What if Italy begins to exploit Libia's oil in the 30'

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Kosmo
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Location: Bucharest

What if Italy begins to exploit Libia's oil in the 30'

#1

Post by Kosmo » 02 Dec 2005, 10:28

Former italian colony Libia became after the war one of the greatest oil exporters.
The libian oil is close to surface, low on sulf and being in higher areas does not need pomps to be sent to ports.
If Italy had started to exploit this oil:
-they would have more money to spend on weapons
-thay will not have to import coal for energy production
-Libya will be more developed and better defended
-Axis will have no oil supply problems as long as they can keep Libya and the supply line
For this I can see two results:
-Italy does not want to go to war against Britain fearing it might lose Libya and remains neutral, but helps Germany. They play an important role in diplomacy.
-Italy is much stonger and focused against France and Britain. The need to defend Libya will make them a naval power. So in June and July 1940 thay attack and conquer Egipt, Sudan, Malta and Tunisia. If they win they will rule Mediterrana and maybe bring Spain in war against Gibraltar and maybe link in Sudan with their forces in East Africa. This might help a peace between Axis and Britain in late 1940. If the british do not give up they can launch an attack against the Middle East where they have allies in Irak, Iran and Vichy French Syria.
Maybe this WI goes to far from some oil fields to a major change so...minimal change
-Libya will have better water sources, roads, railroads and ports and also fortifications and airfields
-Axis forces in Libya have a large supply of oil close to them
-Libya is very important for Germany so they send Rommel with a much larger force
-in order to secure the supply line the invasion of Malta is a must
-presure will be made against Vichy France for air bases in Tunisia
-(?) Barbarossa will be delayed a year. In 1941 Germany helps the italians to destroy the british forces in Mediterrana.
In the Indian Ocean this might lead to later cooperation with Japan. If the italians go to Iran they can attack the oil fields in the Persian Gulf and in soviet Caucasus.

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Tim Smith
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#2

Post by Tim Smith » 06 Dec 2005, 13:11



Kosmo
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Posts: 20
Joined: 04 Nov 2005, 10:16
Location: Bucharest

#3

Post by Kosmo » 06 Dec 2005, 17:26

Got that. Sorry!

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