“Looking back today it seems clear that 1941 was the last year when both the advantages of the moment and the prospects for the future were really favourable to the Axis powers. The reasons why the dictators were unable to exploit their advantage to the point of victory were, firstly, the stubborn British resistance on sea, land and in the air; secondly, the many defeats inflicted on Italy, which compelled the Germans either to reinforce their weaker partner or accept her collapse; and, thirdly, Hitler’s blunder in attacking Russia what time he still had not subdued the resolute people of an i…
