Hello this is my first thread. I recently discovered this site now my favorite. I'm fascinated by AH especially ww2 and the ancient Greaco/Roman world. So here goes.
What if in 1940/41 the Germans and Japanese decided to co-ordinate an invasion of the Soviet Union. Now with the Germans lets say everything goes the same way as iotl. Barbarossa June 22 1941 same order of battle.
On the Japanese side Hitler secretly informs them of his plan to invade the Soviet Union as soon as he decides to start preparing. Whenever that was I'm not exactly sure on the date So I'm going to say late 1940 early 1941. The Japanese decide it is in their best interest to cooperate with their allies and deal with the "larger threat" to their plans. With the possibility of an embargo from the US the JIN argues in favour of attacking the US and simultaneously seizing Dutch east Indies etc...just like iotl. The army wins the argument in favour of invading the Soviet Union. Stating that entering into a war with the US would be nothing short of suicide, given the obvious industrial capacity. Hitler sends consultants to discuss blitzkreig tactics with Japanese military planners. Preparations are begun in early 1941 with an invasion date set for late summer early fall. Every available unit is moved to Manchuria, the JIN prepares and plans for the assault on Vladivostok the destruction of the Soviet Union's pacific fleet and the coastal support for the army. The plans are to advance as far as lake Baikal to the west, the trans siberian railway to the north and along the coast to the east cutting off Vladivostok. Basically Japan throws everything it can at the Soviet Union.
Other factors:
1. The Japanese are still in China but have stopped advancing in early 1941 (for the time being) and have fortified their positions.
2. Japanese tanks are no match for Soviet tanks.
3. In this scenario Japanese have or quickly gain air superiority.
4. Japanese are not discouraged by their own previous defeats, at the hands of the Soviets in 1938 and 1939, after seeing German success in France and the low countries in 1940.
What are the implications of this scenario?
Does Stalin move his Siberian reserves west?
If the Japanese advance is stalled or stopped by the Soviets is that enough to tie up Reserves bound for Moscow?
Do the Germans succeed with operation Typhoon?
Are the Japanese able to implement blitzkreig tactics? If so how well to what degree?
Do the Japanese succeed in their invasion?
Thoughts?
What if in 1940/41 the Germans and Japanese decided to co-ordinate an invasion of the Soviet Union. Now with the Germans lets say everything goes the same way as iotl. Barbarossa June 22 1941 same order of battle.
On the Japanese side Hitler secretly informs them of his plan to invade the Soviet Union as soon as he decides to start preparing. Whenever that was I'm not exactly sure on the date So I'm going to say late 1940 early 1941. The Japanese decide it is in their best interest to cooperate with their allies and deal with the "larger threat" to their plans. With the possibility of an embargo from the US the JIN argues in favour of attacking the US and simultaneously seizing Dutch east Indies etc...just like iotl. The army wins the argument in favour of invading the Soviet Union. Stating that entering into a war with the US would be nothing short of suicide, given the obvious industrial capacity. Hitler sends consultants to discuss blitzkreig tactics with Japanese military planners. Preparations are begun in early 1941 with an invasion date set for late summer early fall. Every available unit is moved to Manchuria, the JIN prepares and plans for the assault on Vladivostok the destruction of the Soviet Union's pacific fleet and the coastal support for the army. The plans are to advance as far as lake Baikal to the west, the trans siberian railway to the north and along the coast to the east cutting off Vladivostok. Basically Japan throws everything it can at the Soviet Union.
Other factors:
1. The Japanese are still in China but have stopped advancing in early 1941 (for the time being) and have fortified their positions.
2. Japanese tanks are no match for Soviet tanks.
3. In this scenario Japanese have or quickly gain air superiority.
4. Japanese are not discouraged by their own previous defeats, at the hands of the Soviets in 1938 and 1939, after seeing German success in France and the low countries in 1940.
What are the implications of this scenario?
Does Stalin move his Siberian reserves west?
If the Japanese advance is stalled or stopped by the Soviets is that enough to tie up Reserves bound for Moscow?
Do the Germans succeed with operation Typhoon?
Are the Japanese able to implement blitzkreig tactics? If so how well to what degree?
Do the Japanese succeed in their invasion?
Thoughts?