[FireGilbert]

^Good analysis CC.

The declaring war on America was another Hitler blunder. It wasn’t required by the Axis pact and provided FDR with his justification for the Germany first strategy.

I’ll also add I’m not sure if fortifying eastern and southern defences instead of Barbarossa was an option for the Nazis. Their economy was a house of cards reliant on constant expansion. I’m thinking a better option in 1941 is to invaded Turkey with the intention of using it to take over the British oil fields in Iraq and Iran. It was a logical step after taking over the Balkans. The Turks and the small British force in the Middle East would have been no match for the Wehrmacht resulting in a crippling blow to the British and being able to open up a 2nd Caucus front during the inevitable USSR confrontation.