In 1941, Spain was a neutral power with ties to the Axis. Their government was arguably indebted to Germany and Italy due to their intervention on Franco's behalf, and Hitler hoped to convince Franco to join the Axis side to close the Mediterranean to Britain. The negotiations went nowhere, but Spain sent volunteers to the Eastern Front to participate in Operation Barbarossa.
But, what if Generalissimo Franco had been assassinated in 1941 by an ex-Republican partisan? Who would have succeeded him? Would a second civil war have broken out? Would Hitler have just ordered an invasion through France to ensure the preservation of the Fascist state? Would the British intelligence services have tried to support Republican remnants against the Francoist regime?
But, what if Generalissimo Franco had been assassinated in 1941 by an ex-Republican partisan? Who would have succeeded him? Would a second civil war have broken out? Would Hitler have just ordered an invasion through France to ensure the preservation of the Fascist state? Would the British intelligence services have tried to support Republican remnants against the Francoist regime?