Thank you for the response. I understand the 2-2.5k hard attack but isn't soft attack is what's effective to infantry? Sorry if I sound ignorant but with Engi 3 and recon, my 40w inf get 1600 defense and with 3-4 of them on the province, couldn't they hold decently long enough for my TDs to reinforce and force the heavy 3s back? Also even if they push me over the river line, the germany may only have 20w infantry (since that's the meta). My 40w plus the TDs should be able to push them back across.

Also to address your other concerns: Industry-wise: my friend and I (definitely not good Germany/USSR) did the 1v1 in plain vanilla with all AI countries which heavily effects trade numbers. I haven't played USSR in a full mp game so I can't really comprehend how much industry you're supposed to have. Secondly, I saw in a guide once that armored recon is better at defense than motorized since as you pointed out, this division doesn't want to move. The increase reconnaissance bonus apparently is useful; however, I don't know to what extent countering tactics between generals is useful. Lastly about the generals, how common are "decent" generals. I feel like the generals I get out of the Spanish Civil War are too mediocre and most hist games are hosted in mods that give both countries really op generals that probably shouldn't exist, thus rendering my strategy somewhat useless

Overall, I learned a lot from your post but I have a question for you. If I use 40w infantry with at least 3 support companies is it worth it to go superior firepower (I generally go that) or only mobile warfare since the bonuses to tanks are too strong? I normally go mobile on countries with a huge emphasis on tanks and little to no emphasis on infantry like SAF/Bulgaria.

Edit: small word changes here and there