In Allied General, as in any wargame, you have to study the 
terrain, the victory requirements, and the units at your 
disposal before starting. When you start a new battle in 
Allied General, take time to look at the strategic map. 
There are several important things to make note of: First, 
white hexes are your high-value hexes, and must be 
adequately defended in order to win. 

More importantly, green hexes are the objectives. 
Not every city is an objective, so you have to see where 
the green hexes are and figure out the best way to get to 
them. Roads are essential to moving troops fast, and seizing 
control of important crossroads will gain you vital mobility. 
Some cities must be seized because they lay astride important 
crossroads, because their proximity threatens your lines, or 
because they are near important objectives and will be useful 
in producing and repairing units. Airfields are also important 
targets to capture where possible, because controlling the 
enemy's airports will limit their ability to use air power 
against you and give you increased air-strike abilities. 

Finally, you have to study the units you're given at the start 
of a game, the units you can buy, based on the historical period, 
and the possible upgrades. There are several important numbers 
associated with units, the most useful being experience, strength, 
and hard and soft attack. Defense ratings, initiative and - for 
units pushing deep into enemy territory - spotting ability are 
also important factors to consider. 

The composition of your forces is crucial, especially in campaign 
games. When you start a new battle, upgrade units wherever possible 
to the best currently available, and always use elite replacements. 
You'll want to build elite, over-strength units through replacement 
and successful battles. A tight selection of strong armor and 
advanced infantry (such as bridging or paratrooper infantry) 
should be the core of your group. A few 15-strength units can cut 
a swath through most opposition.