AHC: Franco with the Allies

Okay, so I assume everyone here is pretty well versed that one of the reasons Franco didn't side with Hitler was because of how badly that would have screwed the Spanish economy, but what about the other way? Is there any possibility that in mid-late 1943 or early 1944 that Franco could quietly get in touch with the Allies and get them to agree to using Spain as a jumping-off point if they got enough Lend-Lease to help rebuild their economy?
 
Blair and I played with this in Failure Before Moscow, the Allies launch Sledgehammer in 1942 and bring Franco in to invade the south of France with his American supplied Civil War veterans.

Although in OTL Spain did offer to send another 'Blue Division' to help against the Japanese in the Pacific, after the remaining Spaniards in the Philippines began to suffer mistreatment.
 
There would probably be senior Allied officials receptive to such an offer, but in the popular mind Franco was too associated with the Axis for the public to accept it. The Allied leaders came under heavy domestic criticism for arranging a deal with Admiral Darlan during Operation Torch. It showed people did not want to collaborate with anyone tainted with working with the Axis. By 1944, it was obvious the Allies did not need help from Spain to win the war. Agreeing to include Franco in the Allies would give them little advantage while leading to immense criticism at home. FDR especially would be reluctant given the upcoming 1944 elections.

If there was no Darlan deal to give the Allies warning that any deals with fascists would be unpopular, then perhaps Franco could join.

It's also possible he could have joined in 1942 at the time of Operation Torch, although at that time it would probably be too much of a gamble for Franco since the war seemed to be very much in doubt.
 
The Italian government was allowed to carry on as a ally after the September 43 surrender. There was contempt, but a 'toleration'. So, Spain would have had some acceptance as a ally. Certainly everyone to the left of Roosevelt would have had heartburn with it, but they have got on with the main event.
 
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