WWII what if?

Question

What would have happened if italy had remained nuetral during the war?
How different would the outcome have been especially in light of the delay the germans had in the balkins?
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I mentioned the balkins because the mess in the balkins delayed barbarossa for 6 weeks,
Had barbarossa gone ahead on scheduale the germans would have entered moscow before the rain came.
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Also germanys southern flank would have been protected by a nuetral country.
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Answer 1

Bravo on the Balkans analogy. The German foray into the Balkans did indeed delay Barbarossa for over a month. The Italians were more of a hindrance to the Germans then an Ally. You also have to consider that if Italy was a neutral, then the Germans may not have a had a North African adventure, and thus Irwin Rommel might have well made a name for himself on the Eastern Front.

The outcome. Barbarossa launches on May 1, 1941 (as opposed to June 22, 1941). The Soviets are dealt the same death blow as before (that was essentially what it was), with the majority of Soviet Field Armies being essentially destroyed within the first six weeks.

German Armies encircle Moscow in September, and begin an offensive. Moscow is occupied in October. The Soviet seat of government in evacuated east of the Urals. Germans manage to hold on to Moscow for another two years, and are ejected in February 1943. Everything else remains the same.

Now, if the Germans drove to the Caucus oil fields in a timely manner, or did not declare war on the United States, things could have been very different. You may also consider that if the Germans did not declare war on the United States, then the US would have no reason to ship lend-lease supplies to the Russians, which were VERY extensive, so extensive some historians believe they save Russian forces from starving. What would have happened in the US never aided the Soviets?

Answer 2

I think that hitler would have taken over Italy just like he did to most neutral countries in the earlier times of the nazi movement. Now to clarify if Musolini was the dictator there it could have been diffent and Hitler could have struck a deal with Benito. Either way the Balkin territories were still hard to deal with because of their mixed ties and location. It could have gone smoother without the Italins in the way and Barbarossa would have gone on time and who knows mabye Stalingrad would have turned out differently

Answer 3

No difference, the Germans would have occupied Italy just the same.

Answer 4

It would have been over *slightly* sooner.

The Italians were not much more than a speedbump in allied advance.