AHC: European theatre of World War II is delayed until 1943

During the negotiations for the Pact of Steel between Germany and Italy, Italian Under Secretary for War Carlo Favagrossa determined that Italy would not be ready for a war until 1943, This was due to the fact that the substantially weak Italian industry did not equal more than 15% of that of France or of Britain in militarily critical areas such as automobile production. This was made clear to the German delegation who then signed the Pact.

But as we all know, Hitler invaded Poland in 1939, beginning the European theatre of World War II. Italy would declare war on France and Britain the following year.

But I've found this idea very intriguing s I want you to create a scenario in which the European theatre of World War II is delayed until 1943. Note that I said the European theatre only. This is because I am not sure if a late European war would affect events in the Pacific or not.
 

hipper

Banned
During the negotiations for the Pact of Steel between Germany and Italy, Italian Under Secretary for War Carlo Favagrossa determined that Italy would not be ready for a war until 1943, This was due to the fact that the substantially weak Italian industry did not equal more than 15% of that of France or of Britain in militarily critical areas such as automobile production. This was made clear to the German delegation who then signed the Pact.

But as we all know, Hitler invaded Poland in 1939, beginning the European theatre of World War II. Italy would declare war on France and Britain the following year.

But I've found this idea very intriguing s I want you to create a scenario in which the European theatre of World War II is delayed until 1943. Note that I said the European theatre only. This is because I am not sure if a late European war would affect events in the Pacific or not.


Germany gets relatively weaker and is ground down to dust in a repeat of WW1
 
I still think it’s crazy how quick Germany mobilised from such a low base.

But basically the longer the UK (and Commonwealth/Empire) and France (plus Empire) have to mobilise, the more the board tilts in their favour.
 
Göring gets to explain to a furious Führer what happened to the money needed for further industrial expansion after 39.

Hjalmar Schacht gets the last laugh.
 

iddt3

Donor
Germany gets relatively weaker and is ground down to dust in a repeat of WW1
Yup. Hitler was redlining the German economy as it was. The loot from Chechloslovakia, Poland, and France each we're vital to keep things going. If war doesn't start within a few mommon of when it did in 1939, the economy either seizes up entirely, or military industries get massively scaled back. Either option gives the Allies a chance to catch up and finish their rearmerment, and could see Hitler starting to face serious internal opposition.
 
Does Hitler still do Barbarossa?

Hitlers original ideas, such as they were, was the defeat of the USSR and German control of the Baltics, Beyloruss, Ukraine, would occur 1940-42. A final climatic war between France and Germany would occur from 1942 or later. He thought it best and most likely that a agreement between Britain and German be reach. Tho long range preparation, like the naval Z Plan were to ensure Germany could compete militarily with Britain.

As I understand Hitler & many other top nazi leaders were caught by surprise when France and Britain risked war to support Poland and despite clear warnings were surprised when those two actually declared war. They don't seem to have fully grasped the change in politician and voter attitudes after the occupation of Prague & dissolution of the Cezch Army and government.
 
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