I've heard that, when Germany invaded Poland in 1939, the Soviets were itching to retake the parts of eastern Poland that they had previously lost, but due to the fact that the Nazis seriously hated communism and communists, were in no real hurry to help them out. So, I was wondering what it might have looked like if the Soviets had put that aside and invaded Eastern Poland. Any thoughts?
DBWI: Soviets join in the invasion of Poland?
It might have resulted in the western allies going to war with both Germany and the USSR.
Sounds a bit ASB to me. After all Stalin must have read Mein Kampf and Hitler stated in there he wanted to grab land from Russia.
Forcing a communist government on Poland, I could understand, or maybe carving off buffer states, but outright territorial annexation? Especially when it would give them a border with Germany.
Stalin with better army reforms could've worried Hitler into making a alliance or keep the peace to buy time. Also that territory could've slowed the Wermacht to the point Moscow doesn't fall
Who knows tbh... Maybe the ussr would still be around to this day. Had they invaded poland they couldve had the ability to disrupt nazi invasion preperations by giving arms to polish irruegulars which probably wouldve gave them an advantage when barbarossa occured.
Instead, they ignored the early warning and sat aside and got crushed. The fact that they managed liberate their territory is nothing short of a mirracle. Imagine how many more men and women been thrown into the meat grinder had stalin insisted on conquering eastern europe and the molotov regime not declared a ceasefire in 1946
Instead, they ignored the early warning and sat aside and got crushed. The fact that they managed liberate their territory is nothing short of a mirracle. Imagine how many more men and women been thrown into the meat grinder had stalin insisted on conquering eastern europe and the molotov regime not declared a ceasefire in 1946
Doubt it. The USSR had tons of oil and had a HUGE army which could had threatened the allies in the Middle east hence causing ANOTHER front which would cause even more trouble for them. In my opinion, if the USSR had joined, then could had taken the early warning and had shot first.
Cryhavoc101
Donor
Blimey - had Germany and the USSR invaded on the same day then I can see Britain and France having a real problem
On the one hand they had promised Polish sovereignty - but I think that this was in the understanding that it would be Germany alone invading
Both Germany and Russia invading together! Britain and France are not about to declare war on Germany and Russia on the same day - so I think that they would impose sanctions etc but not declare war - not when Russia could threaten the Middle east and India
The Governments in both Paris and London would no doubt take a hit - I can see Chamberlain having to step down before he became ill as a result of not preventing Germany from overrunning Poland.
Mind you not being at war in 1939 has certain advantages for the British and French Empires as their armed forces were no where near ready for war - a war starting in late 40 or preferably in 41 (it would start at some point) when both nations Air Forces and Navies started to peak and the army's had finished their rearmament.
Also no interdiction of their merchant fleets - granted there would not be enough escorts in 1941 but in 1939 the situation was far far worse
Also Italy might not like Russia and Germany getting cosy what with their aims in the Balkans etc and might stay out of the Axis camp altogether - They were not very happy when Austria became part of Germany the previous year!
No warfare in North Africa and the Med opens up all sorts of possibilities.