Furthermore, if a
skilled player out-maneuvers a less skilled one, it will have a greater
effect. For example, if Germany masses in the Ukraine they will likely
draw Russian forces to Stalingrad. Germany can then capture West
Russia, and be on Moscow’s doorstep. The Soviets will send
everything they can to defend their capitol but, their infantry will
not make it, and they will not be able to afford many new ones to place
in Moscow, leaving their high value pieces vulnerable. With high value
pieces harder to replace, this could spell total disaster for the
Allies.
Historical Context:
The game officially opens on June 1, 1942. At this point every country
but the United States was fully mobilized. They continued to call up
new recruits throughout the war, but these were barely enough to
replace the casualties being suffered. Those casualties, in turn,
represented a relatively small proportion of the forces in the field.
On the rare occasion that a large force was lost, it was devastating.
For example, the Wermarch never fully recovered from the loss of the
Sixth Army at Stalingrad.
Historical Context: While the largest proportion of naval power remained in large task forces, convoys, usually escorted by a small number of cruisers and/or destroyers, were often formed to transfer/distribute resources as needed.