I think Japan still would have invaded the Soviet Union though, if the Second Sino-Japanese War continued (the oil embargo only really happened once they invaded Indochina).
Other than that I agree with you. That would be curious alternate reality.
mr Veritas, I think the topic was about military leaders. We should be happy that the Finnish prime minister Kuusinen kept Finland out of the war etc. My point was that Mannerheim sucked as a military leader.
Most of the instincts of Mannerheim in the Winter War were correct, he was in support of conceding to the USSR’s demands, and not because of any sympathy for communism. He knew that war with Finland’s large powerful neighbour would end in tragedy and loss. While pushing for an acceptance of negotiation agreements, Mannerheim also saw the key to Finland’s defence and continuing sovereignty, even if there was a price attached. His intuition during the Winter War was invaluable, and more than any other man he was responsible for Finland’s retained independence after the war finished. The communists renewed propaganda about the “Bloody Baron” failed to stick and have effect due to the recognition of his importance to success.
source:http://ww2db.com/person_bio.php?person_id=70 Â to underline my argument.
And about Otto Wille Kuusinen you may want to recheck your source, but as well with anybody else here I´m prepared to agree to disagree.  :-)
I have to agree with Aequitas.
Finland RETAINED it’s soveirgnty after the war was over. No other Axis nation did.
I never understood how they did not end up raving commies. Happily of course!
Thanks Aequitas, I did read that link.
Something to do with the fact that they NEVER declared war on America, and that they kept paying their previous war debts to England, even though they were -by technical definition- at war with them.
God Bless America!
Did Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary then?
Silly if they did.
Italy(Mussolini to be precise) was the silliest for DOW with US.
@wittmann:
God Bless America!
Did Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary then?
Silly if they did.
Italy(Mussolini to be precise) was the silliest for DOW with US.
what do you mean?..paying their debt?..
I read somewhere (I could be wrong) That Finland owed some financial debts to the United Kingdom.
And that despite the bad blood, and being at war with the UK, that they maintained efforts to pay those loaned throughout the war.
Do you mean my: “God Bless America”?
Said it because I miss my best friend and A&A partner,who says it often and who loves all things American.
He has been twice and would live over there. He is a pharmacist and very disillusioned with the UK at the moment.
Also think Hitler’s and Mussolini’s DOW totally unnecessary and could have brought about their early demise.
@ Wittmann:
you were asking about Romania and Hungary and Bulgaria?
What is your question about them?..if they payed their debt?..
Garg said Finland never declared war on the US (DOW is our A&A way of saying it). I wondered if the other 3 nations that were later occupied by Russia declared war on the US.
@wittmann:
Garg said Finland never declared war on the US (DOW is our A&A way of saying it). I wondered if the other 3 nations that were later occupied by Russia declared war on the US.
NO they never declared war on the U.S. ,their declarations had been to Germany only, in 1944.
First they joint Warshaw Pact then Nato
Romania in Nato since 2004
Hungary sine 1999
Bulgaria since 2004 as well….
All three paid a very big price for WWII. for not starting it or finishing it, just beeing part of it…
I think it’s safe to say EVERYONE paid a big price for WWII…
Except… the Swiss?
I think neutral Sweden benefitet more, selling goods to everyone
I think neutral Sweden benefited more, selling goods to everyone
And Quisling who put it in his pocket.
Favorite General/Field Marshall? well that’s easy, General George S. Patton Jr. One of the few allied generals that the Axis really ever feared.
Rommel
Favorite General/Field Marshall? well that’s easy, General George S. Patton Jr. One of the few allied generals that the Axis really ever feared.
They didn’t. At least, there’s no verifiable source that says they did. While the German military leadership had a thorough respect for Patton’s abilities, they didn’t “fear” him.
I mention it because the topic has been discussed at length in this topic: http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=16779.0.
Thanks Herr Kaleun. I was not on this forum back then or would have followed that thread. Have read 3 pages so far! Will read all in time.