Yep, even after so much time I'm also learning new aspects.
Imho the Baku oil fields are the best to access, mainly coming from Rostov and Grozny.
But it still takes some time and it requires a dedicated thrust with a considerable force in that direction. The northern flank of that thrust is much easier to defend at the Volga between Stalingrad and Astrakhan. Also helps to defeat the units there before they come after you.
Even with such a commitment Baku is usually more like a mid game goal than an early target.
But the fuel issues for your airforce experience get much worse over time, so getting two more oil fields is very valuable in the long run.
Ah, yep, the flag hunting and recapturing and so on. Every bit helps and those can be fun command raids.
I'll have to try Scapa Flow, that would be historic!
I think planes have an extremely low chance of destroying a mine. On the other hand the mine does not shoot back at an aircraft. Destroyers are much faster but more expensive. As far as I remember the mines being expensive or time consuming to clear is intentional. As it simulates the considerable investment necessary for such an invasion.
Malta should be doable with 2 aircraft attacks per turn, as long as those aircraft have high hard attack. Eg by aircraft type, class (tac bomber), experience bonus and of course attack heroes.
I'm not sure if the Ju 87 has the fortkiller trait in Battlefield Europe. Probably not?