An ALT World War II TL , Need Feedback

Hello everyone, this is my first attempt at writing a timeline.

Premise: The overall premise of the TL is that the UK signs a ceasefire with Nazi Germany in 1940. However, this ceasefire will eventual breakdown and the UK will reenter the war at a later date. This ceasefire naturally causes huge butterflies in the conduct of war not only in Europe but also in the Pacific. The following is the first installment of an outline for the TL. Any sort of feedback or detail would be greatly appreciated.

Outline for the Timeline:

POD: The Norwegian Campaign goes slightly better for the Allies. British naval losses are not a severe including the HMS Glorious which survives. On land allied forces also fair better against the Germans. The fact that the campaign went better for the Allies keeps Chamberlain from resigning as he did in OTL on 10 May 1940.

10 May 1940: The Battle for France begins. It is just as much of a German success as in OTL.

27 May 1940: PM Chamberlain obtains a cease-fire with Nazi Germany in an effort to save the BEF which looks to be on the verge of annihilation. Chamberlain views this as the only way to save the lives of British troops in a war that seems to be lost.

The stipulations of the ceasefire are as follows

1. An immediate cessation of hostilities between the armed forces of Great Britain and the German Reich.
2. The BEF with its equipment is to be withdrawn from the continent no later than July 1, 1940.
3. POW’s are to be exchanged.
4. The cease fire will continue until a formal peace treaty is signed.

Hitler doesn’t press for a more detailed agreement thinking that they will be hammered out in the subsequent peace treaty.
Needless to say British emotions about the ceasefire are mixed. Some side with Chamberlain in thinking that the ceasefire was the only practical way to save the BEF, and that France was undoubtedly going to lose. Others however, such as Churchill who was strongly against the ceasefire in the first place, view the ceasefire as merely a temporary pause in a war that will inevitable start up again.

5 June 1940: In the wake of the British defeat Chamberlain resigns as PM due to his handling of the war and that practically no one in the UK wants him to be at a negotiating table at any possible peace conference. Churchill becomes the new Prime Minister as it is hoped he will be able to get the best possible deal for Britain.

7 June 1940: France, on the heels of what they feel to be a betrayal by their British allies, signs an armistice with Nazi Germany. This armistice is very similar to OTL but is slightly more lenient. Because of the ceasefire with the UK, Germany does not occupy as much territory in Northern France. The Germans do occupy the ports but keep only a small garrison in Paris. Petain forms a new government known as the French State (as opposed to the free French Republic forces under de Gaulle) in Paris.

Churchill is devastated by the news of the French capitulation. In light of this development Churchill realizes that any hope that Britain might quickly reenter the war is squashed. Churchill however, has his own plans. Whether the British people realize it or not, he knows that there can be no lasting peace with the likes of Hitler. Churchill might not be able to break the ceasefire but he has no intention of singing a formal peace treaty with Germany. As the remnants of the BEF return to Britain, Churchill begins to formulate his own plans for when the war resumes. Hitler, however, has already begun to turn his eyes to the east....

Need Feedback:
One question I do have is does Chamberlain have the authority to accept a cease-fire?
 

Cook

Banned
It would be a decision for the War Cabinet.

John Lukac's "Five days in London: May 1940" covers the decision making of the war cabinet at the time of the end of Chamberlain's Prime Ministership.
It gives you a very good feel of the thoughts and moods of the Cabinet, Parliment and general public of the time.
 
I don't think Chamberlain could have held on unless the Allies actually won in Norway, there was massive pressure on him to form a coalition government and/or step down. Also if Britain made peace with Germany it's likely Churchill would have resigned.
 
I don't think Chamberlain could have held on unless the Allies actually won in Norway, there was massive pressure on him to form a coalition government and/or step down.
Also if Britain made peace with Germany it's likely Churchill would have resigned.


Interesting,

I might make Norway campaign go even better for the Allies. Churchill might have resigned, but in this TL Churchill thinks that he can best serve his country by preparing it for round two when hostilities resume.
 
Possibly, but in this TL Churchill thinks that he can best serve his country by preparing it for round two when hostilities resume.

Then you'll need to change Chruchills psychology completely. You're better to use Lord Halifax or Eden, who hated the Nazis but wanted to wait until they were on a better war footing.
 
Apart from the Churchill bit, it seems reasonable. Germany had no real desire to be locked in a prolonged struggle with Britain, whom they considered to be Aryans too. But Churchill was a stubborn man, and it could come down to who does he not like more; The Reich or the Soviets.
 
Apart from the Churchill bit, it seems reasonable. Germany had no real desire to be locked in a prolonged struggle with Britain, whom they considered to be Aryans too. But Churchill was a stubborn man, and it could come down to who does he not like more; The Reich or the Soviets.

Glad you think it’s reasonable. As far as a choice between the Reich or the Soviets, the next installment will deal with the lead up to the Nazi-Soviet War.
 
The Peace

8 June 1940 – 1 March 1941

Italy, and the Rest of the Axis:

With Germany in Europe now appearing supreme Hungry, Romania, Slovakia, and Bulgaria all in turn join the Axis. Although Italy was on the verge of siding with Germany against the Allies the war ended before Mussolini could declare war. Mussolini felt cheated out of the spoils of victory by not having joined in the fighting. Mussolini continues to build up the Italian military and enviously eyes prospective conquests in the Mediterranean.

The New European Order:

Germany now found itself master of much of Europe. Germany as in OTL installs puppet governments in the occupied nations. Due to the ceasefire Germany does not heavily fortify the Atlantic cost and only keeps a few divisions in France and the Low Countries. Germany relaxes its war time industries a bit so as not to upset the German people who want their consumer goods.

Churchill’s Britain:

With the nation temporarily at peace, Churchill begins to prepare the UK for when the war resumes. Churchill continues to install radar and air defense sites throughout England. Also naval construction started during the war will be completed. The British Army is partly demobilized, but Churchill keeps its strength up and continues to train its reserves. Churchill also uses this time to redeploy troops and ships to the pacific to bolster the garrisons in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Much to the consternation of Hitler, Churchill refuses to participate in a peace conference. Churchill delays by demanding certain preconditions that the he known’s the Germans will not accept such as the evacuation of the Low Countries, Norway, Denmark and Poland. Churchill also refuses to recognize Petain’s French State and continues to harbor many of the “legitimate” European governments in Britain. Naturally the Germans are disappointed that the UK continues to deny German hegemony in Europe but Hitler is not particular troubled. The Germans are now free to turn the attention elsewhere and realize (correctly) the UK will eventually become tired of Churchill keeping the UK on a partial war footing and oust him from office.

Nazi-Soviet Relations:

With the conclusion of peace in the West relations between the Soviet Union and the German Reich began to falter. Stalin had thought that Germany would be distracted for at least a few years fighting the Allies. Now, however, Stalin has no illusions that Germany wont eventual turn against the Soviet Union. Stalin begins to fortify the Molotov Line in earnest and even keeps the Stalin Line as a reserve. Despite the prodding’s of certain Nazi and Soviet diplomats who think that the USSR should be wooed to become a member of the Axis, Hitler refuses and begins to tell his Generals to prepare for an invasion of the Soviet Union as soon as possible. Hitler believes that the last campaign is all that stands between him and complete control of the continent.

Need Feedback:

1. What would happen to Greece and Yugoslavia in this scenario? I think Italy would invade, but would Germany back up Italy?

2. How soon can Germany attack the Soviet Union in 1941 and what would their strength be? Who would lead it and what would it look like if the UK is out of the picture?
 
Then you'll need to change Chruchills psychology completely. You're better to use Lord Halifax or Eden, who hated the Nazis but wanted to wait until they were on a better war footing.

MacGregor

Would agree with that. Not sure if Eden's got the seniority at the time to be a suitable candidate but if you go with Halifax it might get too close to Fletcher's TL.

In two minds about a better performance in Norway than you have already. Would increase the feeling that Britain hasn't actually been defeated and hence more willing to look to resume the struggle. [Not too great a problem here as many will be resentful of the defeat and also be aware that a continent dominated by Germany will be too dangerous]. On the other hand being too successful might make them want to fight on immediately.

Chamberlain will lose the position as PM shortly whatever happens. Apart from any problems with the peace he is dying of cancer. He only lived until Nov 1940. Might be best to have him make a full peace with Germany so he takes the blame and then clears the way for the successor to have a clear path on what he wants.

If there is a formal peace, which may be the best thing for Britain you will also have a peace with France. Details will depend on what you feel approproate. Could be relatively moderate if Hitler wants to concentrate on the SU quickly, say arms limitations, return of A-L and occupation of some areas, or fairly dracronian.

Whoever you have as PM and what the peace terms with Germany are will determine a lot of what happens later on. Suspect that with Hitler's concerns for the east he isn't greatly worried about regaining the African colonies. Also probably willing to agree on fairly moderate terms with Britain as he wants an end to conflict in the west, at least until he gets his quick victory over the Russians.

Steve
 
Question 2 really depends on Question 1. Mussolini is bombastic enough to launch an invasion of Greece, which will likely divert German forces to aid him. However, if the British are not there, then the conquest of Greece would be a bit quicker. As for Yugoslavia, they did sign an agreement with the Axis, but a coup shortly after removed the King and his replacement welched on the deal, causing Germany to invade. Again, the issues here would partly depend on what Italy does. If the Italians show a little impulse control, then Barbarosa might get going in May or April or whenever it was originally intended before the detour though Yugoslavia and Greece occured.
 
Anybody have any comments about the second installment? Is that a TL that is worth continuing?


Don't give up early; run with it and find out where it goes. When creating An Alternate History of the Netherlands, I found history going into places I didn't anticipate.
 
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