1938 The confrontation with Germany

[Paul MacQ]

I doubt OTL disaster awaits France ATL, even if one-on-one with Germany. Not only is the Wehrmacht a shadow of 1940, but they've lost equip, men and supplies in Czech/Aust. And Poland will jump on their back. Best case for Germany is the Coup suceeds.

Oh, and chrisN, I'm happy any way it goes...follow your whims or roll a die.

Inclined to agree. If you get a ceasefire in next few days. Germany might be saved but the Nazis will be screwed,

Also Austria , I am not sure how big a chunk of Germany they have sliced off, But you can bet the Hothead Hitler will want a maximum effort against them now, He was the sort to Lose sight of priorities fast when the pressure was on.

His strength was he was an Opportunist, and this opportunity has been lost, Seemed to panic easy when thing are going bad.


Go Go Go the Coup!
Vive le France!
Go the Polish Calvary!
Save the German people from that tight little group of crackpots!!

Ether way a refreshing timeline.

 

[chris N]

The Coup: General Beck had contacted all of the coup members. It was time to act. General Beck had gathered a lot of support from officers that had opposed the Nazi's and had been fired as well as those that now felt that Hitler would be the death of Germany.

General Beck had made arrangements so that 2 elite German Army units, which now had officers that were loyal to the plotters were available. Hadler had arranges that any units that might support that idot Hitler were moved to the front. The Potsdam Grenadiers, formerly of the German Guard were quietly moved into the Capital. There mission was to seize the headquarters of Himmler, the Radio Station. Herman Goring and Mr Goebbels Also to be arrested were Mr Hess any any other Nazi Officials. Any resitance was to be met with deadly force. The elite Gross Deutschland Regiment would carry out a surprise attack on the Reich Chancellery Any attempt at resistance was to be crushed. Hitler was to be arrested and tried for war crimes against the German People.

Beck had the support of the Kaisers grandson, who agreed to work with any German government of national salvation. Contact had also been establish with Crown Price Ruppherdt , who was leading the German Legion. The former Bavarian Crown Prince was a dedicated anti-Nazi and had only raised the Legion to bring down Hitler.

Secret contact had also been made with Kaiser Otto Hapsburg, who was expected to help broker a peace agreement.

The day started out as any other day but suddenly the sound of army trucks and armored cars could be heard on the streets of Berlin. Troops leaded out of the trucks in full battle gear and rushed the HQ of Herr Himmler. The black uniformed SS guards made the mistake of resisting and actually firing on the grenadiers. fire was returned and the doors blown open Grenadiers rushed in and engages the SS personnel overwhelming them with firepower. Richard Heydrich was shot and mortally wounded. Himmlers office doors were blown of their hinges as the head of the Secret Police was taken screaming by the army.

Reich Marshal Goring was stunned when the Grenadiers stormed into his estate arresting him on the spot. Rudolph Hess surrendered wuithout any resistance.

The assault on Hitlers Bunker met resistance but Major General Rommel refused to fire on German Army troops and ordered those troops under his personal command to drop their weapons and surrender. The General had been reading the reports and simply could not believe the mess that Hitler had gotten Germany in, Still there was fighting that continued to go on.

The GrossDeutschland Grenadiers brought 75mm infantry guns to bare on the Chancellery as well as 50 and 81mm mortars. Even 2 0mm AT Guns were brought into action. It was the maximum use of firepower and strngth that was designed to crush all resistance. In less than 2 hours the seat of Government was in the hands of the Coup's. Victory was theirs

 

[chris N]

General Becks forces had managed to neutralize the entire Nazi Leadership. Herr Hitler was wounded in the exchange and in shock. General Beck had the former Foreign Minster call upon the British Embassy. The new Government was going to attempt to end the war and prevent France from starting a new one.

The Polish Embassy in Berlin reported the sound of gunfire and suggested that anything that the government in Warsaw wanted to do should be done now.

 

[chris N]

Rome : Mussolini has just received word of the coup in Berlin that has toppled the Nazi Regime. His first thought is that of how can I work this to my advantage. He calls his good friend the Austrian Chancellor to recommend that hostilities with German be ended and has his ambassador in Berlin contact the New Germany government and offer Italy's assistance in getting a cease fire with Austria and Czechoslovakia. The New German Foreign Minister has already talked to the English Ambassador and got assurance from him that Mr Chamberlain would do all that he could to prevent war. The British Government would lift the naval blockade with the word that Germany would withdraw from the Czech lands that it occupied.

The Luftwaffe had just launched an all out offensive which had given them control of the skies of Czechoslovakia. The Red Air Force "volunteers had been crushed but the Luftwaffe s skilled fighter pilots were exhausted.


Crown Prince Rupphardt was invited to Berlin to participate in the new German Government. His German Legion was invited to help stamp out the remaining Nazi forces in Bavaria.

Meanwhile Polish forces had entered Danzig. It appeared that one war had ended and another was about to start.

The German Government and the Czech Government both announced a cease fire and the withdrawal of forces. Austria announced the withdrawal of forces from Bavaria.

Mussoloini order his forces to prepare to invade Yugoslavia.

 

[Paul MacQ]

Mussolini order his forces to prepare to invade Yugoslavia.

???? how in 1938 ? With the resources he sent to the North and with a Germany looking for Armistice ?. Allot of Italian Equipment showing as lacking

Yugoslavia I believe still had French support and a Guarantee of its Statehood ?. Looking up the treaty details again. Not a defence pact, But a Guarantee for Yugoslavia after its creation from France.

Yugoslavia with a war at its Northern Boarder I would imagine it’s mostly mobilized. Mussolini ! I would think the chances of him thinking of invading Yugoslavia at this time would be like rather close to zero. Especially with a Britain and France Mobilized and not in a fight. He was an opportunist and cannot see him even contemplating this without finding how those 2 nations would react.

Poland I can understand. Italy Invading Yugoslavia with these current events no.

 

[chris N]

???? how in 1938 ? With the resources he sent to the North and with a Germany looking for Armistice ?. Allot of Italian Equipment showing as lacking

Yugoslavia I believe still had French support and a Guarantee of its Statehood ?. Looking up the treaty details again. Not a defence pact, But a Guarantee for Yugoslavia after its creation from France.

Yugoslavia with a war at its Northern Boarder I would imagine it’s mostly mobilized. Mussolini ! I would think the chances of him thinking of invading Yugoslavia at this time would be like rather close to zero. Especially with a Britain and France Mobilized and not in a fight. He was an opportunist and cannot see him even contemplating this without finding how those 2 nations would react.

Poland I can understand. Italy Invading Yugoslavia with these current events no.

Excellent Point.

 

[chris N]

Mussolini's thinking of starting a war with Yugoslavia was shot down by the Italian Military staff which quickly pointed out that the Italian tankettes and fighters that had been used by the Austrians had proven to be poor performers when used against Germany. Italy need to get the new fighter out to all of its units and to work on a battle tank similar to the one that the Czechoslovakians were working on. Any war with Yugoslavia could result in Italy fighting a war with France. This was not good news especially with the commencement of troops in Spain.

It was recommended that Italy spend the next year building up its military and speed up a new tank design that would be better than the new model that was proposed. El Duce was disappointed but he realized that Italy had gained much in the Balkans as a result of the war. Austria and to a lesser extent Czechoslovakia both were impressed with Italy's support. Romania and Hungary both looked at Italy as a possible supporter against the Soviets or in Hungary's case Yugoslavia. The Hungarians still wanted their lands given to the Yugoslavs back, especially those having ethnic Hungarians living on it.

Yugoslavia was having a loter of problems the current regent was not at all popular with the Slovenians and Croatians. Indeed the volunteers that had founght under Austrian colors brought back strong feeling for the Hapsburg and a desire to perhaps rejoin the Empire. Perhaps this was something that Mussolini could use to his advantage.

The Germans had withdrawn form Czechoslovakia and already those units that were at or near full strength began to move to the Polish border. Twelve divisions remained on the Czech-German border hunkering down for winter.

The Government lead by General Beck was now coping with not only mopping uo=p the remains of the Nazi's but a giant Foreign Policy problem, Poland had occuppied Danzig. There had been blood shed in the occupation, true it had been mainly Nazi Blood but they were German Citizen that had died and it was a violation of the League of Nations .
Germany had forces on the border and more were arriving but a war was not exactly what Beck needed now. True it would unify Germany but the Army needed time and more equipment.

There had also been some border clashes but no war. With each day that past Germany would have more forces to defend the eastern frontier of the Reich.

Prime Minister Chamberlain would be visiting Germany. Great Britain had already cancelled the movement of troops to France and would be recalling the divisions already there. The blockade by the Royal Navy had been lifted. Romania was again selling oil to Germany , which would travel through Hungary in to Austria and then Germany.

 

[chris N]

A German Military court was formed to try the Nazi Leadership. Hitler was convicted of a number of charges including the violation of the rights of German citizens. betrayal of the constitution usurping the powers of the Presidency . and a host of other charges. He was sentenced to hang and on Jamuary 4,1939 he was hung at a military prison. Himmler was found guilty of violation of the rights of German citizens. forging evidence . He was Hung on January 3rd. Rudolph Hess was found guilty of lessor charges and sentenced to 25 years in a maxium security prison. Goebbels was also found guilty of a number of charges and sentence to death. He was Hung on Jauary 4,1939. His wife was found guilty of lessor charges and sentenced to 15 years in prison. Reich Marshal Goring was courtmartialed and stripped of his rank. For being party of the Nazi conspiracy and party to the plot to subvert the constition he was sentenced to death. since he had been a WWI hero he was shot by a firing squad on January 6th 1939.

A natioanl vote was scheduled for the restoration of the Monarchy. The Monarch would replace the post of President.

 

[chris N]

A crisis was now facing Germany, Poland, Britain and France. The Poles had seized Danzig and there had been border clashes. The government of General Beck had so far showed restraint but there was a lot of anger in Germany over Polands actions. To be honest Mr Chamberlain was furious. There he thought he had brought peace in our time and now the Poles seemed hell bent on starting a war.

Frnace was still mobilized but there seemed to be less support in the country to support the aggressive Poles than to fight to protedt the Austrians and the Czechs. The French Premier deceided to try to see if he could work something out.

Meanwhile Mussolini was basking in the glow of success over his foreign policy. It now appeared that the Nationalist would conclude the Civil War in Spain . Italian influence was great but the Germans were still there. Germany's influence in the Balkans had receeded while Italy's was increasing.

However, the war had shown that Italian military equipment needed to ber updated. Also the binary division system appeared to be too weak and the Italian Chief of Staff was recommending a return to the 3 regiment system and newer tanks. The Russian T-25 was better than the Italian tanks.

Gemany was now ging to shift to production of an improved Pz III and Pz Iv as the PzI and II were worthless.

 

[chris N]

Crown Prince Rupphardt of Bavaria was now to be given a post in the new government. Currently General Beck was holding the post of Provisional President, Commander in Chief of the Army and Minister of War and the General wanted to give up some of the post so as to concentrate on the Army. The Bavarian crown Prince was named as the New Minister of War.

New elections were to be called for for the Reichstag. The Nazi and Communist Party were to be prohibited from fielding canidates and their members had been arrested during the coup.

Discussion: Germany is now at a crossroad. Beck wants to do what Hindenburg failed to do restore the Monarchy as a means of preventing another Hitler from seizing power.

Question : Poland has violated the Peace agreement of 1919 by occupying Danzig. It had shed German blood and has violated the German-Polish border. Beck has been showing Great restraint but the possibility of a German-Polish War seems to be growing. Germany has redeployed forces from Czechoslovakia to the German -Polish border. Options:1) the conflict ignited to a full scale war. Britain refuses to become involved. Czechoslovakia and Austria remain neutral. 2) France honors its alliance with Poland and declares war on Germany. 3) France as a result of no support from Britain remains neutral in the war but warns Germany that it will not accept the dismemberment of Poland. 4) War is avoided Feedback or suggestions.

 

[seraphim74]

Poland in fact DID NOT violated German border by occupying Danizg. Danzig was a Free City, not part of Germany.
Now, the Germans are exhausted (esp. psychologically) after the war with Austria and Czechoslovakia. They can fight Poland, but that would be hard, bloody, not to mention Germany is not exactly popular in world's eyes right now. Poland argues that Germany proved to be a danger to world peace, so Poles had to intervene in Danzig to secure their interests there. The obvious proof of German ill will is a battleship sent to Danzig by Hitler. OTOH, whole Europe is tired of war, therefore France and Britain start pressing Poland to back off and return to status quo ante. Poland is not so eager to fight alone, even against seriously weakened Germany, with western allies threatening with embargo.
I think a possible solution might be like that: Danzig remains a Free City, but Poland is allowed to keep a significant garrison there to keep an eye on the Germans. This way both sides are equally unhappy - a perfect compromise.

 

[chris N]

March 1939: Poland under pressure from not only Britain and France but also Romania and Italy agrees to a compromise which will restore Danzig to being a free city but will allow the Poles to maintain a limited garrison in the city.
While Germany is not exactly overwhelmed by the compromise it feels that it can live with it as it has a lot of work to do.

The stress of the war with Austria and Czechoslovakia had done considerable damage to a German military that was not ready for a war. Now the country had not only to repair its military but to complete the denazification of the country. Hitler's and the other Nazi officals bodies were not to be buried on German soil. Hitler, Himmlers Gobbels bodies were cremated and dumped in the frigid artic waters.

The National referendum on the restoration of the Monarchy passed. It was sold to the people by some as a way of insuring that there would never bea future Hitler as the monarch would be able to prevent the Chancellor from assuming too much power.
The election of the new parliament was to follow a week latter. Several of the parties wished that the Bavarian Crown Prince would give up the War Ministry and agree to be their canidate for Chancellor should their alliance win a majority in the next parliament.

With the war in Spain coming to an end the Condor Legion would be returning. However, some of the German officers who had had too close a connection to the Nazi Leadership were planning on asking Franco to be allowed to stay in Spain and work with rebuilding the Spanish Air Force.

Italy now appeared to to opening doors to Germany as it sought an alliance to counter the threat from the East and to neutralizing France.

 

[chris N]

The coronation of the Kaisers grandson as the new Kaiser met with some concern but then there was a reminder that Germany had been ruled by that maniac Adolph Hitler. The former Kaiser and his son the former Crown Prince were both in Berlin for the ceremony . Also present was the King and Queen of England, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, the Queen of the Netherlands, the Austrian Monarch Otto, the King of Sweden, The King of Norway. the King of Denmark, King of the Belgians, King of Romania, King of Greece, King of Italy and nobles from Great Britain, Spain, Hungary,Germany,France. Among the politicians were the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Regent of Hungary, Mussolini ,the French Foreign Minister, US Secretary of State and the Japanese foreign Minister, who was joined at the last moment by the Japanese crown Prince.

 

[chris N]

The Government of General Beck was now considering a proposal to break diplomatic relations with the government of Russia.

 

[chris N]

Well Germany now had a new Kaiser and the parliamentary electionswere to take place in days. It looked like a center -right alliance og the Catholic Center Party combined with the new Christain Democrat and Free Democrats would win a majority of the seats. Prince Ruprecht of Bavaria had agreed to serve as the alliances canidate for Canchellor. General Beck was now the Commander in chief of the Army and holding the post of War Minister too.

The Germans arms industry were now finally producing enough weapons to equip the German Army ( the demobilization of 20 divisions had helped).
Beck had recommended to the Kaiser that a military mission be sent to each of the Baltic states. Germany was supplying this states with some of the surplus military equipment ( WWI era machine guns, older K98 rifles, modern 37mm AT guns{currently the German army was replacing the 37mm gun with the more powerful 50mm gun},81m and 50mm mortars and some older 75mm guns). Germany had even supplied Lithuania with some captured T-26 Russian tanks while Romania had been sold the captured Czech T-35s. The German Military advisory missions were training the Baltic states military to resist the Russians. Germany was giving them their older bi-plane fighters. Needless to say Stalin was not at all pleased.

Germany was secretly carrying out phot recon missions over Russia. The SMS Graf Spee paid a visit to the Estonian capital and the Admiral Hipper paid a visit to the Lithuanian port.

 

[chris N]

Germany: The war of the previous year had resulted in a lot of changes in the German Nation. Gone were the Nazi's and the attacks on the Jews. Germany seemed to have returned to a period of peace prior to World War I.
The were still trials going on in the country regarding those horrible acts that were committed against a variety of people. The new Kaiser was popular with the people, who he seemed to connect with much more than his Grandfather and father. The former Kaiser, whose health seemed to be in declined was cheered up by his grandson assuming the role of Monarch. Kaiser Wilhelm never cared for Hitler, who he felt was a street thug.
Germany had demobilized a lot of its troops at the end of the war but there was a lot of work to be done. The German economy was booming. Spending on the military continued to be high as the 40+ ddivisions of the Army received the needed equipment. The naval building program was altered as the government canceled plans to build a lot of battleships and carriers. The Luftwaffe was now co-operating with the navy and aircraft designs were changing as the believers in a heavy strategic bomber gained sway.

German relations with Great Britain seemed to be improving as were relations with Austria and even Czechoslovakia. There was a fear in the German state regarding the threat from the east. No not the Poles but the Red Monster futher to the east.

 

[Geekhis Khan]

Interesting! How far are you taking this, might I ask?

 

[chris N]

Discussion: Right now I haven't quite figured out how far into the future I want to go. I am thinking of going perhaps into the 1950's and then letting it stand. The next thing that I thing that this story will look at is the reaction from Stalin to the East to the fall of Hitler and the emergence of Germany as a threat

The German military sees Russia as the future threat even more than the Poles. Currently they are trying to shore up the Baltic states by providing them with military equipment and training. Lithuania received some of the captured Russian T-26 tanks, German 37mm ATG, machine guns mortars, artillery and planes. Estonia and Latvia both received ATGs, MGs, Mortars artillery pieces and planes.

Mussolini has what he has desire dominance of the Balkans but the big question is can his military stand up to the Soviets. It has already been seen that the Italian armor is inferior to the Germans and the same story would be true of the Russians. But he is now in this mess and it will be interesting to see if he can come up with a solution.

It is now 1939 and the winds of change are blowing. Chamberlain things that he help avert a larger war and to a limited extent that is true. Germany was not ready and Hitler just would not listen. Still Stalin wants to regain Russia'swindow on the Baltic and he also wants to teach Poland a lesson and regain land lost to Romania after WWI.

In Spain the Civil War has come to an end. The Nationalist have won but the country is a basket case. It will be many years befor Spain can play a role. Franco is seeking aid and Germany has considered setting up a synthetic oil plant in the country. But I am getting ahead of myself.
Any suggestion or comments?

 

[chris N]

Moscow March 1939. Stalin"s mood had been pretty good since the defeat of the German invasion of Czechoslovakia. He was convinced that it was the arms and volunteers that he had sent that had made the difference (forget the fact that Austria was in the war and the French were threatening war). Yes and to top it off that arrogant idot Hitler was now gone and would trouble him no more.

There was a knock on the door and Stalin realized that his moment of basking in the joy was now over. Stalin yelled Come in and stop that knocking. An pfficer dressed as a colonel of the Russian Army entered and Marched up to the dresk and handed over a sealed dispatch. Stalin looked at it and dismissed the officer, who saluted and left. The dispatch was from the army's intelligence branch and he broke it open.
He got down half the page before screaming those Damn Germans

It seemed that the Germans had not learned anything and were supplying
weapons to Russia's Baltic neighbors. Stalin had been planning on applying pressure to them to allow Russian bases to be established. Once that happen he would just tighten the screws and eventually they would become Spviet Republics. Now the Germans had messed up his plans and the gall of it was they had even provided one of the countries with Russian made tanks . Something would need to be done.

Lithuania : Colonel Gerhardt Schorder had been in the country for the past month. He wondered what it would be like in the Spring because right now he wished he was back in Germany instead of teaching these Balts how to be tankers. They had made some good progress and it appeared that they had paid attention. The German made radios appeared to work. He was not impressed with the Russian made tanks but he did note that they appeared to function a lot better than the Pz I and even the II that he had commanded only months ago. The Lithuanians appeared to know how to fight. He had seen the takers take out some targets and even the antitank gunners manning the 37mm German made guns did better than he would have thought. He had just been informed that another 12 of these captured tanks was due to arrive from Germany. That would give him 24 tanks. Hum I wonder if I can get some of those trucks I saw and some infantry. Perhaps I can build this country's first Panzer division.

 

[chris N]

Moscow April 1939 Kremlin

Stalin had assemble members of the military to go over the plans to beging the regaining of lost lands. The Leader of the Soviet Union wnated to begin with the retaking of the lands lost to Romania. The Romanians would not be capable of resisting the military might of Russia. It would mean give us the land we want or we will take it and a lot more besides if we have to use force.

Stalin was assured by his General staff that the Red army was all set to move and would be supported by the Red Air Foce and the Black Seas Fleet.

Meanwhile in the Romanian Capital the Italian Ambassador was assuring the Romanian Monarch that the Italian artillery pieces, fighter planes,AA guns would arrive within 24 hours. Italy had arrange for the Austrian T-35s to be sent to Romania to help strengthen that countries tanks force.
Austria had just signed a deal for the purchase of the new T-38 tanks to be up gunned with 47mm guns.

Warsaw Poland: The Romanian Ambassador had hurried to the Polish Foreign Ministry to request a meeting concerning the Polish-Romanian Defense Pact. It appeared that Russia was already pressuring Romania and they wanted to know -would Poland stand with Romania against the Soviet Union? It was a question that only the President of Poland and the Polish Military could answer. Poland had just received some sample French tanks (France was hoping for a large arms sale as well as the sale of some fighter planes and royalties from liscence production.

Berlin, Germany Kaiser Louis Frederick was woken by an aide it was urgent that he go to his office as Admiral Canarais wanted to brief him on an urgent manner.