I've read all the posts since my previous entry and I'm very grateful for all the input and insights, so many great additions that I can't follow my past practice of replying to each individually, but many thanks to all. You've taught me a lot on the subject.
I'd known that Poland, and I believe Hungry as well, joined Germany in feeding on the their neighbor's carcass, but I hadn't previously understood the circumstances. According to something I read by David Irving Poland practically started the war with Germany by trying to claim Slovenia during the late Spring of '39. Actually, it may have been wise of Germany to cede the territory as it would have legitimized it's own earlier actions as well as extending the Polish buffer zone between itself and the USSR. But then one of the things Hitler wanted was his own border with the Soviets, which naturally was achieved in the pact with Stalin; except of course it started the war with Britain and the UK that he wanted to avoid. The crux of the problem is his failure to realize the western powers were not going to give him the quick decisive central or eastern European war he wanted. He seems to have been the only leader of a major power that failed to grasp this.
Assuming he somehow came to realize that vital fact, I think Germany's best course would have been continued peaceful relations with Poland -- with or without ceding Slovenia, or having Danzig ceded to themselves -- and postpones further aggressions for several years while consolidating two entire countries he'd added to the Reich from the Anschluss to the end of gorging on Czechoslovakia, much like a constrictor snake digesting a large meal.
That time would have ideally spent in adding to Germany's industry, scientific and military research without further actual expansion of it's armed forces. I think Britain and France would have quickly lost all sense of urgency along the way leaving Germany free to develop jet and rocket technology, along with that of other army and naval weaponry so that, by 1941 or 42, after two to three years of peaceful development the country would have been able to upgrade to the new weapons standards. Beyond a doubt France, and especially Britain would have been increasing their own preparedness incorporating more modern technology but they wouldn't be able to do so with a single-mindedness matching Germany's. I can't help but feel that by 1943 the Luftwaffe would have contained several jet fighter units along with replacements for the obsolescent Stuka, better tanks and in much greater numbers, along with V1 and V2 rockets (possibly for use against the Maginot Line), improved U-boats and probably a few Z-class capital ships.
The natural result, to me at least, would have been a much stronger Germany at the start of a later war, and a larger quality difference between the German military compared with those of Britain and France than had been the case in Sept 1939.
I totally agree with everything Cook said in the post pasted by Thon Taddeo. Diplomatically Ribbentrop was ridiculous -- with mistakes like his Nazi salute in London! Apparently he was a much more fanatical Nazi than the much more capable Constantine Neurath.
Then again, how much better than the historical record could any of Hitler's decisions have been considering the toddies he'd placed in so many key positions? And of course the same holds true of Mussolini, only more-so.
Many thanks to all, looking forward to reading much more.