#ARTILLERY IN SCW AXIS HISTORY FORUM SKIN#

#ARTILLERY IN SCW AXIS HISTORY FORUM SKIN#

Franco, unlike Mussolini, can probably even negotiate to save his personal skin though perhaps not to remain in power, depending on exactly what Spain was actively involved in doing. If Franco declared on the Axis side, I suppose that the most likely long term resolution, after Spain had suffered years of blockade, and indeed bombing, not from Portugal but North Africa, Italy and out of Britain (as bomber and fighter escort ranges increase) and all terror that Hitler will have his revenge is removed as France is liberated, is a negotiated surrender. No way could Salazar permit RAF bomber bases on Portuguese soil without immediately embroiling his country in a war with Spain. The best the Allies can hope for is that Salazar stay neutral. If we change the situation by having Franco openly jump into bed with Hitler, Portugal can't go Allied without total war breaking immediately all along the border. After that, it just got more and more sensible for Portugal to get in on the winning side.ДЄnd yet, Salazar stayed neutral all through. Given both Salazar's reactionary leanings and that the Axis appeared to be winning until after 1942, it made sense OTL for Portugal to stay neutral-until the Allies started to move into a clear favored position to win. Overall Portugal had plenty of reason to go all in as an Ally.ДЎ) the generic dependency of both Iberian nations on trade by sea, and having colonies overseas to lose Дў) a long term policy of being pro-British ДЈ) The Japanese took East Timor and Macao-perhaps this is a point against joining the Allies since now the Portuguese of Macao are in effect hostages?Д¤) Versus the ATL under discussion, Franco was not a total fool and did not join the Axis, so while he might have been unhappy with Salazar going Allied openly, the result would not be immediate war all along their borders.

since Portugal stayed neutral OTL, I don't see how Franco going nuts and declaring openly for the Axis is going to flip Portugal to the Allies.

Artillery in scw axis history forum