Adding Spain, Turkey, Saudi Arabia & Sweden as Optional Countries
The term optional is used as because the Allies played by a different set of rules from the Axis, with more of a dedication to not invade a declared ‘neutral’ country and to influence ‘non-belligerent’ to their aide through more diplomatic means.
-Spain Value=3-ipcs
after just finishing a hard civil war prior to WW2, and though aided by both Italy and Germany to different extents during, Spain was reluctant to actively join the Axis without certain needs being met that historically were more than the Axis (Germany especially) was willing to meet. However, Spain’s military was battle hardened and would have met any attack from either side of the war, though to what extent they would have been able to resist is seen as not beatable by the Germans. Historically the value of fighting for the land was not convincing enough with other fronts already open.
Spain defense at 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery and 1 Fighter.
***Additionally, because of the close possibility of Spain joining the Axis, a preliminary Split Loyalties roll will be given. If Germany attacks, prior to the combat, a roll of 1 will gain a diplomatic win and Spain immediately becomes a partisan for the Axis and a protectorate of Germany. If Italy attacks, a roll of 1 or 2 will gain diplomatic win and Spain becomes protectorate of Italy. No Divided Loyalties roll is given for a Japanese attack.
-Turkey Value=3ipcs Turkey was never as close to the Axis as Spain, though they were tied to Germany for trade reasons. Their borders were held and they did not plan any attacks with Germany like Operation Felix in Spain against Gibraltar. Turkey was still in transition from WW1 aftermath however and did sign a non-aggression pact with Germany (though so did the Soviet Union) before finally joining the Allies late in the war. Though Turkey had over 200,000 troops, including air and mechanized divisions, they were very poorly equipped and trained compared to other nations in the war.
3 Infantry, 2 Fighters
***Control of Turkey will allow Dardanelles to be opened to naval passage if using optional rule for Dardanelles.
Saudi Arabia Value=4ipcs
-at best during WW2, about 15000 troops were able to be called upon by the king, and their arms had not changed much since the WW1. Most of the troops rode camels and their loyalties were not always with the king. Oil was the huge prize to the Allies here that was to be protected.
2 Infantry, not for numbers of troops, but for vast desert routes to traverse to reach targets.
Sweden Value=3ipcs
-Sweden made concessions to both Allies and Axis during the war, though perhaps more to the Axis, including tons of iron ore per year. However, Sweden was declared non-belligerent during the war due to allowing volunteers to aid Finland against the Soviet Union. Sweden’s military defense budget sky-rocketed from the 30’s on to help allow itself to remain sovereign.
3 Infantry, 2 Artillery
**Additonal bonus, the ability to close the Baltic Straits when controlling both Sweden and Northwestern Europe to enemy naval passage.
