Hello OP and potential answerers! On the second question, just a reminder of the subreddit's rule against speculation: do keep answers based in reality, which can encompass actual events, plans, discarded plans and so on. OP, if you'd like to explore imagined alternative outcomes, do consider x-posting to /r/HistoryWhatIf. Thanks!

I would recommend looking at this post that I've written a while back. If you have any other questions I will certainly address them if you wish.