WI Allies Try Operation Sledgehammer in 1942 and Fail?

Anaxagoras

Banned
After the United States entered World War II, they began pressuring the British for a cross-Channel invasion sooner rather than later. Churchill convinced them to follow a Mediterranean strategy for the time being, resulting in Operation Torch and eventually the invasion of Italy.

Suppose, however, that the Americans had got their way and a major cross-Channel attack was attempted in 1942, the objective being the capture of Cherbourg. The resources that went into Operation Torch IOTL, and probably more, are directed to Sledgehammer ITTL. Inexperienced and without air supremacy, the Allies are cut to ribbons in a campaign lasting a few weeks, with the survivors either being forced to surrender or escaping back to Britain.

What then?
 
After the United States entered World War II, they began pressuring the British for a cross-Channel invasion sooner rather than later. Churchill convinced them to follow a Mediterranean strategy for the time being, resulting in Operation Torch and eventually the invasion of Italy.

Suppose, however, that the Americans had got their way and a major cross-Channel attack was attempted in 1942, the objective being the capture of Cherbourg. The resources that went into Operation Torch IOTL, and probably more, are directed to Sledgehammer ITTL. Inexperienced and without air supremacy, the Allies are cut to ribbons in a campaign lasting a few weeks, with the survivors either being forced to surrender or escaping back to Britain.

What then?

Much longer African theater, probably. Egypt is overrun, or maybe very close to it. Any other cross-channel invasion ideas are discarded, and perhaps the 'soft underbelly' (the Balkans) route is taken.
 
Republicans win control of the House of Representatives. Increased political pressure for a Japan First Strategy.
 
More of the Balkans under the American sphere after the war, but we might see the Russians in Antwerp or even in Paris, since with no Allies in the West there is nothing that can stop the Russians from driving into Berlin and to keep on going.
 
Much longer African theater, probably. Egypt is overrun, or maybe very close to it. Any other cross-channel invasion ideas are discarded, and perhaps the 'soft underbelly' (the Balkans) route is taken.

Egypt is probably safe, given at this point Montgomery is chasing them towards El Agheila. An Allied invasion of France, even a poorly conducted one, will likely consume many of the Axis reinforcements that historically went to Tunisia starting in November.
 

randomkeith

Banned
we might see the Russians in Antwerp or even in Paris, since with no Allies in the West there is nothing that can stop the Russians from driving into Berlin and to keep on going.

And hello WW3, giving the Russians Poland was one thing but all of France i really can't see that happening. If it looked like the Russians weren't going to stop at the German border. You can bet a landing would have taken place immediatley, just to prevent as much of europe falling into Russian hands as possible. The Free French would probally fight the Russians, bringing in the British and the Americans.
 

Anaxagoras

Banned
With American and British forces at least temporairly beaten off, the Germans could potentially do better against the Russians in late 1942 and 1943. Thoughts?
 

randomkeith

Banned
Maybe a peace agreement is reached with Russia? I believe there was almost one after Kurst. Stalin forgoes some land and decalres peace allowing the Germans to concentrate on keeping the Americans out of Europe???
 

chronos

Banned
This was called Rainbow Nine, the calculations had been done and it was concluded that it would not be possible to hold two enclaves - either the Cherbourg peninsular or around Calais and break out of it the next year.

The dieppe raid was the test for it.

A poem was written about it - "no second front in 1942".

There would have been problems to say the least with a failed invasion.
 
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