And so the Sicilian campaign has a most disappointing conclusion. Still, one never knows what the future might hold.
A pity: not securing Messina in time proved critical. May the Austrian Corporal be forced to eat his words on some glorious future day.Allied invasion of Sicily turned into a complete disaster. German Fuhrer Hitler mocked British-French invasion in a radio broadcast.
This seems inevitable, with or without Axis reinforcements from Sicily.In Greece, Athens has fallen. Greek Army continues to resist bravely but with reinforcements coming from Sicily, the end may come soon.
As it proved to be, alas.Greek Army capitulated. This puts an end to last Allied resistance in Europe. Greek government relocated to the island of Crete.
A small compensation, but better than nothing.Pro-German government in Iraq was overthrown. The British agreed to temporary union of Free French Syria and Iraq.
I imagine everyone is cursing Churchill for listening to that De Gaulle fellow, there were other Free French options available after all. There could be a few awkward moments in the House about all this, or possibly something worse.Well that was a tragedy, I can't imagine relations between the UK and France are good right now.
Excellent. Throw away the key on these filthy collaborators.Gaullist coup in French Morocco succeeded. Officers loyal to Free French cause stormed public buildings in French Morocco and arrested all pro-Vichy officials.
The big one: let’s hope the Soviets can withstand the onslaught.Germany declared war on Soviet Union. This development may open new window of opportunities in the West if Germans are bogged down against the Red Army
That is very good news, at least.Red Army defeated Finnish forces along its border. Red Army is currently closing towards Helsinki.
Huzzah! That is a theatre Free France can handle, at least.18 Free French divisions participates in the invasion of Iran.
Good. Though it may not be enough ...German advance slowed down considerably with the onset of Russian winter.
Handing France the entire Middle Eastern oil supply (Saudi had nothing till post-WW2 really). There is no way this will go horribly, catastrophically wrong and come back to bite Britain.
On the plus side, the Eastern Front meat grinder is now in operation. This is only a plus for everyone who isn't Axis or Soviet obviously, but it will make returning to Europe a great deal easier once all the Germans have frozen to death or swamped by a human wave attack.