Liberation of the Balkans

  • Thread starter Deleted member 1487
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Deleted member 1487

What if the Western allies managed to liberate the Balkans in late '44? Lets say that Churchill manages to get the allies to think postwar and FDR is less trusting of Stalin. So, by '45 the Front has collapsed, Yugoslavia is somewhat passified, but still has issues. The Czech Republic and Austria are liberated by the Allies, but the Russians pretty much took everything else historically. What happens at this point? Do the allies really give everything back or do they decided to enforce some free elections of the balkan and Soviet occupied nations?
 
The Balkans were something of an obsession for Churchill, but the US was staunchly opposed to any Balkan ventures. Despite it's reputation for being "the crossroads of Europe," there are actually very few, if any, historical examples of Europe being successfully invaded by the Balkan route.
 
What about if the USA decides to land in Greece instead of Italy in 1943? That could lead to the USA reaching moving into Bulgaria and Yugoslavia rather quickly. I see Bulgaria, faced with actual invasion, surrendering quickly if the UK and USA move into it--they were not that big on the whole Axis alliance. The Allied Drive into Yugoslavia could make things interesting. While it could initially offer a great opportunity to screw over the German armies present, it could also prove to be a massive headache for the Allies.

By 1944, you might have the allies trying to move into Southern Romania and Croatia. This would prove more difficult, as the Croats supported the Axis powers to some degree. Romania would probably rather choose the allies than the Soviets, but that might not be workable with large German armies in the area. And Behind Romania, you've got the Soviet Union. The Soviets are still going to demand a piece of Europe--but it will probably be a Finnish and Polish piece instead of a Eastern European one. Romania gets divided (or maybe the Soviets annex their part of the territory?)

I'm not sure how this would proceed after this happens.
 
To Blue Max:
How do you want to supply these armies?

I suppose that I assume the Italians get their fleet bashed in, and then you go from Virginia across the Atlantic and into Athens and Edessa. You do have an Adriatic Coastline to ferry more goods as well.

I know this was Churchill's idea, I would have hoped that he was not simply making silly stuff with it.
EDIT: Add a second route, from SW England to Athens. And a potential Third: Algiers -> Alexandria Overland to Alexandria-> Athens as a quick cargo route.

Also, I suppose this is going to be rough going early on, but I imagine once the Allies secure the Adriatic they may consider landing near Venice to grab another port for the campaign. Venice would be contested like mad, but if the Allies can hold it, the Entire Balkans is probably gone and Italy is probably contemplating surrender.
 
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I suppose that I assume the Italians get their fleet bashed in, and then you go from Virginia across the Atlantic and into Athens and Edessa. You do have an Adriatic Coastline to ferry more goods as well.

I know this was Churchill's idea, I would have hoped that he was not simply making silly stuff with it.
And then? The relief isnt good for auottraansport
 
And then? The relief isnt good for auottraansport

I'm thinking something like the Adriatic gets turned into a Sea Shipping route for the Allies. Venice would be the top choice for this plan. You are right about the terrain and roads, but I think with enough ferrying supplies by boat you can probably get things to work out better.

Driving stuff from Athens would probably work (passably) for the early start of the campaign, and the situation would improve as more of Greece came under Allied Control. I think it a great concern, but the Allies do have means to get stuff moving around down there.

I don't have a railroad or freeway map of the period around, though.
 
I'm thinking something like the Adriatic gets turned into a Sea Shipping route for the Allies. Venice would be the top choice for this plan. You are right about the terrain and roads, but I think with enough ferrying supplies by boat you can probably get things to work out better.

Driving stuff from Athens would probably work (passably) for the early start of the campaign, and the situation would improve as more of Greece came under Allied Control. I think it a great concern, but the Allies do have means to get stuff moving around down there.

I don't have a railroad or freeway map of the period around, though.
Venice is controlled by German by may 1945
 
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