Neural Italy: WWCD?

Markus

Banned
I want to give my ''II Duce keeps out of the war TL'' a second try. I did a search and most of the "neutral Italy" discussions are about what the effect on Italy and Germany would be but


What would Churchill do?


On the one hand no hot war in the Med frees a certain degree of assets, on the other hand whatelse could the UK have done? The Med was the only place where the UK could attack the Axis without the danger of a catastrophic defeat.

Now you are in charge of the UK´s military effort. It is 1940, France has fallen, the BoB has been won and Italy while being pro-German has not declared war. Ideas?
 
Confirm that order to buy 300 Re 2000s right away

Confirm that order to buy 300 Re 2000s right away and start making noises about further purchases. Start by giving Italy an economic incentive to stay neutral (and if they sell it to Britain, they can't sell to Germany).

"In December 1939 a British commission, led by Lord Hardwick and Air Ministry representatives, came to Italy to purchase (along with marine engines, armaments and light reconnaissance bombers) 300 Re 2000s. The Director of Aircraft Contracts confirmed the British order in January 1940. Germany government approved the sale in March of the same year, but withdrew its approval the following month. The Italian and British governments then decided to complete the contract through the Italian Caproni’s Portuguese subsidiary, but British order was cancelled when Italy entered World War II on 10 June 1940."
 
Top