Quote:
Originally Posted by PeterG
With respect, I think you are a bit confused here. In 1943 Fascist Italy was part of the Axis and had to be defeated. Italy's collapse in September 1943 was entirely unforeseen, much as France's collapse was unforeseen in 1940.
The Allies, in Europe, were fighting against both Italy and Germany.
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Not confused at all. Italy was a minor ally in the war. As shown, without Italy, Germany could fight on for years. However, had Germany fallen in 44 the war would have ended in 44, Italy could not nor would not fight without her.
The original American plan called for an invasion of France in 43 if not 42. Churchill did not want to invade the continent until that last moment to avoid loss of life, and so he redirected the build up for RoundUp to Torch. Which the invasion of Italy was an extenion of.
So again why Italy. What did defeating Italy do that invading France would not have done?