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?
Re: What if Interactive History V had happened? - German WWI victory
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?
"Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?"
-Abraham Lincoln
Four stage strategy from Yes, Minister:
Stage one we say nothing is going to happen.
Stage two, we say something may be about to happen, but we should do nothing about it.
Stage three, we say that maybe we should do something about it, but there's nothing we can do.
Stage four, we say maybe there was something we could have done, but it's too late now.
Re: What if Interactive History V had happened? - German WWI victory
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.However, the duo of France and Italy would have been the military equivalent of Laurel and Hardy,
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.
Re: What if Interactive History V had happened? - German WWI victory
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 (Originally Posted by Kralizec
) 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.
"The only way that has ever been discovered to have a lot of people cooperate together voluntarily is through the free market. And that's why it's so essential to preserving individual freedom.” -- Milton Friedman
"The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule." -- H. L. Mencken
Re: What if Interactive History V had happened? - German WWI victory
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.....
"The only way that has ever been discovered to have a lot of people cooperate together voluntarily is through the free market. And that's why it's so essential to preserving individual freedom.” -- Milton Friedman
"The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule." -- H. L. Mencken
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks