Okay, so how does one form. It seems to me that the beginning is innocuous. Austria and Germany almost ignore each other as they establish themselves along separate lines.
Here is one beautiful Anschluss.
http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?
gameID=169926#gamePanel
I should totally have been killed off in this one. I actually jumped in (as England) to save Germany. This was a result of press from Austria warning me of the dangers Russia posed to both of us. I played my part well, and was literally shocked when Germany got back on his feet and opted (it appeared to me) to favor Austria over my alliance. Germany became very concerned about my chances for a solo & (I thought) hooked me into committing troops in the north that I could have put to better use in the south
Austria for his part, made me believe at one point that he had reconsidered hitting Italy. This caused me to hold off for a turn that proved to be pivotal in his conquest of Italy.
All of this ended up with me feverishly trying to hold two forces off with the sinking feeling that I was just one or two units shy of what I needed to hold off The Anschluss.