Quote:
Originally Posted by MontE
I agree that Turkey was in a weakend state, but in 1940-42 it looked like Axis victory in Europe. Just like Germany, Turkey was a weakend, humiliated and castrated state by the treaty of Versailles. The empire stripped and lingering wounds of the First world war could easily have lead to the same sort of Nationalism and resentment against Britain and France that would lead them to throw their weight against the (at the time seemingly) crumbling facade of British/Frence power in the region.
I agree that Turkey would not want a war with the Soviets but they had many scores to settle in THEIR region and much to gain by joining the growing Axis power in Europe.
As stated above, the entry of Turkey into the war would have altered the outcome of the battle for Africa, the middle east and would eventualy have reprecusions for the USSR and eventualy India as they became more intangled in the Axis alliance (For better or worse to their initial cause)
I think this is a valid "What If" and deserves a closer look "Bump"
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The battle of Africa was an attempt to save Italy from humiliation and to prevent the allies from attacking via Africa. What is the point of capturing all of North Africa? It would mean even more divisions wasted on minor fronts.
Attacking India from the Middle East? You must be joking. Germany didn't even have the strength to fully conquer the USSR, and trying to occupy the Middle East and India at the same time was out of the question. If you ask me, I think the African front shouldn't have even existed.
So no, the entry of turkey in the war would not have changed the over all situation for the better, but for the worse.