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Post by raharris1973 on Nov 10, 2023 3:50:43 GMT
What if Britain never lost Minorca, and it stayed as British as Gibraltar?
How much more populous is it than Gibraltar? How much more could it, and would it be, on a year-round basis, under continued British rule? How hybridized would the culture be, between Hispano-Mediterranean elements and British? Would it be a sorer point for Spain, because it is bigger? Or a less sore point, because it is not physically attached to the mainland? Or about equally sore?
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Post by simon darkshade on Nov 10, 2023 7:11:20 GMT
1.) At least the current 100,000 and likely a bit larger.
2.) Depending on circumstances, through to the late 1960s at least.
3.) Majority Hispano-Med
4.) Equally sore; as you suggest, things balance out.
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michelvan
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Post by michelvan on Jan 8, 2024 18:38:07 GMT
I can imagine several things with Minorca
The British Navy install large Navy base in Minorca for their Mediterranean fleet.
Follow in WW1 with cat and mouse games at Minorca under RN and German U-boote.
or megalomaniac little Austrian, who screams to his Admirals and Reichsluftmarschall: EROBERRR DIESE INSEL!!!
in 1960s onwards Minorca would become a very popular British holidays Destination. its Spain, but under British control !
Also that British Movie and TV productions will use Minorca as cheap "exotic" location.
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michelvan
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Post by michelvan on Jan 10, 2024 17:10:30 GMT
i had think about EROBERRR DIESE INSEL!!!
The Luftwaffe and Reichsmarine would there issue with order by Austrian painter.
they strategy is bomb and drop paratroopers to take Minorca.
from south France or Italian Sardinia it 400 km to Minorca mean 800km range needed,
most fighter and bomber hat range to fly to island, made dogfight bomb run for several minutes and need to return.
Means that Air-fight over Minorca can be won easy by RAF aircraft.
For Sea battle similar issue, can Germany move battleships in position to attack Minorca ?
i think not, the RN would sink them once they attempt to enter the Mediterranean with help of Fairey Swordfish
who also decimate the Italian fleet...
i would not be surprised if Göring on speed, order drop of Paratroopers on Minorca, who failed miserable, Remember Crete?
now enter Franco the game, with island of Mallorca, was is only 40 km from Minorca.
Certain the megalomaniac little Austrian will demand Franco support for attack and invasion from Mallorca.
Franco manage successful to carefully circulate the demand support for German invasion of Gibraltar from Spain.
but a Double Demand ? will Franco be so lucky or megalomaniac little Austrian lose his temper and order invasion of Spain ?
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