[Neutrino 123]

Here are a few random facts I sometimes see overlooked in 1943 invasion discussions.

Torch would definitely still have taken place. A 1943 Overlord (Roundup I think?) would have been held at the same time as the invasion of Sicily, early July, when the Germans were bogged down in Kursk (the west knew of the impending Kursk offensive and warned the Soviets, though they had plenty of warning by themselves).

Husky was a big invasion, so I don't see the inital forces being vastly different then the historical overlord (unless of course, the invasion was at Pas de Calais, a distinct possibility due to the Atlantic wall being much worse in 1943 then 1944).

Another factor to consider would be the air forces. The luftwaffe was certainly more capable in 1943 then 1944. However, this would not be as great a factor as it might first appear. If the Luftwaffe wanted to attack, it would need to operate bombers against the Western air force, a very difficult proposition. To contest the skies, the Luftwaffe would only need fighters. These fighters were historically used to attack the U.S. strategic bomber offensive (which lacked effective long-range escort until the P-51). Now they would have to deal with Allied short-range fighters too, so they would probably be killed faster then historically.

A rarely considered factor is the level of American commitment to the European Theatre of Operations. With a 1943 invasion in France, Paciifc Operations (in terms of Army ground firces) might be scaled down. This could slow the war in the Pacific, but make noticibly more resources avalible for Europe (due to distance considerations, it is easier to supply a division in Europe then the Pacific). Divisions would also suffer fewer non-combat casulties in Europe then the jungles of Pacific islands.

Finally, the armor avalible to the Allies in 1943 was much better compared to the Germans then in 1944. In 1943, the Germans were mostly composed of Mk IV tanks that were roughly on par with the early Shermans. Tigers were rare, and the first use of Pathers (a brigade of 100) was at Kursk. I'm guessing that the forces initially in the west were worse then average, and probably had alot of MkIIIs, Sherman meat except at close range. Meanwhile due to the scale of the invasion. the Allies might realize how much the Sherman sucked sooner (despite the initial much easier time it will have, there will still be a few Tigers scattered about and other factors), and bring in the later-model Shermans and Pershings earlier then historically.