1.) I understand both sides of the debate... both Bo, and Alex. Could easily argue for either. I don't know much about... well, much!
but I do know that every solo game I've tried (as Axis) I've had to war against the Minor Axis WAY to early in the game (and I note as we speak, that 'Italy' has launched pre-emptive strike into Germany in game #2 on what, game turn '20-something?' They are even an annoyance to me playing solo, prior to war. For example, marching south through the Balkans, clearing out the defensive units, only to have some Axis minor unit (not involved) move into and occupy a key city that was cleared out by and, basically, German the next turn. Thus, unnacceptably 'cutting' German advancement further south (roads!), neccessitating Germany to declare war, just to remove them. As such, they've become (in this instance) from a MINOR Axis, to a MAJOR hindrance. ***Anyway, I don't profess to state anything definatively. Who knows if one, or both, Minor's should be played by humans? But, like I said previously, I'd be willing to play allied France in the next game. I'm confident that, regardless of whether or not I prevent Germany from over-running France, it would be I who was Germany's destruction. The cost to Germany of trying to move through human controlled France, I think, would be just to much, even 'years' before worrying about the Soviet onslaught. But... I DO NOT KNOW the answer. It's just my thoughts, and we can find out. Personally, I do not see myself tiring of this scenario any time soon!
2.) I believe that it is the Soviet player that would start the thread/first turn.
3.) AWAW1.2, downloaded and installed, is crashing out on me (SMEDS error, 'memal' error of some sort). However, I have been putting BOTH patches into the game. From what I've read above, Bo, would this be the cause? Apparently, you state I should simply load AWAW1.2, PERIOD, with no patches?
edited 'P.S.': I suppose that we could make Spain 'neutral' with some agreed upon thing like neither Axis nor Allies using, landing, whatever, to reflect real life? 'Twas no great secret who Spain supported 'behind the scenes' in real life, anyway. Perhaps something as easy as 'No troop movements/attacks OUT of Spain, UNLESS any allied invasion (landing) or movement (invasion) into Spain? This way, there wouldn't be a real concern of Axis troops headed north into southern France turn #1, and also (possibly) prevents the USA from simply moving into Portugal and commencing a 'free' buildup of forces in the Eurpean theatre?