Re: What if Interactive History V had happened? - German WWI victory
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Originally Posted by spmetla
So could we assume then that with a German/Austrian victory over Russia looming in 1916 that Italy would either of remained neutral or joined against France?
Hard to say. Historically, Italy certainly awaited the outcome of Germany's initial offensive before committing itself, but it did not wait that long. With Britain joining the Allies more slowly/tentatively (or not at all?) they may well have decided to sit tight. On the other hand, they did really want a slice of Dalmatia.....
Re: What if Interactive History V had happened? - German WWI victory
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kralizec
France wasn't a paper tiger on the eve of WW2. In terms of raw military power they were at least the equal of Germany. The Germans actually ran into trouble defeating some of the heavier French tanks. France was defeated because they had no adequate answer to Blitzkrieg.
Putting France down there with Italy is wrong, IMO. Especially considering most of the succeses France did have in fighting the invasion were against Italians.
The French Army was, however, surprisingly "hollow." Despite creating quite a lot of German casualties, the French never fought effectively and held/reversed the Germans on only a couple of occasions (morale?). You are, of course, quite correct in that they had no counter for the paralyzing effect of the Blitzkrieg, but, then again, nobody else did at that stage either. Add in single-person turrets (:dizzy2: ) and they were hamstringing themselves.
If we posit a France that lost in 1918, after absorbing as much or more damage than it did historically, with Alsace and Lorraine completely lopped off into the bargain, then France may well have been a "paper" tiger of sorts in a World War beginning in 1940. Alternatively, she might have repeated the resurgence she experienced following Sedan.
If we posit a France losing in 1914 as a result of a successful Schlieffen offensive, then her material position would have actually been better by 1940. Less damage/attrition would have been suffered.
