Originally posted by Al Jassas
Hello to you all
I have been wondering for some time how was the relationship between Turkey and Nazi Germany. during the initial days of WWI both allies and the central powers woed Turkey into the war and Germany effectively bribed their way into wining the Turks. Did Nazi Germany try to woe Turkey especially that it was the most powerful nation in the Balkans and the middle east and the only country that managed to reverse most of the injustices they got from WWI. I want to know especially the relationship between Hitler and Attaturk and if Attaturk lived would he have joined Germany?
Al-Jassas |
From what I've read Turkey was not particularly 'pro-German' and certainly not 'pro-Nazi' during WWII. While Germany was at the height of its power in Europe during the war the Turks did act to 'appease' them by selling them some critical raw materials. However, this was restricted and eventually cut off as the tide turned against the Germans in the war. In fact the Turks ultimately declared war on Germany. If Germany had been much more 'victorious', I suppose it is possible that Turkey may have been tempted to the German's side to the extent of 'occupying' some territory that had been lost after WWI, however, I would tend to see their participation in that scenario more along the lines of what Bulgaria did - occupy some territory in neighbouring countries that had fallen to the Germans. No so much being an 'active' Axis minor ally, such as Italy or Rumania.
Edited by deadkenny - 21-Nov-2007 at 23:37