spain

[BERETTA 1]

if spain enter world war two on the axis side would this help or hurt germany. I think it would help in two ways first: north africa, help occupy morocco and the mediterranean and help supply north africa through the balearic islands
second: atlantic, more u-boat ports. one way it could hurt germany is that they would spread manpower out even father. what do you think would happan.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I think in the end it would not have done anything for the Germans or atleast changed the outcome of the war for them. Franco ruled Spain but never really built up there military or atleast eneogh to help Germany with it. On the other hand the Spanish could have retaken Gibralter and made it more difficult for the British to control the Med.

[BERETTA 1]

thank you for repling

[plan_D]

If Nationalist Spain had joined the Axis, as was planned, then it would have had a tremendous effect on World War II. Gibraltar would have been taken from Great Britain, cutting off the most important entrance to the Med Sea. This would have left Malta and North Africa cut off from immediate supply, which would have forced all Allied shipping past Aden and through the Suez Canal. More importantly, however, it would have allowed German surface raiders into the Med, which would have been able to bolster Axis naval power in that sea while reducing the Royal Navy. This would have left North Africa, and the Suez cut off and most likely conquered. This would have secured Italy and all it's gains in that theatre.

The Nationalist forces while exhausted were mobilised in 1939, and would have been able to bolster the Axis numbers but only in the infantry department at first. Militarily they'd have been little use, unless used in garrison duties.
On top of this, the route out of Axis Europe by many Allied airmen would have been cut-off as German forces would have most likely been present in Spain. Making the usual escape to Gibraltar, then home, much more hazardous.

Spanish forces would have helped occupy Morocco, as there was a Spanish Morocco anyway. And this would have hampered Anglo-American efforts if an operation like 'Torch' were to take place in the 'alternative war'.

Spain did make a few actions during the initial stages of World War II. Taking advantage of the German invasion of France, Nationalist Spain captured the international zone, Tangier on the north Moroccan coast.

[Hop]

All shipping for Egypt and North Africa went round Africa and up Suez anyway, so losing Gib isn't going to make much difference there. It would almost certainly lead to the loss of Malta, though, as much of the resupply for Malta came past Gib.

Morocco would probably be safe, because Vichy France were desperate to protect their overseas colonies, and any sign of Hitler allowing Spain to expand at their expense would see the rest of French overseas possesions much more friendly to the allies.

On the negative side for Germany, the British would immediately aquire a usefull naval base in the Canary Islands, and Germany would be responsible for supplying Spain with food, which she was currently importing. (the British would blockade Spain, cutting off most imports).

So, the upside for Germany is gaining Gib and Malta, the downside is a lot more mouths to feed, a lot more soldiers to equip (Spainish industry was poor, to say the least), a lot more oil required. And the likelihood of a nasty guerilla war once Russia enters the war the British start supplying weapons to the former republican forces in Spain.

[plan_D]

"All shipping for Egypt and North Africa went round Africa and up Suez anyway, so losing Gib isn't going to make much difference there. It would almost certainly lead to the loss of Malta, though, as much of the resupply for Malta came past Gib."

Losing Gibraltar, and losing Malta would make a massive difference. Losing Gibraltar would allow the Kriegsmarine to roam freely in the Med, increasing the Axis naval power in that area while forcing all Royal Navy vessels around Africa and up through the Suez. Losing Malta would deprive Great Britain of the sole base to hamper Axis supply efforts into North Africa, which would allow the Afrika Korps to be constantly resupplied without harassment.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

In the end as I said in my other post it would have done nothing to help the Germans for the reasons as I stated. The only way it could have helped was initially by taking Gibraltor.