Paul V McNutt
Banned
If Urban Fox is right and the Italians can stop the Germans in the Alps, that means Hitler has stumbled into a quagmire and he will probably be overthrown.
I agree, as long as they manage to keep the frontlines within the Alps which is a labyrinth of Thermopylae. Much depends on at which point the Luftwaffe and Panzer become more than the Italians can handle.
That doesn't make much sense. Italy had no further irredentist claims vs Austria (rather against Switzerland, actually). Having a post-war Austria closely aligned to Italy, maybe with Italian garrisons, would be their aim.
If Italy hopes for territorial gains in such a situation then they have to find Yugoslavia in the wrong camp and still be victorious. Then Mussolini would try to turn the Adriatic into an Italian pond.
I absolutely agree, though I can imagine Poland in this scenario. As I wrote before, they could play Germany's saviour (they had a non-aggression pact with the Reich at this point of time) - and trigger Sovjet intervention.
If they decide to backstab the Germans at the right point of time (assuming that Germany already fights on a 1000km front vs Italy, Austria and the CSR) this might actually result in a Polandwank. There are tempting strategical possibilities; either invading East Prussia or a joint offensive with the Czechs vs Upper Silesia.
Il Duce would certainly be cherished as the destroyer of Nazism. But the brave Austrians who stood up and resisted would also have a completely different standing than OTL.
Also the Czechs would have a better image than the Poles. As it would be strategically soundest, the Czech would fight to liberate the Northern parts of Austria (securing the link to Italy, guarding Vienna and shortening the front with each km they push the Germans westwards; also it wouldn't make much sense for the Czechs to leave their excellent defensive positions on their Northern and Western borders). Whereas the Poles would be more seen as conquerors who gain the fruits of other peoples' labours (again, I assume they would join the alliance rather late)
Of course now II Duce has craved out his own ''little Axis'', and the Polish Junta would be even more bellicose due to their victory over Germany, which could provoke a dangerous clash with the Soviets. Who for all the problems the Red Army had, will steamroller Poland quite quickly if it came to an all out war.![]()