How can the Allies win in North Africa earlier? A more successful Operation Compass? Not redirecting the same British divisions that went towards the Balkans? What effects could this have on the rest of the war?
How does this affect Greece or the rest of the Balkans?I think this is quite easy. Delay the Greek debacle in some way or interfere with the timing of the Afrika Corps. Hell even a few miles of railway might be enough.
Greece will have a larger population (no starvation under German occupation) for starters. If the British invade the Balkans it will still be a mess (the other groups will still refuse to support the Serbs and supply lines favor the Germans and Italians over the British). The latter delays the Soviet invasion and likely redirects Hitler's attention toward defeating the British first.How does this affect Greece or the rest of the Balkans?
How about Yugoslavia?Greece will have a larger population (no starvation under German occupation) for starters. If the British invade the Balkans it will still be a mess (the other groups will still refuse to support the Serbs and supply lines favor the Germans and Italians over the British). The latter delays the Soviet invasion and likely redirects Hitler's attention toward defeating the British first.
It becomes a basket case. The Serbs support the British, the Croatians side with the Italians and Germans. I just don't see reconciliation especially since the British will keep it from being a swift campaign. Does the Yugoslav atrocities come fifty years early?How about Yugoslavia?
Atrocities will definitely happen if the Croats decide to breakaway from the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, especially against and committed by Serb minorities spread throughout the Axis-occupied regions of Yugoslavia. What other groups would side with and against the Allies?It becomes a basket case. The Serbs support the British, the Croatians side with the Italians and Germans. I just don't see reconciliation especially since the British will keep it from being a swift campaign. Does the Yugoslav atrocities come fifty years early?
Atrocities will definitely happen if the Croats decide to breakaway from the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, especially against and committed by Serb minorities spread throughout the Axis-occupied regions of Yugoslavia. What other groups would side with and against the Allies?
What do you think anti-Axis resistance could look like in the Axis-occupied regions?The Slovenes support the Axis. Communist forces remain largely neutral (though I still see Tito stepping up as things worsen). Macedonia supports the Allies (they see Bulgaria salivating). Dalmatia is annexed by the Italians and has no enthusiasm either way.
I'm not sure there was much resistance in those regions OTL. In the Croatian areas I don't think there is room for subtlety: the Croats are going to go on a genocidal spree so either you accept death or flee to Allied lines. The Dalmatians weren't that far removed from foreign rule (Hapsburg) and after seeing what is going on South will likely cozy up to the Italians as best they can for protection. There's going to be a lot of population movement.What do you think anti-Axis resistance could look like in the Axis-occupied regions?
Who could replace him?Hitler decides to make someone else but Rommel commander of the Afrika Korps, maybe.
Let's say resistance emerges anyway - what could it look like?I'm not sure there was much resistance in those regions OTL. In the Croatian areas I don't think there is room for subtlety: the Croats are going to go on a genocidal spree so either you accept death or flee to Allied lines. The Dalmatians weren't that far removed from foreign rule (Hapsburg) and after seeing what is going on South will likely cozy up to the Italians as best they can for protection. There's going to be a lot of population movement.
Who could replace him?
Have the Italians go in much harder in Greece in 1940-early 1941 so that they are more vulnerable in North Africa, but Greece is off the table for British reinforcements. Since the Italians are doing better in Greece Hitler thinks they are fine until too late, so Libya gets rolled up because Churchill can't intervene in Greece so keeps fresh troops pushing on the Italians.How can the Allies win in North Africa earlier? A more successful Operation Compass? Not redirecting the same British divisions that went towards the Balkans? What effects could this have on the rest of the war?
Could this see the Allies launching an invasion into Italy and/or the Balkans?Have the Italians go in much harder in Greece in 1940-early 1941 so that they are more vulnerable in North Africa, but Greece is off the table for British reinforcements. Since the Italians are doing better in Greece Hitler thinks they are fine until too late, so Libya gets rolled up because Churchill can't intervene in Greece so keeps fresh troops pushing on the Italians.
Could this see the Allies launching an invasion into Italy and/or the Balkans?
How long would that take?Eventually. They need to recover the capability first.
Can you elaborate?Complex question.