement is equally important to combat movement; this is the German plight, to precisely play this balancing act that proved to be too much for even Hitler to accomplish.




Areas where Germany is vulnerable to a British amphibious attack





Like the Soviet Union Germany does in fact have two ways to approach its combat move either attack or not. Unlike the Soviets the decision is not very difficult to make, the Soviets have left Karelia nearly undefended and this alone warrants combat to take over Karelia and gain back the two IPC’s. Two other combat moves against the Soviets are either trying to take back Western Russia or attacking Caucasus. Of these two spaces the Caucasus have the most to gain with one Soviet industrial complex however the Soviets have left the Caucasus well defended and would prove to be nearly impossible to take over. Western Russia is also well defended but with the amount of German resources available seems like a viable option for takeover. Another combat option for the Germans is at sea in the Mediterranean, a German battleship and transport are sandwiched between a British cruiser and destroyer. The battleship has the option of engaging either of these ships and has a high probability of sinking either. If Germany decides to combat the cruiser a German U-boat has the option of joining the battle and getting one sneak attack. In Africa Germany has the option of combating British forces in Anglo Egypt-Sudan but with a stronger British force the Germans will likely hold off.
With so many areas of focus for the Germans purchasing is critical. A good strategy is to focus a little bit on all areas (land, air & sea). With a good amount of purchasing power the Germans have many options. I will post the German’s move next.