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What if Spain had joined the Axis?

Discussion in 'What If - European Theater - Western Front & Atlan' started by PzJgr, Jan 3, 2001.

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  1. LJAd

    LJAd Well-Known Member

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    Irrelevant (BBC,ha,why not NOTW,or the History Channel?)what we need is a proof that Gibraltar would be useful for the Germans .
     
  2. lwd

    lwd Ace

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    They might not have to invade though. If Franco asks the US for aid before any wars are declared US troops located in the Canaries could help insure Spanish neutrality and if the Germans attacked insure that they didn't become a German base. US troops along the Franco Spanish border would also be a trip wire. It might not stop the Germans but it could provide the impetous to get the US in the war. Spain would then become a "tar baby" for the Germans for the rest of the war.
     
  3. British-Empire

    British-Empire Member

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    And the hundreds of other pages and historians who claim its strategic importance.
    Im still waiting for your list of historians who have "debunked" Gibraltars strategic importance.
     
  4. British-Empire

    British-Empire Member

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    What possible aid could the US supply across a full Ocean against over 100 Divisions and a mass of airpower?
    That's even if we contemplate the ridiculous chance of Franco asking for US troops and the US even providing them.
     
  5. lwd

    lwd Ace

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    ???? Are you at all familiar with the history of WWII?
    Is it? If Spain wanted to stay neutral asking a neutral power or powers for help is an obvious tactic. The US could easily provide token forces as well as equipment and supplies for the Spanish military. Some of the Latin American countries might consider helping as well for various reasons.
     
  6. von_noobie

    von_noobie Member

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    A full ocean huh? Damn, The whole Atlantic, You Yanks would be stuffed. Would take you guys an Entire! weekend :p. Those 100+ German divisions, how many of them where in a position to get into a war and how willing was Germany to bring the US into a war over Spain and the arguable value of Gibraltar? The Germans would back down quick smart.
     
  7. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    I don't think so. We have more than enough What-ifs swirling around the joint now as it is.
     
  8. LJAd

    LJAd Well-Known Member

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    Name one
     
  9. von_noobie

    von_noobie Member

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    Off the top of my head a small force from Canada, UK, USA and possibly South Africa (not mentioning any possible Latin American nations). That there is a full bore Army rather then a token force.
     
  10. LJAd

    LJAd Well-Known Member

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    The importance of Gibraltar has been discussed in the What If Section :yes or no,Germans take Gibraltar.
    British Empire knws it ,because he participated (post 60)
     
  11. British-Empire

    British-Empire Member

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    I could name hundreds but here is three to start with.
    James Finlayson, Jurgen Rohwer, William Jackson.

    Right now name me the ones who say Gibraltar was not important.
     
  12. British-Empire

    British-Empire Member

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    Very familier I just wish you were.
    Now tell me what was the most Division that the US put ashore in a seaborn landing?


    A token force to face 100 German Divisions?
     
  13. British-Empire

    British-Empire Member

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    South African Divisions where rather busy in Africa and much of what the Canadians had was in the UK awaiting a German invasion.
    As for the US if they manage to land 3 Divisions at a great push in the face of massed Axis airpower and 100 Divisions what do you think the prospects will be?
     
  14. British-Empire

    British-Empire Member

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    Strange then that they did not back down a year later when they had 150 Divisions deployed in the East.
    So we are back with 3 Divisions v the German Army.
    Why do you think FDR did not even contemplate this?
     
  15. LJAd

    LJAd Well-Known Member

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    I could name hundreds:haha,and as usual :I can only name 3.

    Quotes of these people where they are saying that Gibraltar was very important in WWII?
     
  16. British-Empire

    British-Empire Member

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    No problem as soon as you name me one historian that has said Gibraltar has no strategic importance.
     
  17. British-Empire

    British-Empire Member

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    You asked me to name you one, I gave you three.
     
  18. von_noobie

    von_noobie Member

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    Thank god you are not in the army, You suck at tactical command if you think Germany would put there full 100 divisions into Spain. Hell Let the Germans do it, British could land a single squad in Belgium and go for a stroll into Berlin and take Hitler alive =).

    While South African divisions may have been occupied why could the Canadians not be utilized? If it appears that Germany is making a push for Spain any competent political leader and military strategist would see the merit in tying up Axis forces as far away from them as they can.




    Except that when that happened he then had Japan on there side and Japan had just gained a massive victory. They both knew there only chances where to split the US forces, If it was just Germany against the US it is highly unlikely they would have pressed for Spain, Hell Hitlers own advisers would be telling him to step back.
     
  19. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Strategy or strategic command refers to what you are going to do, in a broad sense. Stategy usually involves more that the actual planned combat, as it is also responsible for logistics, the ban of the What-ifer. Strategy also can incorporate diplomatic functions, as is often a necessity when violatiing another nation's sovereign territory. Stategy can also is concerned with economic aspects

    Tactics or tactical command refers more or less to how you do something, usually at the sharp end of the sword. Those practicing tactics are usually not overly concerned overly logistics, except how it applies to them specifically, which often confounds the ardent What-ifer. Usually the only diplomatic arts practiced by the tactician is that directed by the strategic commanders.

    Operations or operational command fits in between the above. Under the broad direction of the strategic commander, the operational commander uses the portion of the strategic forces that are allocated to him to plan & implement operations, whose implementation is carried out by the tactical commander.
     
  20. LJAd

    LJAd Well-Known Member

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    I will give you two :Smith and Jones :as valuable as your claims that these 3 sais that Gibraltar was important.
     

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