https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=304673
In reality, Italy joined the Axis in WW2. While unlikely and not a frequent topic, this examines the consequences of an Allied Fascist Italy [with a pod of 1939].
The timeline would be more narrative compared to the chronological format of the above.
Although Mussolini,the fascist dictator of Italy since his coup d’état in 1922 and had strong imperialist ambitions for Italy, his initial policy towards Germany, including Nazi Germany, was with contempt and dislike for the German threat. He in fact, supported Fascist Austria as a bulwark against Nazi Germany initially. But, by launching of a war of aggression against Abyssinia in 1935, relations between both France and Britain on one hand and Italy on the other had deteriorated after this war and Italy became closer to Berlin and leading to the formation of Berlin-Rome Axis, an unofficial alliance between Nazi-Germany and Fascist Italy. Jealous of the successes of his colleague, Mussolini invaded Albania to present him with a fait accompli for once.
On 1 September 1939, WW2 began with the Nazi invasion of Poland. The Germans, since the Treaty of Versailles, had longed for reclaiming lost lands and avenge the humiliations of the treaty inflicted on them by the Entente. The Nazis, who ruled Germany since 1933, wanted to solve German land and economic problems and despite their bigotry, proved popular among the Germans. They retook the Rhineland, Austria and Czechoslovakia. Initially, Britain and France tolerated and agreed to Hitler's actions, but after invading Czechoslovakia, became less trustworthy of Hitler.
Within 2 days of the Nazi invasion of Poland , Britain and France, who were treaty bound to assist Poland, declared war on Nazi Germany. As German forces clashed across the western Polish border, invaded from East Prussia and the Carpathians and Tatras with limited aid from Slovakian forces to the south, Mussolini watched. German forces pulled off mass encirclements and after the Soviet attack on September 17th, Poland was doomed since their retreat to the ‘Romanian Bridgehead’ to await Anglo-French reinforcements became impossible with the need to defend eastern Poland and Soviet attempts at cutting off the Polish Army remnants from the south. In October, Polish forces were defeated on the Vistula river and Warsaw fell into German hands. Poland had been defeated in little over five weeks, a major military success and a blow to Britain and France.
However, events over the next few months would change Mussolini's mind. Ironically, he would be fighting for the democracies rather than for his ally.
[1st pod would be the Pact of Steel is delayed in signing.]
In reality, Italy joined the Axis in WW2. While unlikely and not a frequent topic, this examines the consequences of an Allied Fascist Italy [with a pod of 1939].
The timeline would be more narrative compared to the chronological format of the above.
Although Mussolini,the fascist dictator of Italy since his coup d’état in 1922 and had strong imperialist ambitions for Italy, his initial policy towards Germany, including Nazi Germany, was with contempt and dislike for the German threat. He in fact, supported Fascist Austria as a bulwark against Nazi Germany initially. But, by launching of a war of aggression against Abyssinia in 1935, relations between both France and Britain on one hand and Italy on the other had deteriorated after this war and Italy became closer to Berlin and leading to the formation of Berlin-Rome Axis, an unofficial alliance between Nazi-Germany and Fascist Italy. Jealous of the successes of his colleague, Mussolini invaded Albania to present him with a fait accompli for once.
On 1 September 1939, WW2 began with the Nazi invasion of Poland. The Germans, since the Treaty of Versailles, had longed for reclaiming lost lands and avenge the humiliations of the treaty inflicted on them by the Entente. The Nazis, who ruled Germany since 1933, wanted to solve German land and economic problems and despite their bigotry, proved popular among the Germans. They retook the Rhineland, Austria and Czechoslovakia. Initially, Britain and France tolerated and agreed to Hitler's actions, but after invading Czechoslovakia, became less trustworthy of Hitler.
Within 2 days of the Nazi invasion of Poland , Britain and France, who were treaty bound to assist Poland, declared war on Nazi Germany. As German forces clashed across the western Polish border, invaded from East Prussia and the Carpathians and Tatras with limited aid from Slovakian forces to the south, Mussolini watched. German forces pulled off mass encirclements and after the Soviet attack on September 17th, Poland was doomed since their retreat to the ‘Romanian Bridgehead’ to await Anglo-French reinforcements became impossible with the need to defend eastern Poland and Soviet attempts at cutting off the Polish Army remnants from the south. In October, Polish forces were defeated on the Vistula river and Warsaw fell into German hands. Poland had been defeated in little over five weeks, a major military success and a blow to Britain and France.
However, events over the next few months would change Mussolini's mind. Ironically, he would be fighting for the democracies rather than for his ally.
[1st pod would be the Pact of Steel is delayed in signing.]
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