Deleted member 1487
And you base that on? After all the Germans did crush the Metaxas Line in 1941, which had not only checked the Italians, but was manned by Greeks who tossed the Italian back into Albania. And then they crushed the Brits in Greece and Crete in less favorable circumstances. Britain, which commits forces to Italy to have them ground in right after having to bail on France and lose most of their equipment, wouldn't really be in a better way that fighting in NA, which was a much better theater for them relative to the Axis.Yeah, but they aren't likely to take Rome and give GB a foothold in Europe itself that won't be easily pushed out. So it sucks in British troops? Fine, they aren't needed in NA anyways and Italy is more important than NA anyways.
Would France even want Italian forces in their country until it was too late? Granted though Italy as an Allied power in 1940, even if their contribution is just attacking Austria through the Alps or even just coming into aid the French once the Germans were pushing down the Rhone valley would probably prompt the French to fight on from North Africa rather than surrender, which changes the war immensely.Even if Italy doesn’t send net forces to France, can’t they trade French mountaineer forces for mobile Italian units?
Also freeing up some stuff in North Africa and changing the air war.
Also the French had mostly stripped out any sort of combat ready force from North Africa by June 1940, so Italian entry doesn't really help them free up more, though it does mean the Italians can contribute at least their air force to fighting in France and Austria. Though given the quality of Italian air planes and their lack of performance against the British and French in 1940, I doubt they'd do more than soak up bullets.
Good for you. If such terrain didn't stop a WW1 attacking force I doubt it would stop a WW2 one, especially given how much less prepared the Italians were in 1940 than they were in 1917 after gaining a lot of combat experience through years of war and building up their army on the British dime.Once you have passed the border at the Trate Pass (800 meters) and advanced for 75 kms along the narrow Idrijca valley to Kobarid, after a few more kilometers you are in this:
Note this is a part where the valley broadens a little, that's why there's the village of Stupizza. Observe how farther ahead the bottom of the valley barely can contain the road (in a tunnel), the torrent floor, and, not visible now, but existing at the time a (narrow-gauge) railroad. In places, the valley bottom is about 50 meters across, with steep wooded and rocky hillsides either side.
From Caporetto, this is the fastest and best route towards the italian plains.
As mentioned, I do think the Germans would break through - eventually. Calling this place "not mountains" can be done by someone who hasn't visited it - I have.
Plus the Germans did break through very quickly the Metaxas Line, which was certainly no weaker than the fortifications the Italians had built up versus Yugoslavia. Then there is the small issue of the Italians having to man the entire defensive line from Southern France to the Yugoslav border as well as potentially have troops in Southern France fighting to aid their ally.
OP's scenario has the break between Germany and Italy happen in May 1939 when the Axis pact was signed IOTL. So until then they are dependent on Germany and embargoed, but then things can start to change from then on out, but that is more than a bit too late to change much, especially then if it means Allied resources have to go into developing Italy instead of aiding their own rearmament. In fact in that case Italy might end up proving more of a fatal drain on Allied resources if they opt to supply Italy, while then freeing up German resources! Considering the resources pumped into Italy by Germany during their 1930s-40s alliance, cutting that cord in May 1939 would mean Germany can build up faster between May 1939-May 1940 and beyond.If the Italians were friendly enough to join the war on the Allied side, the Ethiopian embargo would have been lifted prior to the start of the war and the Italians could get more steel, coal and oil from the French / UK than the Germans could ever supply. So the equipment side for Italy will not be as bad as OTL - however, their training / organization will most likely be as bad as OTL.
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