Peace in Our Time

Peace in Our Time

November 9, 1938 – Maurice Bavaud stands on a Munich street corner. He fingers a reporter’s clipboard . . . . . . and a Schmeisser 6.35 mm pistol. He is waiting for the moment, the climax, the crowning event of the evening. This day would be immortal in history. He would be immortal in history. The grand agent of Bolshevist influence in Germany would be destroyed. The independence of the Swiss Germans would be retained. The faint whispers of the crowd became a low roar. Louder. Louder. HITLER! HITLER! HITLER! No, wait, they were yelling BAVAUD KILL HIM! BAVAUD KILL HIM! The crowd was cheering him on. The destiny of the freedom of the world and the great triumph of the faithful over the atheistic Fascisto-Communism was soon at hand. His eyes narrowed, a cloud of steely determination hanging over them. The target was out of range. He considered for a second. This was merely another one of God’s tests. He had talked to God today, and yesterday, and he knew what God wanted him to do. The triumph of Satan could not be allowed to happen. He paused, then leapt over the fence. He raised the pistol. Aimed. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG.

November 9, 1938 – “Der Führer . . . . . . ist tot.” Said the voice on the radio. Said the voice of Ludwig Beck. General, now the chancellor. The conspirators have been caught. They have confessed. And they have been shot. Let us all be silent and remember the great man, and his many achievements for the German people. And rest assured, Germany shall arise from this tragedy greater than it has ever been before.”

November 9, 1938 – Telephones, telegraphs. Radio. Ten thousand typewriters, their keys madly clicking. The führer of Germany, the man who had just triumphed at Munich, was dead, shot in that very city. Who was behind this? Was it a further threat to peace? What of the new German government.

November 10, 1938 – “Certain elements within the Party, in conjunction with Socialist and Bolshevist elements, have been found to have plotted the demise of our führer. Therefore, the National Socialist Party and all others shall be integrated into the National Party of Germany, the NPD. No mercy shall be shown to Communist elements within Germany. The SS and SA have been found to be hotbeds of this treacherous subversion, and shall be integrated into the army. To prevent the indoctrination of German children in dangerous Marxite-Bolshevist ideals, the Hitler Youth and BDM shall be reorganized into the KAD, the Children’s Union of Germany. Let us praise the resilience of Germany in its darkest hour!”

Earlier . . .

November 9, 1938 – Admiral Wilhelm Canaris received a telegram. A telegram that he could scarcely believe, but made his job much easier. He picked up the phone, dialed the number
of Walther von Brauchitsch, and said “The Führer is dead. It is time.” It was no longer September, but it would have to do.

November 9, 1938 – Army units throughout Germany begin disarming the SS and disbanding the Nazi Party.

November 9, 1938 – Himmler, Goebbels, and Goering are arrested in Munich.


The New Reich Government:


Wilhelm Canaris – President (Position re-created)

Ludwig Beck – Chancellor

Karl Goerdeler – Vice Chancellor

Minister of Foreign Affairs – Konstantin Freiherr von Neurath

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs - Ernst von Weizsäcker

Minister of the Interior – Wilhelm Canaris

Minister of Finance – Hjalmar Schacht

Minister of Economics and Food – Alfred Hugenberg

Minister of Labor – Position abolished

Minister of Justice – Franz Gürtner

Minister of Defense – Werner von Blomberg (Position re-created)

Minister of Posts and Transport - Paul Freiherr von Eltz-Rübenach (unchanged)

Minister of Propaganda - Wilhelm Canaris


A DNP armband for use on military dress uniforms.

Hey, won't the SS fight back or something?

If the Fuhrer was killed in 1939, why do they only know after 3 years?

Why do they suddenly decide to disarm the SS and disband the Nazi party? That makes no sense.

Slamet said:

Hey, won't the SS fight back or something?

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They would probably try but in 1939 I think they were still pretty small, a couple of regiments or so. More concerned about whether the army would have the sense and gumption to move against the Nazis fully and how the people, fed propaganda for the last 6 years on the achievements of the party would respond.

Steve

This would closely mirror the Generals conspiracy that was in place in 1938. They planned to arrest Hitler if he had provoked a war with the Allies that year over Czechoslovakia. The plans had been laid, then set aside. They could probably be put into place in a hurry in 1939. The question is whether the Nazis left could move faster than the Army, I don't think so as there was bound to be some internal strife to deal with first.

I think in this circumstance, particularly before the 1940 campaign which really cemented Hitler's hold on the German people, the Army probably could pull off a coup where Hitler had been killed by a third party. The Nazis left would probably be vulnerable and the Army could say it was moving to get Germany out of a war that the populace was not too happy about.

Hashasheen said:

If the Fuhrer was killed in 1939, why do they only know after 3 years?

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Oops . . . ALL DATES HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO 1938. This is making me very embarrassed.

xxmagex said:

This would closely mirror the Generals conspiracy that was in place in 1938. They planned to arrest Hitler if he had provoked a war with the Allies that year over Czechoslovakia. The plans had been laid, then set aside.

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Exactly. They're just being put into place 2 months (*not 14 months*) behind schedule. Their chances for success also greatly increased in this circumstance because the entire Nazi hierarchy is in Munich, for the 15th anniversary of the Beer Hall Putsch. This way, Berlin is free for the taking, and the Nazi hierarchy could be tied to a third-party assassination.

November 10, 1938 - The Imperial Tricolor is declared the sole flag of Germany.

November 10, 1938 - Admiral Horthy in Hungary is the first to recognize the new German government. France, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Yugoslavia, the Baltic states, Poland, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg recognize the new German government.

November 11, 1938 - The SS is fully disbanded. Italy, Spain, Japan, the United States, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Albania, every South and Central American country, and Siam recognize the new German government.

November 13, 1938 - The Soviet Union recognizes the new German government.

November 14, 1938 - The funeral of Adolf Hitler is a private affair, limited to some family, and thousands of soldiers are sent to keep it that way. His body immediately procedes to be cremated after the funeral, and his ashes are scattered across the whole of Germany from an airplane. Even so, some conspiracy theorists believe his body is cryogenically frozen in a secret vault in the Reichstag.

November 15, 1938 - Diplomatic relations begin anew between Germany and the Republic of China, although Germany does not end their recognition of Manchukuo. General von Falkenhausen requests to be sent back to China.

About the new German government:

The new government is mainly composed of members of the Prussian military aristocracy, the "Junkers," the only element of German society not successfully penetrated by Nazi ideology. They are not Hitler, but they are violently nationalistic, extremely militaristic (Ludwig Beck joined the anti-Hitler resistance in the army because he disliked civilian control of the military!), classist, angrily reactionary, showing little tolerance for Communist or Socialist movements within Germany, or even trade unions, racist, anti-Semetic, and authoritarian. They would have been be all for the Nazis had they not (correctly) thought that Hitler would lead them into an unwinnable war. But, as said, they are not Hitler, and might seem comparatively quite progressive. Another difference of opinion between them and Hitler is that the new government is supportive of the free market rather than central planning, and so, to the average German, unaware of OTL, that will be the largest difference between the Nazis and the "DNP."

I like it - keep going !

One small point - why was the position of Minister of Labour abolished ?

Best Regards
Grey Wolf

Grey Wolf said:

One small point - why was the position of Minister of Labour abolished ?

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The new German government sees trade unions as one step away from Communism. They see no need to have an official figure to negotiate with them (also, I couldn't think of anyone good to fill the position).

November 15, 1938 – The first statement of the new German foreign ministry is that it’s foremost commitment is to preserving the peace in Europe, and clarifies that the Anti-Comintern Pact is a purely defensive alliance with no obligations to declare war. Incidentially, this makes the Pact seem much more favorable to countries that had been considering joining, and as more countries join, the pact no longer carries “pariah state” connotations.
November 16, 1938 – China and Spain join the Anti-Comintern Pact. Japan leaves the Pact.
November 17, 1938 – Hungary, Bulgaria, Bolivia, and Turkey join the Anti-Comintern Pact
November 18, 1938 – The Soviet Union protests over the rapid expansion of the pact directed against it. In response Germany threatens to withdraw its ambassador. Stalin backs down, though reluctantly.
November 19,1938 – Chile, Finland, Siam, Yugoslavia, Albania, Greece, Portugal, Romania, Albania, Siam, Brazil, Peru, Paraguay, and Uruguay join the Anti-Comintern Pact.
November 20, 1938 – Sweden joins the Anti-Comintern Pact
November 21, 1938 – Norway joins the Anti-Comintern Pact.
The military alliances of the world, November 1938:
Grey: Anti-Comintern Pact
Blue: Entente
Green: Organization of American States + Liberia
Yellow: Japan and subservient states
Stripes either indicate that a country is a member of multiple alliances or that it is not necessarily a member of one, but is so heavily influenced by it that for all intents and purposes, it is.

Tokyo, Japan – November 30, 1938
Imperial Palace – 10:23 AM
A part of a conversation in a private meeting before an extraordinary session of the Imperial Privy Council -

Arita (foreign minister) - . . . and what of the German situation? The so-called “Anti-Comintern Pact” is now being used to encircle and isolate Japan.

Ft. Adm. Prince Hiroyasu (navy chief of staff) – I always knew that the Germans were traitors! The wolves are confused and cowardly when the head “wolf” is dead!

Adm. Yoshida (navy minister) – I, too, had strong misgivings about the Germans, which have sadly been proven correct. I do, however, believe that the invincible twin hammers of Japan’s navy and faith in the Emperor can prevent any attempts at German aggression. Their alliance is weak, without any unifying figure to bind it together, and shall soon fracture.

Arita – I am already working to sow doubt in the ambassadors of the new signatories.

Gen. Tojo – We must not also forget the continuing and active threat to Manchukuo from the Russians, or that the Philippines remain a dagger pointed at the heart of Japan.

Hiroyasu – Our enemies attempt to encircle and strangle Japan. We must not let this happen. The time to strike is now!

Yoshida – But how ought we to strike, and whom?

Tojo – We must strike the Americans in a decisive battle, simultaneously occupying their Pacific territories.

Yoshida – But America has two fleets, one in the Pacific and in the Atlantic. Even if we manage to destroy the Pacific fleet in a decisive battle, the even stronger Atlantic fleet could still just sail through the Panama canal!

Tojo – We could just occupy the Panama canal too of course. Or are your SNLF not capable of such a feat, admiral?

Yoshida – They are capable of taking it, certainly, but the states of Central America are firmly under Americas finger. There is no reason they would not allow transit for American troops, if they don’t actually go to war with us themselves!

Hiroyasu – Cowardice in the Imperial Navy is not permitted. You, of all people, should know that, Yoshida.

Yoshida – Pragmatism is not cowardice. I am unsure of the threat America poses to us. They claim that they are going to grant the Philippines independence.

Arita – “Independent Philippinuo!”

Others - *laugh*

Tojo – It may seem funny, but Arita is right. It is a ruse to let Japan off her guard, before the aggressive imperialists of the US attempt to destroy Japan. Do not forget that it has been the US who have most consistently opposed us.

Yoshida – If I may interject, we might help our situation with a new ally.

Arita – Whom?

Yoshida – The Soviet Union.

Hiroyasu – COMMUNISTS!?!?

Yoshida – Although I, too find the idea of allying with Communists distasteful, our interests align almost completely. The price for allying with the Soviets is most likely Western China and recognition of Mongolia, lands almost entirely devoid of resources, and that would require millions of soldiers to occupy, if we could or wanted to occupy them at all. In return, we gain security for Manchukuo and later China, as well as gaining access to the vast Soviet reserves of manpower. The Soviet Union also produces large surpluses of every raw material Japan is scarce of, and our resource problem would be immediately solved. Soviet weapons designs and manufacturing knowledge are more advanced than ours, and could be highly advantageous to our armed forces. Meanwhile, as far as I know, Russia has no interests in the Pacific. If we weren’t blinded by ideological opposition, we would find that there could be no more natural ally to Japan.

Hiroyasu – That actually has some sense to it. If the Emperor consents, Arita, you should contact the Soviet ambassador about an alliance.

This is interesting - keep it going !

Best Regards
Grye Wolf

Oooh, plausible reasons for a Japanese-Soviet alliance... although the bit about resources, for some reason, does remind me of HOI2.

wormyguy said:

...

About the new German government:

The new government is mainly composed of members of the Prussian military aristocracy, the "Junkers," the only element of German society not successfully penetrated by Nazi ideology. They are not Hitler, but they are violently nationalistic, extremely militaristic (Ludwig Beck joined the anti-Hitler resistance in the army because he disliked civilian control of the military!), classist, angrily reactionary, showing little tolerance for Communist or Socialist movements within Germany, or even trade unions, racist, anti-Semetic, and authoritarian. They would have been be all for the Nazis had they not (correctly) thought that Hitler would lead them into an unwinnable war. But, as said, they are not Hitler, and might seem comparatively quite progressive. Another difference of opinion between them and Hitler is that the new government is supportive of the free market rather than central planning, and so, to the average German, unaware of OTL, that will be the largest difference between the Nazis and the "DNP."

Click to expand...

Grey Wolf said:

I like it - keep going !

One small point - why was the position of Minister of Labour abolished ?

Best Regards
Grey Wolf

Click to expand...

wormyguy said:

The new German government sees trade unions as one step away from Communism. They see no need to have an official figure to negotiate with them (also, I couldn't think of anyone good to fill the position).

Click to expand...

Ah, yes, this was something I came across during my MA studies (Modern History). Although this is more to do with the middle-class people who formed both Paul von Hindenburg's and the Nazis' natural supporters. Many of them were deeply reactionary, and...^ part of an MA essay on the popular appeal of military men in inter-war Europe... I thought it might be enlightening. A lot of the middle classes were pretty hostile to the post-WWI "Bolshevik" government (i.e. the SDP).

It's not that strange... think of how many Americans see Obama as a socialist.

In the map Thailand is marked as yellow with black stripes, but it only became a Japanese puppet in december 1941. Before that it was caught between both the British and Japanese spheres of influence but was fully independent.

alt_historian said:

Oooh, plausible reasons for a Japanese-Soviet alliance... although the bit about resources, for some reason, does remind me of HOI2.

Click to expand...

Ooh, that's my favorite game ever!

bernard patton said:

In the map Thailand is marked as yellow with black stripes, but it only became a Japanese puppet in december 1941. Before that it was caught between both the British and Japanese spheres of influence but was fully independent.

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True, but I think Thailand (which I believe was still at this point Siam, they voted to change the name in late 1938) could have been pretty easily "persuaded" into joining the Japanese sphere of influence in 1938.


Oct. 2, 1938 - A New Kind of War

Alexander von Falkenhausen sat at a dinner table in Chongqing. He picked at the leg of lamb, exquisitely produced by the finest French chefs. The Generalissimo and his wife sat across from him.

"Tell me," said Chiang, through his translator, "what is the purpose of these 'tank' things?"

"They traditionally can be used as mobile artillery to plug holes in infantry lines. Our current doctrine is that they be massed together into armored divisions, which are then used to exploit weakness and break through enemy lines. The speed of an armored advance can turn an orderly retreat into a rout."

"And how many of these 'tanks' are in an armored division, General?"

"500 to 600"

Madame Chiang butted in. "But tank divisions must be very expensive! I doubt that China could afford that expense."

"You need not worry about expense. Tanks are indeed quite expensive, but we'll let you borrow them until the end of the current war, and then you can decide whether you want to keep them or not. The tanks we are giving you, the models I and II, are presently being replaced with more modern designs in our forces, but they are nevertheless superior and available in greater quantities than any Japanese designs."

"When is the first shipment?" asked Chiang.

Von Falkenhausen chuckled. "There will never be a first shipment. Our policy is strictly non-interventionist, and if you were to, say, steal the designs from an unscrupulous diplomat, then reproduce them, that would be unfortunate, wouldn't it? I'd suppose you would produce 50 of them on the 23rd."

"Indeed. But what excuses will you make for 30,000 rifles and 2,500 'volunteer advisors'?"

Von Falkenhausen chuckled again. "What rifles? What volunteers?"

Ah - deniability. I like it...

Hah, I do too. Though Chiang isn't quite that backwoods.

Hitler actually goes down in History as a German hero in this scenario.. wow.

Love the opening "Mistuh Kurtz...he dead" line!