Its easy to say that but, what really flipped it was the MR pact. Poland had screwed itself by invading Czechoslovakia just prior to this.Sure, if they never want to be taken seriously again and allow Hitler to dominate the Continent.
Not unless Chamberlain is looking to be thrown out of office in March 1939. Not only was there broad support for the guarantee but the Military Training Act passed in May. Once the Nazis marched into Prague war was all but inevitable and Poland was going to be the flashpoint.Is there any possibility that that due to its actions surrounding the Munich Agreement the Allies decide *not* to guarantee Poland in 1939 and if not how does this change WW2?
"Pakt Ribbentrop-Beck," a load of delusional wish-fulfillment. It should not be taken seriously, as that ending shows--the road between Berlin and Moscow passes through Warsaw. There is no plausible joint German-Polish invasion of the Soviet Union that doesn't also have Poland saturated in German troops that can easily prevent Poland from changing sides (as the OTL German invasion of Hungary shows).If England and France do not provide guarantee to Poland, then Poland cuts deal with Hitler allowing Germany to have access to Danzig. Hitler convinces Poland to attack USSR with Germany. Yes the Poles are not Aryan in Hitler's eyes, but Hitler had no problem making an alliance with the Hungarians and Rumanians.
There is an alternate history with this premise. Unfortunately, it is written in Polish, and I am unaware of any translation. As I recall Poland eventually turns on Germany and wins WW II.
If anyone knows of a translation of this alternate history, I would be interested in reading it.
Yes, the only way it could have happened is if Stalin would have had a personality transplantat and attacked Poland after Munich (or Prague)."Pakt Ribbentrop-Beck," a load of delusional wish-fulfillment.
Any way the French could pass and the British do a blockade only war. Allowing France to complete 1940 is a much stronger France.
Is there any possibility that that due to its actions surrounding the Munich Agreement the Allies decide *not* to guarantee Poland in 1939 and if not how does this change WW2?
Wasn't Hitler originally intending in early 1939 to attack France (and possibly Britain as well) first in the early 1940s before turning east to invade the Soviet Union? His Obersalzburg speech in August 22, 1939 seems to give me the impression that was his original intention in 1939.With Britain & France dithering, as Htler hoped, he is free to plan a attack on the USSR in 1940. Pros & Cons to that. If you trace the writings and speeches from Hitlers fevered brain, previous to September 1939, this was a one of his primary fantasies. That he could conquer the Slavs & give Germany considerable strategic depth before "One last final struggle with France." No guarantee of this, but it fits his thinking.
Adolf Hitler said:It was clear to me that a conflict with Poland had to come sooner or later. I had already made this decision in the spring, but I thought that I would first turn against the West in a few years, and only after that against the East. But the sequence of these things cannot be fixed. Nor should one close one’s eyes to threatening situations. I wanted first of all to establish a tolerable relationship with Poland in order to fight first against the West. But this plan, which appealed to me, could not be executed, as fundamental points had changed. It became clear to me that, in the event of a conflict with the West, Poland would attack us. Poland is striving for access to the sea. The further development appeared after the occupation of the Memel Territory and it became clear to me that in certain circumstances a conflict with Poland might come at an inopportune moment. I give as reasons for this conclusion: 1. First of all two personal factors: My own personality and that of Mussolini.
Wasn't Hitler originally intending in early 1939 to attack France (and possibly Britain as well) first in the early 1940s before turning east to invade the Soviet Union? His Obersalzburg speech in August 22, 1939 seems to give me the impression that was his original intention in 1939.
That would be an interesting strategic dilemma. If the Germans accept that they are facing a long war with France, then it makes sense to attack the USSR first to secure the resources needed for that kind of war. In OTL they viewed a drawn out struggle with France as a distinct possibility, according to my reading of Wages of Destruction, specifically the way they were prioritizing ammunition production in the winter of 39-40.His speeches & documents of his meetings with the Foreign office and the Wehrmacht leaders are contradictory. Some people see the trend one way, some another direction. My take is his opportunism would lead him east, as in 1941. In 1939 the Red Army was judged inferior, and more so in 1940. Absent a war in the west defeating the USSR would be a attraction.
Or feel they have the right sort of cover with France/UK - If say the war is kicked of because the USSR does Winter War - Poland edition, then there might be a scenario where France and the UK sides with Poland (and by proxy Germany).That would be an interesting strategic dilemma. If the Germans accept that they are facing a long war with France, then it makes sense to attack the USSR first to secure the resources needed for that kind of war. In OTL they viewed a drawn out struggle with France as a distinct possibility, according to my reading of Wages of Destruction, specifically the way they were prioritizing ammunition production in the winter of 39-40.
I think in a scenario where Poland is a German satellite (however reluctant), the USSR is not going to risk attacking it. The Winter War only happened after the Germans gave Moscow the effective go ahead to remodel parts of Eastern Europe in the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact.Or feel they have the right sort of cover with France/UK - If say the war is kicked of because the USSR does Winter War - Poland edition, then there might be a scenario where France and the UK sides with Poland (and by proxy Germany).
"Pakt Ribbentrop-Beck," a load of delusional wish-fulfillment. It should not be taken seriously, as that ending shows--the road between Berlin and Moscow passes through Warsaw. There is no plausible joint German-Polish invasion of the Soviet Union that doesn't also have Poland saturated in German troops that can easily prevent Poland from changing sides (as the OTL German invasion of Hungary shows).
I agree with much of what has been said of Pakt Ribbentrop-Beck. But would 40 Polish divisions (I grant that these are primarily poorly equipped infantry division) thrown entirely against Leningrad be enough for the Germans to capture that city and solve some (but certainly not all) of their supply problems?"Pakt Ribbentrop-Beck," a load of delusional wish-fulfillment. It should not be taken seriously, as that ending shows--the road between Berlin and Moscow passes through Warsaw. There is no plausible joint German-Polish invasion of the Soviet Union that doesn't also have Poland saturated in German troops that can easily prevent Poland from changing sides (as the OTL German invasion of Hungary shows).