AHC: Keep Italy out of the Axis

Cook

Banned
Actually there was. Prior to a 1938 agreement with Italy, Germany claimed south Tyrol as being part of Austrian, and hence German, territory.
The South Tyrol is Italian territory that was claimed by Austria (And hence Germany), not the other way around. Hitler gave up the claim to the South Tyrol in return for Mussolini’s acquiescence to the Anschluss in 1938. Prior to 1938 Mussolini had been the guarantor of Austrian independence.

When Italy was occupied by the Germans in 1943 the South Tyrol was incorporated into the Reich and Italian speaking people there persecuted.
 

Esopo

Banned
What cook said. Also, already in 1923 Hitler had gave up the south tirol claim. It was one of the main points about nazi appeasement policy with italy.
 
I c'ant really see Germany loosing in the low countries without significant changes.But if it was harder say France falling in late november 1940 this is probably enough for Italy not to declare war on Britain.Then in spring 1941 Italy invades Yugoslavia will Britain declare war on Italy? Probably not- until the Germans get involved.
 
It's common belief is that Hitler and Mussolini were best friends
But the truth is Hitler misused Mussolini, just as chessfigure in his Powergames
And Mussolini had in begin little regard for Hitler, only later he became Hitler fanatic follower

But WI the first meeting Mussolini and Hitler in Venice 1934 end in a diplomatic Disaster ? (OTL almost happend thanks unprepared Hitler)
because the Nazis had assassinated Mussolini friend and ally, Engelbert Dollfuss the Austrofascist dictator of Austria in 1933.
And Hitler hash demands for South Tyrol become part of The third Reich
What Mussolini assessment is affirms: "I don't like the look of him."

So we got Italy not in Axis, Hitler menaces to invade Italy to get South Tyrol...
 
There is no Axis without Italy. The name arose because the two countries were more or less in a straight line on the map. Japan and others just signed on later.
 
one of the stories in the "Hitler Triumphant" collection (rather a misnomer, since the Axis still lose in most of them) deals with just this. It basically involves Mussolini dying early on in a plane crash and FDR taking a personal interest in keeping Italy neutral. Basically, the USA grants them aid and a lot of coal shipments, and Italy stays out of the war...
 
1.) Abyssinia crisis solved in a manner Italy gains a victory without hostile actions from UK/FR

1.b) UK/FR/ITL work together to effectively blockade "BOTH" sides in Spanish civil war (No German/Italian/Russian support comes through - probably Franco fails

2.) Case Yellow as OTL, but Italy stays out.

3.) Italy wants Albania and Greece. As Metaxas is German leaning (as OTL, Only Georg II acted to ally Greece to the Allies side), UK accepts the occupation of Albania and in 1940 supports Italys claims in Greece (reducing them to "acceptable" conditions for Greece). The price is Italys DOW on Germany. (UK troops immediately move into Italy to attack Germanys southern border).
 
1.) Abyssinia crisis solved in a manner Italy gains a victory without hostile actions from UK/FR

This is the easiest, Mussolini accept the Laval proposal almost immediately, no sanctions and better relations with UK/FR

1.b) UK/FR/ITL work together to effectively blockade "BOTH" sides in Spanish civil war (No German/Italian/Russian support comes through - probably Franco fails

Doubtfoul as even UK and France were not that thrilled at the notion of a Nationalist victory, expecially when the communist effectily take charge, so propaganda aside they were satisied that someone else is doing their dirty job



3.) Italy wants Albania and Greece. As Metaxas is German leaning (as OTL, Only Georg II acted to ally Greece to the Allies side), UK accepts the occupation of Albania and in 1940 supports Italys claims in Greece (reducing them to "acceptable" conditions for Greece). The price is Italys DOW on Germany. (UK troops immediately move into Italy to attack Germanys southern border).

Italy already have Albania, as that nation was basically a protectorate, Benny just want something to show to Hitler...and more than Greece, Italy has aim on Yugoslavia, but concentrated on Greece becouse Berlin nixed any attack there (after the coup things were different); probably one of the condition for stay neutral is free hand on Yugoslavia (a more acceptable request than Greece, a UK historical ally and of more strategic importance for them)
 
Albania was annexed only in 1939, so I think UK goodwill does "help".

Yugoslavia was on friendly terms with Germany (at least until shortly before the German attack when they leaned to UK), so Italy would provoke Germany if if attacked TTL, but eventually Italy might want concessions after war.

I reason Italy is more important to UK than Greece (which also had pro Germany tendencies), so UK might mediate between Italy and Greece (the latter had to accept toned down italian demands)
 
Albania was annexed only in 1939, so I think UK goodwill does "help".

The annexation was just a political move, because Benny was feed up with Adolf doing everything without consulting so he get the quickest thing that can...but by all pratical means, Italy controlled Albanian economy and politics

Yugoslavia was on friendly terms with Germany (at least until shortly before the German attack when they leaned to UK), so Italy would provoke Germany if if attacked TTL, but eventually Italy might want concessions after war.

The Benny idea is that Germany is a little too occupied in other things to attack Italy for Yugoslavia, expecially if the deal is sweatens with territory concessions and a the promise that materials continue to flow for the German war effort and nothings will be done to block troops movements.


I reason Italy is more important to UK than Greece (which also had pro Germany tendencies), so UK might mediate between Italy and Greece (the latter had to accept toned down italian demands)

Greece is in a strategic position too important to be lightly given away, maximum a drop of Greece claim on the dodecanese island and Epirus and a demilitarizated zone at the Albanian border and Corfù.
 
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