Yugoslavia joins the axis

[wiking]

What if there was no coup in Yugoslavia? The king manages to keep the country pacified and promises to keep the country out of the war proper, but maintain friendly terms with the Germans. He lets them drive through the country to aid the italians, but he contributes no combatants to this or any campaign. The rest of the invasion of Greece continues like OTL. The Barbarossa is an extra week early as the situation is resolved even quicker in the Balkans.

How does this affect the North African theater and how to the extra troops released from having to garrison Yugoslavia affect the Eastern Front?

[Panzerwhere?]

I think as the war progressed, most of the garrison troops in coutry were Italian and other satelites. Not sure that Barbarrossa a week earlier would make much difference, but not having to deal with Yugoslavia could allow the invasion of Greece so early that the British don't send troops. Possibbly no Crete.

[Max Sinister]

If there's no Crete, Germany will have more paratroopers left. I wonder where they could use them in Russia. And Yugoslavia might send some troops against the SU too. And besides, Serbia was occupied by Germany, not Italy.

[DuQuense]

On the shore of Lake Ladoga, Leningrad had political significance as the city named for the founder of the Russian Revolution, but it also had military significance as it prevented the Germans from sweeping around the north of Russia and attacking Moscow from behind.

The population of Leningrad turned out shortly after the invasion and dug antitank ditches around the city. Two hundred thousand Red Army defenders protected 3,000,000 inhabitants.

Within weeks of crossing the border, the Germans cut the Leningrad-Moscow railway and the Germans advanced on the city. The attack failed and the Nazi Generals appealed to Hitler to start a siege, so panzer units badly needed elsewhere could be released.

Hitler readily agreed on September 29, 1941. Furthermore, he ordered that the city be reduced so that the Germans would not have to feed its population. Relentless shelling and air raids began and lasted for the next 872 days.

A week earlier and the tank defenses aren't as complete, Germany moves faster, and the city falls, this opens a northern route to Moscow. with no Crete Hitler approves the plan to drop Paratroopers behind Moscow to cut the rail lines. without supplies from the East, Moscow falls.

[Gladi]

Originally Posted by DuQuense

A week earlier and the tank defenses aren't as complete

Bright day
Ahem, week earlier invasion - week earlier start of fortifications.

[Landshark]

Originally Posted by Panzerwhere?

I think as the war progressed, most of the garrison troops in coutry were Italian and other satelites. Not sure that Barbarrossa a week earlier would make much difference, but not having to deal with Yugoslavia could allow the invasion of Greece so early that the British don't send troops. Possibbly no Crete.

No British troops sent to Greece so they stay in Africa inflicting damage on the Italians.

[Wendell]

There will be no wartime "Independent State of Croatia" in this timeline.

[arctic warrior]

Originally Posted by Panzerwhere?

I think as the war progressed, most of the garrison troops in coutry were Italian and other satelites. Not sure that Barbarrossa a week earlier would make much difference, but not having to deal with Yugoslavia could allow the invasion of Greece so early that the British don't send troops. Possibbly no Crete.

Why no Crete? No German attack or no British/Commonwealth defence? Or do you see a Independent Crete??

Why not a defeat on Crete for the Germans! With no or less British/Commonwealth involvement in mainland Greece the base could be stepped up in Crete giving the Brits/Comm. more troops to defend the island. Churchill was very determined to send aid to Greece to show allied determination to defend any adversary of Hitler. If Greece falls without British troops managing to get into the fray, Churchill go for Crete.