How far can a soviet, axis alliance push, in China, Africa, and India?

I don't think the USSR would've had a great deal of difficulty taking Iran and India. Look what it was able to accomplish in August Storm.
My comment meant it would take a while to defeat the WHOLE British Empire. However on your point. Iran is easy for the USSR, India logistically is a stretch. I would have thought going on through Mesopotamia would be easier.
 
I actually think a Soviet-Axis alliance could happen with a more strategic Hitler,

Late in 1940 the problem was the Soviet price for participation on the Axis side. They wanted Finland, the Turkish straits and the oil of the Near East. Adolf didn't want them getting all that. I suggest, however, that the risk of a stronger USSR was no worse--if as bad--as the longterm risk to the reich from Britain and the US, if the war against Britain wasn't wrapped up soon.

maybe one that's convinced to wait it out in his war against the Soviet Union, at least until the Western Allies were defeated or reached an armistice? Then, once he won (if he ends up doing so), he could lead his war against the Soviet Union?

Probably a better approach than the disastrous two front war of the OTL.
 

nbcman

Donor
I don't think the USSR would've had a great deal of difficulty taking Iran and India. Look what it was able to accomplish in August Storm.
You mean what the Soviets were able to achieve in Manchuria after years of bitter experience against Germany and years of receiving lend lease equipment (trucks, radios, and so forth) against a foe who was not fully expecting the attack that surrendered soon thereafter? A 1939/1940 invasion of Iran would not look anything like the Manchurian Strategic Offensive.
 
Africa has kinda natural defense by being hot and dangerous diseases. Their equivalent to "General Winter". Neither the nazis nor the Soviets would be accustomed to fighting there, let alone having real experience.

To some extent this applies to the Near and Middle East and India as well.

And China might become a horrible quagmire.
 
You mean what the Soviets were able to achieve in Manchuria after years of bitter experience against Germany

Well, at least c 1941 the Soviets hadn't suffered millions of casualties. And as early as '39 their army didn't do too badly at Khalkin Gol.


and years of receiving lend lease equipment (trucks, radios, and so forth) against a foe who was not fully expecting the attack that surrendered soon thereafter? A 1939/1940 invasion of Iran would not look anything like the Manchurian Strategic Offensive.

I don't think the British could've withstood Soviet forces unencumbered by war with Germany or anyone else.
 
Africa has kinda natural defense by being hot and dangerous diseases. Their equivalent to "General Winter". Neither the nazis nor the Soviets would be accustomed to fighting there, let alone having real experience.

It was said that in North Africa, "the very young and very blond could not stand the heat, nor could veterans of the first war." Still, that didn't prevent the DAK from functioning there. Heat was an issue but not decisive.

To some extent this applies to the Near and Middle East and India as well.

The British weren't exactly a tropical species either but became acclimatized.

And China might become a horrible quagmire.

The Soviets would've had an ally in Mao, who had the confidence of many Chinese.
 
It was said that in North Africa, "the very young and very blond could not stand the heat, nor could veterans of the first war." Still, that didn't prevent the DAK from functioning there. Heat was an issue but not decisive.
How far down Africa do you think they could support overland logistics.


The British weren't exactly a tropical species either but became acclimatized.



The Soviets would've had an ally in Mao, who had the confidence of many Chinese.

how far into africa do you think they could support overland logistics past the the nile connection to lake Victoria?
 
how far into africa do you think they could support overland logistics past the the nile connection to lake Victoria?

Even assuming they wanted all of Africa, it would be lower on the hit list than Iran, the Near East, China and India. If they could take those the British empire might be so far gone the German scheme to get the boers to rise up might work.
 
Even assuming they wanted all of Africa, it would be lower on the hit list than Iran, the Near East, China and India. If they could take those the British empire might be so far gone the German scheme to get the boers to rise up might work.

on that note how far do you belive they can push into India?
 
on that note how far do you belive they can push into India?


I know, as has been pointed out, logistics would be tough but a Soviet attempt at taking all of India (with some help from other axis states) would have two things in its favor: Relative British weakness and dislike of British rule by the Indian masses. It's possible the Soviets--as opposed to the nazis--could win over those masses, as they could make a more convincing case they stand for Indian independence, given the anti-imperialist stance of communist ideology.
It may take a while, but IMO the Soviets could gradually push back the British and get all of India.
 
Top