Spanish Entry into WWII

I'm broadly in the camp that this was always unlikely, imo Franco was too clever to be drawn into a messy conflict, but assuming he could have his hand forced in one way or another (and there are lots of imaginable scenarios) - what effect does Spanish entry actually have?

Arguably it gives the allies another entry point into Europe, with slightly more naval opposition (though not of any particular quality.)

Gibraltar will be besieged, and the Balearics and Canary Islands become something that has to be tackled.

It may also reinflame tensions within Spain, if the remaining Republicans start receiving allied supplies - Spain could be more of a liability than an asset, might require Nazi bailout ala Greece? This is somewhat likely, Franco wouldn't have total control in the cities by 1939.
 
I'm broadly in the camp that this was always unlikely, imo Franco was too clever to be drawn into a messy conflict, but assuming he could have his hand forced in one way or another (and there are lots of imaginable scenarios) - what effect does Spanish entry actually have?

Arguably it gives the allies another entry point into Europe, with slightly more naval opposition (though not of any particular quality.)

Gibraltar will be besieged, and the Balearics and Canary Islands become something that has to be tackled.

It may also reinflame tensions within Spain, if the remaining Republicans start receiving allied supplies - Spain could be more of a liability than an asset, might require Nazi bailout ala Greece? This is somewhat likely, Franco wouldn't have total control in the cities by 1939.

You are talking about WW2 ?
 

Don Quijote

Banned
What about a repeat of the Peninsular War? Portugal joins the Allies, and an Expeditionary Force marches into Spain, where it is supported by guerrillas who oppose the German-backed regime. (rather than a French puppet king)
Who could be Britain's 20th century Arthur Wellesley? :)
 
There is only one short window for Spain to join Axis, that is after Fall of Paris, yet before Pearl Harbor.
Franco being quite opportunistic, I can imagine he would rather side with Allies, at least post Pearl-Harbor, if Germans would threaten him to "join Axis, or else".
 
Well the Spanish unit sent to fight Russia, would stay in Russia. Franco would take this time to seize Gibraltar and mainly use his navy for unconventional purposes and its obvious the Spanish navy couldn't take on the British. If this is before American involvement, then seizing Gibraltar may cause some logistic trouble for the English in North Africa for a time.

I could see Franco trying to pull strings to get more materials and favors from the Axis powers, just like he really did, but much more now they are engaged in a war. A sort of, we need more money because our factory industry needs to expand to meet demands. They could also play a figure in getting Portugal to get in on the war (although I don't know what their stance is between the Axis and Allies.

However, although Franco is powerful in Spain, his regime is fragile. If an allied force were to land or break through Gibraltar, then he may face a coup.
 
Well the Spanish unit sent to fight Russia, would stay in Russia. Franco would take this time to seize Gibraltar and mainly use his navy for unconventional purposes and its obvious the Spanish navy couldn't take on the British. If this is before American involvement, then seizing Gibraltar may cause some logistic trouble for the English in North Africa for a time.

I could see Franco trying to pull strings to get more materials and favors from the Axis powers, just like he really did, but much more now they are engaged in a war. A sort of, we need more money because our factory industry needs to expand to meet demands. They could also play a figure in getting Portugal to get in on the war (although I don't know what their stance is between the Axis and Allies.

However, although Franco is powerful in Spain, his regime is fragile. If an allied force were to land or break through Gibraltar, then he may face a coup.

Logistically surely they'd land at Galicia or the Basque country? Moving soldiers through Gibraltar would be an unnecessary nightmare.
 
I meant they go inland to push the Spanish back just enough. Not an offensive or an invasion necessarily, but to give more leeway for better defense. Gives more incentive to station more troops down there and take away from other areas of interest.
 
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