Germany could not have captured Gibraltar during WWII without full Spanish cooperation, making its capture impossible
What if Spain took Gibraltar ww2?
If Spain had seized Gibraltar during WWII, it would not have significantly changed the war’s outcome because Britain still controlled key Mediterranean routes
Spain was never likely to join WWII—Franco’s regime depended on German and Italian support just to rebuild after its brutal civil war. Even if Spain somehow grabbed Gibraltar, Britain still held Malta and the Suez Canal. The Royal Navy’s iron grip on the Mediterranean meant Britain could keep supply lines open to the Middle East. And let’s be honest, Spain’s military wasn’t exactly battle-ready at the time. The whole thing would’ve been a strategic sideshow.
Could the Germans have taken Gibraltar?
Germany could have captured Gibraltar only if Spain allowed Axis forces to operate from Spanish soil
Operation Felix—the German plan to grab Gibraltar—needed Spain’s green light to work. Franco said no thanks, mostly because Spain wasn’t ready for war and feared Allied retaliation. Even with German firepower, Gibraltar’s defenses were brutal—those steep cliffs and British naval power made a direct attack a suicide mission. Remember Crete in 1941? Airborne assaults against tough targets rarely paid off. Without Spain’s ports and roads, Germany never stood a chance.
What if Germany captured Malta?
If Germany had captured Malta during WWII, Britain’s Mediterranean supply routes would have been severely disrupted
Malta was Britain’s unsinkable aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean. Control it, and you control who gets supplies between Europe and North Africa. The Axis hammered Malta for years with air and sea attacks, desperate to knock it out. If they’d succeeded, Britain would’ve had to reroute ships all the way around Africa or through the Atlantic—longer, riskier, and way more expensive. But Malta’s defenders? They held on through sheer stubbornness and critical convoys like Operation Pedestal. The island survived, and the Axis never broke its spirit.
Why did Franco not attack Gibraltar?
Franco refused to attack Gibraltar because Spain lacked the military resources and feared Allied retaliation
Operation Felix needed Spain to provide bases and troops for a Gibraltar assault. Franco dragged his feet because Spain was broke and its military was a mess after the civil war. Plus, Spain still needed food and fuel from the Allies—siding openly with Germany would’ve cut off those lifelines. Franco played both sides for as long as he could, but in the end, survival mattered more than ideology. His refusal kept Spain out of the war and saved it from becoming a battlefield.
Why didn’t Germany invade Sweden?
Germany did not invade Sweden due to its strategic neutrality agreement and Sweden’s iron ore supply to Germany
Sweden’s neutrality wasn’t just talk—it had treaties in place (like the 1905 union dissolution) that kept its borders lightly defended. Germany, meanwhile, relied on Sweden’s iron ore to make weapons and tanks. Invading would’ve cut off that supply and risked Allied retaliation in the Baltic. Instead, Germany pressured Sweden to stay neutral while quietly allowing German troops to move through. Sweden played it smart: avoided occupation, supplied both sides, and kept its factories humming.
Why did Germany not invade Switzerland?
Germany did not invade Switzerland because Swiss neutrality served Nazi economic and wartime interests
Switzerland’s neutrality wasn’t just luck—it was a goldmine for the Nazis. Swiss banks stored looted gold and assets, and the country became a hideout for Nazi officials after the war. Invading would’ve been messy; those Alps make for terrible invasion terrain. Plus, Switzerland’s banking system kept Germany’s war machine running by handling trade with neutral countries. Hitler saw no reason to rock the boat when Switzerland was already doing the Nazis’ dirty work for them.
Why didn’t Spain take back Gibraltar?
Spain did not retake Gibraltar due to the principle of self-determination and international diplomatic opposition
Spain’s claim on Gibraltar always hit a wall: the people who live there. Gibraltarians are overwhelmingly British and have voted time and again (like that 99.6% in 2002 referendum) to stay under UK rule. The UN told Spain to back off, and even the EU sided with Gibraltar. Without UN backing or military muscle, Spain couldn’t justify a takeover. Diplomacy failed, and Gibraltar stayed put—because the locals said so.
How did Spain stay out of ww2?
Spain remained neutral in WWII due to Franco’s pragmatic leadership and Spain’s economic vulnerability
Franco declared neutrality in 1939, and for good reason—Spain’s economy and military were in shambles after its civil war. Even when France fell in 1940, Spain stayed “non-belligerent” instead of joining the Axis. But here’s the catch: Spain needed Allied oil and food to survive. Getting too cozy with Germany would’ve cut off those supplies. Franco’s balancing act kept Spain out of the war and out of trouble.
Why did Spain give Gibraltar to Britain?
Spain ceded Gibraltar to Britain in 1713 under the Treaty of Utrecht after losing the War of Spanish Succession
The Treaty of Utrecht ended that brutal succession war, and Britain walked away with Gibraltar as part of the deal. Spain’s defeat weakened its global standing, and Britain snapped up the territory for its Mediterranean dominance. The Suez Canal’s opening in 1869 made Gibraltar even more valuable—it became the choke point between Britain and its Asian colonies. Spain’s old claims haven’t gone away, but Gibraltar’s been British ever since.
Why did Germany not invade Malta?
Germany did not invade Malta due to the high risk of failure and diversion of resources from North Africa
Operation Herkules—the planned invasion of Malta—was a non-starter for a few reasons. Göring, head of the Luftwaffe, didn’t want another Crete-style disaster on his hands. Rommel, Germany’s North Africa commander, initially liked the idea but realized it’d drain resources from his campaign. Malta’s defenders were tough, and Allied convoys kept them supplied. Hitler had bigger fish to fry, so Malta got blockaded instead of invaded. The Axis never cracked it.
Who controlled Malta during ww2?
Malta was controlled by Britain during WWII, despite relentless Axis bombing campaigns
As a British colony, Malta was in the Axis’s crosshairs from day one. Its position between Sicily and North Africa made it a prime target for Italian and German bombers. Over 6,700 tons of bombs rained down on the island in just two years. But Malta held on—its defenders, including the RAF and Royal Navy, refused to surrender. The island’s resilience kept Britain’s Mediterranean lifelines open until the Allies finally turned the tide in 1943.
How many tons of bombs were dropped on Malta?
Over 6,700 tons of bombs were dropped on Malta during WWII
From June 1940 to December 1942, Malta took a beating like no other place its size. Axis forces pounded harbors, airfields, and even civilian areas in a relentless siege that lasted 154 days and nights. The goal? Starve Malta into surrender and strangle Britain’s supply routes to North Africa. But Malta’s people and defenders dug in. Critical convoys like Operation Pedestal kept the island alive, and by 1943, the Allies had turned the tables.
Did Mexico fight in ww2?
Mexico entered WWII in 1942 after Germany sank its tankers and became an active belligerent
Mexico stayed neutral until Germany’s U-boats sank its oil tankers *Potrero del Llano* and *Faja de Oro* in 1942. That pushed Mexico to declare war on the Axis. Its biggest contribution? The 201st Fighter Squadron, which fought in the Pacific alongside the U.S. military. Mexico also sent oil and raw materials to the Allies, proving even distant countries could play a role in defeating the Axis.
Why did Germany not invade Turkey?
Germany did not invade Turkey because Hitler prioritized other strategic goals and sought Turkish neutrality
In March 1941, Hitler wrote to Turkish President İsmet İnönü, basically saying, “Don’t worry, we’re not coming for you.” Instead, Germany asked to move troops through Turkey to support Iraq against Britain. Turkey played it cagey, staying neutral while balancing relations with both sides. Hitler’s focus on the Eastern Front and North Africa meant Turkey wasn’t a priority. Its location and resources made neutrality the smart move.
When did Spain stop being a world power?
Spain ceased to be a global power in the early 19th century following colonial independence movements
Spain’s fall from grace started early—when its American colonies broke free in the 1800s. The Peninsular War against Napoleon (1808–1814) drained Spain’s economy and military. By the mid-1800s, Spain’s global influence was a shadow of what it once was. It still held onto Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines until the Spanish-American War in 1898. That loss marked the final nail in Spain’s colonial coffin, leaving it a regional player at best.
Edited and fact-checked by the MeridianFacts editorial team.
