No African Front in WWII

WI there was no North African front in WWII? Suppose the POD is that the Italians actually are competent and don't invade Egypt. I admit that chances are fighting would happen there eventually, but in this TL it never progressed beyond a true sideshow.

What are the changes in the war? Does Rommel receive the same fame he did IOTL? Does the extra resources prolong the war, or is Germany and the Axis still doomed by 1945?
 
I think that once Italy declares war on Britian it's colonies were ripe for the picking since that is a traditional British way of making war. The way the war went, with Britain fighting alone for the best part of a year, secure from invasion after about October 1940 (in their minds, lets not get into Sealion for f###'s sake) but with no reasonable chance in the near term defeating Nazi Germany I think some peripheral, colonial campaigns are a near certainty.
 
If Italy decides not to declare war on the Allies, then there is no African front in WWII. Mussolini falls down a staircase in June of 1940 and everyone in the Italian government runs around in circles knifing each other in the back until France surrenders and it's too late to join the war.
 
WI there was no North African front in WWII? Suppose the POD is that the Italians actually are competent and don't invade Egypt. I admit that chances are fighting would happen there eventually, but in this TL it never progressed beyond a true sideshow.

What are the changes in the war? Does Rommel receive the same fame he did IOTL? Does the extra resources prolong the war, or is Germany and the Axis still doomed by 1945?

I think you mean Italians are politically competent - right? Then they wouldn't invade Egypt or declare war on France or any other silly stuff.
Militarily competent is another matter - then they'd invade Egypt to conquer.

Rommel did have fame already - the ghost division in France 1940, anybody?
Infanterie greift an!
Africa just gave him more.
He might still win laurels in Russia 1941 with another ghost division.

If Italy is politically competent they wouldn't all the blunders. Would not add more resources to Germany from them but indirectly of course as the Germans wouldn't have to worry about silliness in the Med, North Africa and Balkans.
Barbarossa would go off as originally scheduled but this has been done over here before.
Probably the Germans would be able to carry on a little longer. But not a year... The allies would have the troops OTL in the Med at their disposal. ;)
 
For an absense of African front we need neutral Italy. And when Italy was neutral country-there would not be italic front too. maybe, Allience would invaded in Balkan.
 
If we have a neutral Italy that takes pressure off the British to build up the defences of Malta, etc I guess

Could this lead to resources going to the Far East, in particular aircraft? So that when the Japanese attack, the RAF has a good number of Spitfires (for example) rather than having Buffalos?
 
Indeed, with the only tasks in Europe being keeping the sealanes open, bombing Germany and starting to buuild up for an eventual return to the continent Britain would have the resources to spare to make Imperial defence in the east be a viable proposition.
 

Markus

Banned
OK, in the early 30´s an Italian geologist explores the Libyan desert and finds … OIL! And a f…ing lot of it.

No I’m Benny M. and what would I do with my new found wealth?
Nummero uno: Once the oil money starts flowing it is spend to improve the infrastructure in southern Italy. Like the “Benito Mussolini Railroad Line” connecting Rome with Naples and Taranto/Reggio Calabria. Top speed 125 mph. The industrialized North will get his share in the form of increased arms production.
Nummero due: Hold elections! With all that oil money a sure win.

Than there is this war. Several actually. I figure the one with Ethiopia is superfluous. Who needs military glory to get public support? Not me, I have oil money, I can buy all the public support I want. And this war in 39 is something Italy better stays away from. Probably something to gain, but why take the risk? Especially with my WW1 background in mind.
No, I stay neutral, reinforce Libya to make sure the Brits don’t try something with my oil wells, because they don’t want me sell it to my buddy Adolf. Of course I sell the Brits all the oil they can pay for, too.
Things change in December 1941 when Germany is stopped in Russia and the USA enters the war. Now it looks like Germany is going to loose and oil money or not a world dominated by the USA and the f…ing Commies is not a nice place for a fascist dictator like me, so I have to take action:

December 8th 1942: Operation Torch

Convoys with troops from the USA and the UK secretly slipped into the Med, sailed west and now arrive in …Naples, Rome and Sardinia where the people are somewhat surprised to learn the fascist ruled kingdom of Italy is the latest addition to the United Nations. By the way: I´m totally flattered that my style is so popular in the US Militray. There was me on my white steed, helmet on, cavalry boots and than this Major-General climbed out of the landing craft, almost exactly dressed like me. Got him a white steed ASAP and he gave me one of his revolvers. Good man!
Don´t look that surprised. Betraying the Germans in time of war is an honoured Italian tradition –ok, it was the Austrians actually, but Adolf is one- and this time it´s a much safer bet than in WW1.

Who dies it end: With me dying of old age in a bed –hopefully while at it with some hot chick like Clara Petacci- and being remembered as Italy´s greatest and most beloved leader.
 
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