alternatehistory.com

POD-

In June, 1940, after the fall of France, Franco was prepared to enter the war with Hitler, but didn't. The Spanish were 212 Million in debt to the Germans at the time. Adolf Hitler did not encourage Spains offer.


Now lets say that Hitler immediately accepts Franco's offer. Spain, on June 15th, 1940, declares war on the Allies. Almost immediately, Spanish fighters and soldiers attack Gibraltar. By the end of June, German soldiers are pouring into Spain from France to take Gibraltar. By July, Gibraltar is taken. How would this possibly affect the British war effort in the Mediterranean with one of their main ports and sole entryway (Other than the Suez) taken. German U-Boats can now freely travel into the Mediterranian, bringing more damage to allied shipping. The Spanish might also teach the Germans some Guerilla warfare as well.

I would think that with a closer port to North Africa, the North African campaigns would be more supplied, and with Gibraltar gone, perhaps Malta would soon fall as well. This would allow the Axis to send troops freely across the Mediterranian. Less troops would be diverted to Africa from Germany, which is now in Yugoslavia and other nations in that area.

Another possibility I could see would be a Portugese entrance into the war, either on both sides. I don't know much about their involvement and don't know what their government was. I think they were Fascists, or at least Pro-Axis, but correct me if I am wrong.


Perhaps with a Spanish entrance into the war on the Axis, Portugaul might be more likely to join the Axis as well in the war, perhaps a few months after the Spanish. This would give the Axis some valuable ports in the Atlantic, and open a minor war in Sub-Saharan Africa between the Portugese Colony and South Africa, most likely leading to a stalemate, or a British victory there.

If both Portugal and Spain are in the war by Mid-1940, the Allies would be greatly outnumbered. Hitler-Mussolini-Franco would be the three most powerful leaders in Europe, possibly leading to an English surrender in late 1940. Spanish industry and farms would be put to good use, giving the Axis far more supplies. The area would also prove to be a thorn in any Allied Operations in North Africa. If England isn't out of the war by 1941-42, an attempted Operation Torch would fail, with Gibraltar out of Allied Hands.


Hitler as a result of the Spanish/Portugese coming under the Axis, might abandon Japan as an ally by Early 1940, seeing that the Alliance is pointless. As a result, America would be out of Europe at least until 1944.


Any other scenario's would be welcome.
Top