Portugal during World War II after Franco joins the axis

What will Portugal do?

  • Join the axis sooner or later

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Try to remain neutral but have to decide on the axis

    Votes: 1 6.7%
  • Remain neutral

    Votes: 3 20.0%
  • Try to remain neutral but have to eventually join the allies

    Votes: 10 66.7%
  • Join the allies

    Votes: 1 6.7%

  • Total voters
    15
This POD comes out of the thread Franco joins the axis, but I think its worth its discussion.

In that POD, Franco decided to join the axis in early June 1940 in the hopes of making some quick gains. Now let us say that Franco does join the axis, what happens to Portugal?


There are three possibilities

1) Joins the axis

It may have no choice, either join the axis or be occupied.

2) Stays neutral

Although Portugal and Spain did have a non-aggression treaty, can it hold in such a POD?

3) Joins the Allies.

If this happens before 1943, almost certainly Portugal would be invaded and occupied by the Axis. With Portugal on the allied side, the possibility is that operation Torch maybe in Portugal?

What do you think the effect on the war would be?

If (1) or (3) the immediate effect is that the British will take effective operational control of the Azores islands so having a major impact in the U-boat campaign.
 
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