A 3-Way War?

Imagine this scenario: Three countries that are of semi-equal strength start to fight a 3-way war, and that each of the three is fighting the other two! How could such a scenario come around, and how would it work out?
Discuss.
 
The only scenario I could think of its that the Allies raid Baku and send reinforcements to Finland, operating under the assumption that the Soviet Union is an Axis power.

Assuming Hitler doesn't postpone Barbarossa in such circumstances (that would be the sensible thing, but when would that stop Hitler?) and a rapprochment is impossible for whatever reason, WWII could devolve into a three way mess between the Western Allies, the Axis, and the USSR.
 
Its inevitable that either the two strongest powers gang up on the weakest, or the two weaker powers work together to beat back the strongest.
 
Its inevitable that either the two strongest powers gang up on the weakest, or the two weaker powers work together to beat back the strongest.

The third option is the weakest signs up with the strongest because if it does not, it is dead meat.

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The general proposition is a difficult one because each country is required to fight on two fronts and sensible leaders tend to avoid that.

On the other hand, if we take the Scottish invasion in 1315 and throw in another invasion of Scotland under northern barons with an Irish Revolt against the English we get the English and the Scottish fighting along their border, the English trying to put down a revolt in Ireland and the Irish (historically) resisting what they see as another foreign invasion.

On OTL the war lasted three years. However, if Edward is not killed and decides to maintain his kingship, it could easily run on for a few more years.
 
have a multiethnic country. Balkans are best area for that. This country is at first part of larger state. Then have ideology that is pillar of that larger state collapse and ethnic groups start fighting.

Or do it easier way, place this in Middle East and voila, you have instant mixture of religion, politics and so on. Sure thing.
 
The Thirty Years' War was messed up all sorts of ways. I wouldn't be surprised if at some point in it a three-way war began between God alone knows.
 
i think the nearest would be if there was another war in europe between the UK, France and Germany.
If nuclear wepons were not used then it would be a stalemate i think
but its is unlikeley to happen becuse of the E.u and NATO eg
 
The only scenario I could think of its that the Allies raid Baku and send reinforcements to Finland, operating under the assumption that the Soviet Union is an Axis power.

Assuming Hitler doesn't postpone Barbarossa in such circumstances (that would be the sensible thing, but when would that stop Hitler?) and a rapprochment is impossible for whatever reason, WWII could devolve into a three way mess between the Western Allies, the Axis, and the USSR.
I have always wondered why France and Britain declared war against Germany after its invasion of Poland, but did not declare war on the USSR.

So lets say that France and Britain do just that; the day they declare war against Hitler they also declare war against Stalin. And unless there is major ASB action, I would say that the Phony War period in this TL is almost exactly like ours. Do Hitler and Stalin come to some agreement, or even allies? The first impact would be the US lend-lease program; nothing for the Russians while their 'portion' goes to the UK.

After running through the Low Countries and the fall of France, does Hitler even consider looking to the East?
 
IMO, there is hardly any way for a 3-way free-for-all war to happen among superpowers - everyone probably realises that a two-front war is an extremely inconvenient position to be in, even if your adversaries all have the same problem. And if the war happens among three regional powers (or even a 3-way civil war, e.g. Spanish civil war among fascists, communists and royalists), the winning side will be the one to get most major power support.
 
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