A Time of Old Friendships, and Old Rivalries 2.0

I felt like I needed to restart this, in the first version DuQuense brought up some good points that I couldn't deny or change, and so I'm going to redo it as I know a few people liked it. I hope this second version will be less wank and ASB - ish. It will start of relatively similar to my first versions, though there will be a few tweaks and odd little changes.
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1925

July

In the book 'Mein Kampf', Hitler spells out his future plans for Germany. In which he specifies the hopeful alliance between the British Empire, Bulgaria and the Kingdom of Hungary. He also notes about how Yugoslavia is both an ally and enemy, Hitler writes of how the government and monarchy of Yugoslavia has been "taken over by Jewry and the disgusting Serbs and Montenegrins".

1935

April

A month after Nazi German dictator Adolf Hitler begins the reconstruction of the German Army and the Luftwaffe the Hungarian Prime Minister, Gyula Gömbös declared the Hungarians project for also destroying the 'Treaty of Trianon' and recreating an army and an effective air force. Hitler and Gömbös hold various meetings over the next month in order for help to be given to one another. Gömbös also begins to swing his allegiance with Italy towards Germany, whom he envisaged would be able to support him in the future.

October

The Duce of Italy, Mussolini, declares war on Abyssinia and begins the invasion of the African nation. The French and British allow for him to invade as they wish for Italy to be a potential ally against Germany.

December

Mussolini accepts the 'Hoare-Laval Pact'. Soon after, the Pact is put into action and the Abyssinian government is forced to accept it due to the sea route they gain. Though when the plan is implemented Italian troops blockade the sea-route, the Abyssinians cry out about this but it falls on deaf ears in Britain and France. Hitler and Szálasi denounced the Italian Invasion of Abyssinia however, and said that Britain and France had helped 'sell-out' the African nation to Italy.

1937

May

After Prime Minister Kálmán Darányi of Hungary bans the 'Party of National Will', the leader Ferenc Szálasi was outraged, and he and his relatively young fascist party rose up in what would later become known as the 'March on Budapest'. Szálasi and around 35,000 members of the party marched to Budapest, and when they reached the capital of Hungary, Regent Miklós Horthy broke and declared Ferenc Szálasi to be the new Prime Minister of Hungary. While this was going on the Hungarian fascist party managed to turn the troops stationed around the city on the current PM, and thus in a matter of hours Kálmán Darányi was arrested, and Szálasi declared himself as 'The Leader'.

June

The now-Prime Minister Ferenc Szálasi calls an election, in which through violence, oppression and horror tactics leads to the 'Party of National Unity' becoming the winning party by a landslide. Soon after, Szálasi sets about making his role in government more and more authoritarian, much in the same way Hitler had. Jenő Szöllősi, the deputy PM, himself once said how Hungary had become 'Germany Mark 2', in the sense that Hungary had gone many of the transformations Germany had before it went into a fascist government.

Map_of_Hoare-Laval_Pact.jpg


Hoare-Laval Pact.

2_016a89f4f9496105efda0a64da5553ca_1.jpg


Prime Minister Ferenc Szálasi of Hungary.

Note: The Anti-Comintern Pact isn't signed between Japan and Germany ITTL due to Japan being in the Entente in the First World War.
 
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1937

July

The Hungarian Prime Minister and German Führer make a Pact in reaction to the 'Communist International, the pact was called the 'Anti-Comintern Pact'. It was a defense pact against 'communist' nations (primarily the Soviet Union).

August

Not long after the A-C Pact was created, the Kingdom of Hungary was changed. It became the 'Hungarian State', and was under President Szálasi as a fascist dictatorship. Not long after Szálasi signed the 'Iron Pact' [1], in which Germany and Hungary were drawn into a mutual-defensive pact and military alliance.

1938

March

- In Austria the government is facing a crisis. On the one hand they have Germany and Hungary giving Kurt Schuschnigg (Chancellor of Austria) an ultimatum, in which they threatened invasion if he did not hand power over to the Austrian National Socialist Party. While on the other hand they had Italy backing them up, and Mussolini saying that if an invasion of Austria occurred, then Italy would "fall upon Germany like a ton of bricks". The Chancellor finally made the decision to allow the Austrian National Socialist Party to take control, he did this in order to stop any bloodshed of Austrian citizens. President Wilhelm Miklas accepted Arthur Seyss-Inquart as being the new Chancellor.

- A referendum was held on the independence of Austria, and through a system of scare tactics and a lack of privacy the result was overwhelmingly in favour of Anschluss with Germany. Very soon after which, a peaceful transferral of the Hungarians living in a section of Austria that used to belong to Hungary occurred.

- After the Anschluss occurred, Mussolini called for France and Britain to declare on Germany due to the territorial expansion of Germany and the destruction of the Austrian state. This request fell on deaf ears, and thus Mussolini backed off, grudgingly.

September

- The Munich Agreement is held. In this meeting the French, British, Germans and Hungarians agreed that Germany would be allowed to annex the Sudentland. The Czechoslovakian government was given the option to either surrender to the Munich Agreements terms, or they would begin hostilities alone with Germany and Hungary.

- The Czechoslovakian government contacts the members of the 'Little Entente', and requests help from them. The Romanians, seeing an opportunity with Hungary who's army they still think they could beat, agree to support the Czechoslovakians. The Yugoslavians, noting that the Italians seem to be anti-Germany at this point, believe that Italy won't try anything on them. Thus they declare their support for Czechoslovakia also. With the Little Entente on their side, the Czechoslovakians refuse the Munich Agreement and denounce it as the "Munich Betrayal".

- Thus, with the Czechoslovakian refusal to accept the Munich Agreement, Germany and Hungary declare war on Czechoslovakia. In return the Romanians and Yugoslavians declare war on both Germany and Hungary. Britain and France stay out of this conflict, and the Czechoslovakians use this as a further example of the "betrayal" of France who had a mutual-protection pact with all three 'Little Entente' powers.

- With the 'Third Balkan War' starting, Mussolini was perplexed as to what his next move should be. He disliked that his neighbor Germany had grown powerful rapidly, and now posed a threat to Italy. He knew that the improved militaries of Germany and Hungary could defeat even the combined forces of Yugoslavia, Romania and Czechoslovakia. He also knew that if Italy joined the war in favour of the 'Little Entente' that he could prove to be a huge problem for Germany. But on the other hand if he wished to see his vision of a 'Greater Italy' come true he knew he needed to rid Yugoslavia from the Adriatic coast, and if he joined the war in favour of Germany and Hungary he could easily do this, but this would mean allying himself with Hitler. He knew that either way he went, there would be missed opportunities along the way. Thus he chose to go neither way for the moment.

[1] This is basically the 'Pact of Steel' but with Hungary instead of Italy.

Map of Current Alliances in Third Balkan War​

Dark Grey: Iron Pact
Light Grey: Nations that may be inclined to attack the 'Little Entente'

Dark Green: Little Entente
Light Green: Nations that may be inclined to attack the 'Iron Pact'

Murky Green: Nations that could go either way

fpchn5.png
 
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I doubt if Poland would have been so eager to attack Little Entente. Yes, there was Tesin problem, but frankly, for Polish government in 1938 it was more a propaganda case. Attacking Czechoslovakia means attacking Romania - the only Polish neighbour Poles had really good relations with. It also means conflict with Italy - Poland had quite good relations with Italians in 1930s. Also, it makes Poland allied to Germany, which was NOT in Polish interest and is against Piłsudski's policy. Getting a small territory from a state that is not willing to fight and has no friends whatsoever is one thing. Joining a full scale war, against your old ally, on your old enemy's side, just for a small piece of land - that is something totally different. The war would have been too costly, politically and economically, with very small potential gains. Even Polish pre-war government was not THAT stupid. Poland most probably would sit, watch the fireworks, send some observers and try to sell food and some weapons to Little Entente (Germany wouldn't want Polish stuff).
 
I doubt if Poland would have been so eager to attack Little Entente. Yes, there was Tesin problem, but frankly, for Polish government in 1938 it was more a propaganda case. Attacking Czechoslovakia means attacking Romania - the only Polish neighbour Poles had really good relations with. It also means conflict with Italy - Poland had quite good relations with Italians in 1930s. Also, it makes Poland allied to Germany, which was NOT in Polish interest and is against Piłsudski's policy. Getting a small territory from a state that is not willing to fight and has no friends whatsoever is one thing. Joining a full scale war, against your old ally, on your old enemy's side, just for a small piece of land - that is something totally different. The war would have been too costly, politically and economically, with very small potential gains. Even Polish pre-war government was not THAT stupid. Poland most probably would sit, watch the fireworks, send some observers and try to sell food and some weapons to Little Entente (Germany wouldn't want Polish stuff).

Thanks for the input :) But Poland isn't going to war. That colouring of Poland is just to show that it could be possible for the Polish to attack, as in due to Tesin. Sometimes I will put in things like that that may have no significant bearing, but just to give the reader some idea of who has some tension with neighbours.
 
1938

October

- German troops clash with Czechoslovakian troops along the border, the troops do best along the previous Austro-Czech border. This is due to the under-developed defensive line along the Austrian border. By the end of the month German troops have slowly pushed in eastwards but have cut the nation in half from Austria.

- On the eastern side of Czechoslovakia the Hungarians have faced a worse challenge, though thanks to their rearmament program alongside the Germans program the situation was much better than what it could've been. By the end of the month Hungarian troops have made it about halfway up the Slovak border.

- Along the Hungarian borders with Yugoslavia and Romania the Hungarians are putting up strong defensive positions, this is alongside the German border with Yugoslavia. Both nations wish to wait for Czechoslovakia to give in at which point they will turn their attention to the rest of the 'Little Entente'.

- In Bulgaria talks are held between the German and Hungarian ambassadors and Tsar Boris III occurred, in which they tried to convince the Tsar to send his nation to war with Romania. The Tsar dithered and eventually said no to the two nations. Though Germany and Hungary hoped he would change his decision once Hungary began to put on an offensive front against the Romanians.

- In Greece more discussions are held, between the 'Little Entente' ambassadors and the Greek King George II, whom they hoped would at least try and support the Little Entente war effort. Again though, their negotiations came to no avail and the Greeks stayed neutral.

- In Italy, Mussolini still dithered as to whether or not he should invade Yugoslavia. Though he chose a different course of action, and looked at Albania as a possible course of action. Allowing his vision of a 'Greater Italy' to come about while not going to war with the 'Little Entente'.

November

- By the middle of November, Czechoslovakia has been completely overrun by Germany and Hungary. The two nations consolidate their occupied areas into an equal division of the Slovak region to Hungary, and the Czech region to Germany. Though the Czechoslovakian government set up a government-in-exile in Romania. The Germans position their available troops along the Yugoslavian border, while Hungary positions the densest amount of troops along the Romanian front, with a handful of divisions along the Yugoslavian front still. Though for the moment both nations are consolidating their situations after the Fall of Czechoslovakia.

- The Italians finally begin their invasion of Albania. By the end of November the kingdom had crumbled and King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy was crowned Victor I of Albania after King Zog I fled to Greece. Italian dictator Mussolini had secured a whole kingdom to add to the Italian Empire with relatively minor losses and was then stuck with the same problem as before, what was he to do about Yugoslavia?

- In Romania a large offense begins against the Hungarians, though the Hungarians fight valiantly against the Romanians and a kind of stale-mate occurs along the front, in which both sides are building up their resources in order to attack each other again.

- Yugoslavia is a completely different story, in which the Yugoslavian army is putting up heavy defensive lines along the German and Hungarian borders, simply to try and stop any encroachment on their territory by either enemies.

Territorial Map, 1938.png
 
1938

December

- Along the Hungarian-Romanian border a large and well trained Hungarian army begins to move forward. The German tactic of 'Blitzkrieging' is put to some good use and the much-improved Hungarian air force is used, alongside numerous tanks, to move through Romania at a quick pace, though at first they suffer some casualties due to the dense concentration of Romanian troops at the border.

- Along the German-Yugoslavian border the Germans also begin to make their move southwards, making good progress into Yugoslavia. The Hungarians promise to send oil to the Germans from the hopefully-soon-to-be-conquered Romanian oil fields in return for the Yugoslavian land that was viewed as being part of Greater Hungary.

1939

January

- With their main route into Yugoslavia (Trieste) almost being closed off by the German advance, and with the Stresa Front having failed, Mussolini makes his final decision. He sends an ultimatum to Yugoslavia demanding the immediate ceding of the land they have along the Adriatic sea to the Italian Empire. The Yugoslavians obviously deny this, and thus Mussolini sends his now mobilized army into Yugoslavia.

- The Yugoslavians go into talks with the Greeks again, desperate for another distraction against Italy. They request an invasion of Albania by Greece. The Greeks refuse though, knowing the Italians had at least an equal army to them.

- The Hungarians press further into Romania, though soon hit a standstill, with a dense Romanian army scoring some successes against the Hungarians around elevated ground.

- In Yugoslavia the German advance continues at a steady pace, while the Italians begin to score some successes along their small-ish border and make good headway into the country.

- While the 'Third Balkan War' rages on, the Polish fear for their own territorial integrity. The UK and France both contact Poland and the French strengthen their own military alliance with Poland, and the UK creates one. This is done due to fears over German expansionism that's being seen in the Balkan Wars, alongside Italian and Hungarian expansionism.

- With the Italian entry into the War, a question was now raised within Germany and Hungary: What would happen to Yugoslavia after/if the war was to be won? The most obvious solution was to simply dissolve the nation, and most parties got along with this idea. But the problem was that Italy still refused to work with Germany and Hungary in Yugoslavia. Mussolini looked upon the Italians as a kind of third belligerent in the war, and Hitler knew Mussolini would want some foolish treaty that ‘gave’ the Adriatic coastline to him. But Hitler wanted an independent, powerful and loyal Croatian nation next door to him and Hungary. This question would plague both German and Hungarian high command for months to come.
 
Map Showing Alliances from January, 1939

Dark Grey: Iron Pact

Light Grey: Kingdom of Italy and Albania

Dark Green: Little Entente

Territorial Map, 1938.png
 
1939

February

- All along the Yugoslavian Front the Yugoslav Royal Army collapsed time after time against the German and Italian armies. At which point the Hungarians sent a few divisions into Eastern Yugoslavia, and although they only sent a small number the Yugoslavians front collapsed there too. By the end of the month the 'Iron' and Italian forces had completely taken Belgrade, and though the Yugoslavian government had escaped further south, they voted for a peace by the first day of March.

- In Romania a large war continued, the Hungarians were pushing deeper, and Romania also looked on the verge of collapse, with the only thing halting the Hungarian advance being the Carpathian mountains. Though at this point another two powers got involved. In the north the Soviet Union attacked Romania to take Bessarabia, while Bulgaria was pressured in the south to invade the south of Romania, thus leading to a 3-way front for Romania.

March

- Romania finally collapses, being unable to keep up a three front war the nation voted for a peace with the Soviets, Bulgaria and Hungary. Soon after the 'Treaty of Amsterdam' is signed between the remnant governments of Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, the 'Iron' nations of Hungary and Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Romania and the Soviet Union.

Treaty of Amsterdam

  • The Kingdom of Yugoslavia and Republic of Czechoslovakia are to be disbanded
  • Czechoslovakia is to be partitioned between the German Reich and the Hungarian State
  • The land previously held by Yugoslavia was to be recreated into 2 separate nations, with various other sections of land being partitioned off to Italy, Germany and Hungary.
  • These nations would be the 'Independent State of Croatia' and Serbia under the 'Government of National Salvation'. Montenegro would be split between Croatia and Albania, while all the land previously held by Hungary before the Treaty of Trianon (except Croatia) would be ceded to Hungary. Various other sections of land were partitioned of to Italy, Germany, Albania and Bulgaria.[2] Notably a large section of the Dalmatian Coast to Italy.
  • Croatia was to be a puppet state under both Italy and Germany. Serbia was fully under Germany.
  • In Romania, various sections of land are ceded to Hungary, Bulgaria and the Soviet Union. Most notably Bessarabia went to the Soviets, while the pre-Trianon borders of the Kingdom of Hungary were ceded back to Hungary.
  • In Romania it 'Iron Guard' was placed as the ruling party in an 'Iron' puppet state.
  • Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Croatia all sign the 'Iron Pact' that previously only contained Germany and Hungary as signatories.
  • In a secret clause kept secret from Italy and the Soviets, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Croatia also signed the Anti-Comintern Pact.

- After the signing of the 'Treaty of Amsterdam', Greece under Ioannis Metaxas became an observer if the 'Iron Pact', though Metaxas refused to fully join due to his reliance on British support still.

- After the Treaty was signed, France and Britain spoke to the Polish president, reaffirming their commitment to keeping Polish territorial integrity.

- The Italians set about linking up the original Italian land with the new land on the Dalmatian coast that has been fully annexed by Italy. Railroads are being built already, while Hitler speaks out against this Dalmatian Coast Italian land, even though he signed the Treaty of Amsterdam previously.

April

- During the 'Italo-German Tensions', Britain and France looked on the situation with wary eyes. They didn't like the German expansionism that had been allowed to run riot during the Third Balkan War, but neither did they appreciate Mussolini's ever increasing expansionism, especially in Africa.

- Mussolini, in an expansionist mood, demanded plans be made for yet another invasion of Abyssinia, during which he hoped to fully take over Abyssinia through the use of poison gas. Soon the British and French governments catch wind of this, and they demand Mussolini back down. Mussolini flatly ignored their calls. Italo-French and British relations slip further.

- In Abyssinia, the French and British inform Emperor Haile Selassie I of the Italian plans. A mobilization within the Empire occurs, though the Abyssinian Emperor refuses to become some kind of Anglo-French Protectorate. Though he does accept an Anglo-Franco-Abyssinian Alliance, in which if Italy declares war on Abyssinia, he would also do the same to both France and Britain.

[2] - OTL Partitioning of Yugoslavia, except for OTL provinces of Lika Gacka and Vinodol Podgorje go to Italy also
 
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1939

May

- Mussolini, undeterred by the alliance, declares war on Abyssinia, using an excuse of a border skirmish (that was faked) in order to have a catalyst for war. Though Mussolini expected his troops to make huge gains, the Italian fighters instead faltered against a strong defense put up by Abyssinia. Soon after the stalling occurred, Mussolini allowed for poison gas to be employed in Abyssinia.

- Britain, France and Germany condemn the Italian invasion of Abyssinia, and create a trade embargo against Italy. Though this doesn't stop the Italians relentless slaughter of the Abyssinian people.

- With the nations of Western Europe being distracted for the moment with Italy, Stalin takes advantage of the political situation. He demands that military bases be set up in the Baltic nations, whom comply. Though, to Stalin's surprise, Britain and France warn Stalin of interfering in Finland at all, which makes Stalin back off slightly.

June

- In Abyssinia, Italian poison gas hits a Red Cross camp and causes huge casualties. This news is spread to newspapers in both France and Britain. Soon after the people call for war, and war they get. Britain and France declare war on the Italians and mobilization seriously kicks in at this point.

- After these declarations of war, Hitler makes a bold move. He also declares war on Italy, citing (false) accounts from South Tyrol residents whom complain of the harsh environments the Italians force them to face. While Britain and France dislike Germany expanding, they know that Germany will find it hard in a war against Italy, which would hopefully neutralize them for a while on the European stage.

- After Germany declares war on Italy, all other members of the Iron Pact also declare war on Italy, this included the jointly-ruled Croatia which was a puppet state of Italy and Germany.

- In Albania a huge uprising begins. While being supplied over-land by all Iron Pact members, and overseas by the Royal Navy, Albanian nationalists are put into rebellion against the Italian rule over them. Zog himself slips back into Albania, and acts as a political leader, being placed back on the throne as 'King Zog I' against the Italian King.

- In the North, Croatia (heavily supported by Germany) attacks the Italian Dalmatian coast, while Germany quickly cuts the land off over land, and the Royal Navy halts any landings by Italy over sea. Thus Dalmatia falls by the beginning of July.

- Over the Alps in the east, German troops begin to march into Italy, though slowly due to the mountainous territory. In the Western section of the Alps the French also march into Italy slowly.

- In Libya British and French troops slowly push into the colony from east and west. While in Italian East Africa, the Italian troops are fighting for survival now that poison gas use has been halted due to British and French troops now entering Abyssinia to help the natives.

- With the Italians fighting alone, with no allies, the Greeks also declare war on Italy, and with Royal Naval help they take some Italian islands in the Aegean Sea.
 
Umm, the soviets had guaranteed the czechs in 1938. Pretty sure the Hungarians are going down hard in this scenario.
 
My understanding was that The soviets offered aid if the Czech's decided to fight. How it would get there is of course another question. OTL Benes was not prepared to fight unless he had French backing. For the Little Entente to fight without guarantees of help from a major power would at least look pretty suicidal, which is why they didn't OTL. Whether it actually was is another question.

ITTL your POD is that Benes does decide to fight without the French, and convinces the little entente to help. In the circumstances you have outlined, i am pretty convinced the little entente would be getting help from the soviets. They can do so directly thru Rumania, even if the rumanians are wary of them. Certainly they can ship in huge amounts of gear even if the Rumanians won't allow soviet troops thru.


Even the threat of soviet intervention stops the truncation of Rumania and possibly Yugoslavia cold. There is no M-R pact yet, and the official soviet position is opposition to the Munich agreement, so the Germans have to watch the east as the soviets are not onside and unlike OTL will not necessarily sign off on German rearrangement of the Balkans.

ie.The rumanian's say, " don't push us too hard or we will invite the soviets in to help, because it is better to be a soviet satellite with a whole country, than a German-Hungarian one with half."

For Stalin it is a total diplomatic coup to back the little entente. If they win he has secured his western borders with friendly or semi-friendly states, at little cost. And the Soviets look like the defenders of the little guy doing it.
 
1939

July

- The German front stalls, heavily. Though the troops are veterans of the previous 'Third Balkans War', they have small supplies due to the invasion of Czechoslovakia. Weapons from the Czech factories are still being sent out to the frontlines in Italy. By the end of the month the Germans have been supplied to a relatively satisfactory condition. The Luftwaffe is currently in a heavy air war against the Italian Air Force, which is also dealing with the French Air Force.

- Along the French front the French also stall, but this is due to the French armies lack of experience mostly, especially in mountain fighting. Though some BEF reinforcements help the situation slightly.

- In Albania the Albanian rebels are still fighting a revolution against the Italians, who haven't been forced to exit the nation yet. Though scattered reinforcements from the 'Iron Pact' begin to make their way into Albania to fight the Italians there in a proper fight.

- Ironically the most successful areas of the war at this point are in both Africa and the Dalmatian Coast. The Croatian military (supported by the Germans) have managed to fully capture the Dalmatian Coastline. The Germans also managed to capture Trieste, a large victory in the so-far bleak war. While in Africa the British has taken almost the whole of eastern Libya, while the French have taken a half of western Libya.

August

- While the western 'capitalist' states were distracted, Stalin gave an ultimatum to Finland. Either they allow the Soviet Union to place a military base in Finland, or the Soviets will invade the nation. The Finnish, being a tough lot, refused totally any such possibility of military bases being placed in their territory. Thus not a day later, Stalin massed a large Red Army along the Finnish border, many of whom had fought in the 'Third Balkan War' against Romania. And a day after that the Red Army began to march into Finland.

- While Britain and France were utterly furious over this development, they couldn't do anything about it owing to the slow war with Italy at the moment. Though this invasion of FInland wouldn't be forgotten in the future.

- In Italy The Germans continued onwards, with the extra supplies finally making a small difference along the front. The major advances were along the north and southern sections of the front. The same was seen in the French advance, though with less movement.

- In Albania the rebellion reached a new ferocity, with large numbers of trained, veteran Hungarian troops now pouring into the revolt the Italian resolve couldn't stay for long. And soon the Italians were fleeing battle-after-battle, with the Royal Navy blocking any Italian supplies reaching Albania. The Italian troops had nowhere to run, with all neighboring nations at war with Italy. Thus by the end of August the Italian troops in Albania had surrendered, and soon Zog I was placed back on the Albanian throne. Albania didn't immediately declare war on Italy, neither did it join the 'Iron Pact' or Entente either. King Zog I did this mainly to secure his nations economic and infrastructure recovery.

- The Greeks, with the support of the Royal Navy, manage to land successfully on Rhodes. They take the island by the end of the month with ferocious fighting from both sides. This was another failure on the Italians side, and questions were being raised as to whether Mussolini could win this war.

- In Libya there is little movement from either side. Though in Abyssinia the Italians are completely kicked out, in numerous embarressing defeats. Also the Italian Somalia and Eritrea fell to French and British forces in more embarressing defeats incurred on the Italian armies.

Territorial Map, 1939.png
 
On your map you have all the major ports of Libya in British or French hands.

How precisely is there a stalemate when the Italians have no food, fuel or ammunition?
 
On your map you have all the major ports of Libya in British or French hands.

How precisely is there a stalemate when the Italians have no food, fuel or ammunition?

Not really a stalemate, the British and French are just consolidating their gains for the moment. With British forces being used in Italian East Africa, Italian Aegean Sea islands and also to help the French front along the Alps. The French are concentrating on the Alps. Also troops are being put aside for another theater of war that'll open up in the next update. The movements in Libya will continue soon. Also, the African theater of war is a minor thing in this war, and I'm not good on geography. In all honesty I just drew the lines a tad randomly there because it isn't even a major theater of war with Europe being the focus in this TL.
 
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