Reich Turbulent (formerly named Der Rote Kampfflieger) - An Axis Victory TL

[BlackDragon98]

Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen

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"War is not as the people at home imagine it, with a hurrah and a roar; it is very serious, very grim."

"Where der Kaiser failed, Der Führer succeeded. Where our brothers fell in battle, our sons rose in triumph."

"Every pilot must be trained to the same standards as his wingman, otherwise he is a danger to himself and his fellows."

"Our female pilots in Kampfstaffel Reitsch have demonstrated that women can fly as well as any man, Mein Führer."

"We must disperse our factories, or else I cannot promise that Deutschland is safe from enemy bombers."

"A simple variable-time fuse can make one flak shell inflict the damage of ten."

Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen, 1st Luftmarschall of the Luftwaffe, quotes from Unser Sieg

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Note: This is an Axis victory TL. Just saying.

Another Note: The format of this TL is a short 3rd person view of the event and then the short/mid term TL events that are affected by the change. There is some dialogue as I believe its important to see history from a personal view, rather than just statistics and analysis.

FULL CREDITS to CrimsonKing for the style of this post. I am just using the style because I like it and think its cool. This TL is TOTALLY different than his. Just thought I'd give him the rightful credit for developing this introduction style.

Comments, suggestions and questions are encouraged and welcome.

 

[BlackDragon98]

Wervik, Flanders
06/07/1917

It was another gottverdammt Vickers. The German pilot struggled to evade the observer's .303 Lewis gun as he dived down towards the F.E.2d fighter. Banking sharply to the left, he managed to avoid the deadly rounds as he returned fire with his twin 7.92mm Spandau MGs. The German watched as the rear gunner slumped and the enemy pilot desperately put his damaged fighter into a shallow dive, trying to escape his relentless foe. Suddenly, the German pilot felt a sharp pain in left arm. Ignoring the pain, he quickly put his Albatros into a dive which was followed by a sharp right turn. The second F.E.2d overflew the Albatros and the rear gunner began firing, though the Fokker managed to avoid the lethal hail by swerving sharply to the right.

The German glanced at his fuel gauge. Just enough benzin left to bring down this Engländer and make it home. He turned his Albatros around, opened up his throttle, and chased after the two British fighters, intent on their destruction. Putting his Albatros into a shallow dive to gain speed, he quickly shifted into in a climb as he closed in unseen on the two Engländers from below. His first burst of fire shredded the first F.E.2d's right wing, putting it into a spin and sending it crashing to the ground. The second plane fled towards the southwest as the observer kept up defensive fire, though it was completely unnecessary. The Albatros had already turned towards the northeast, as headed back to its aerodrome. Manfred knew he had been wounded and decided to break off the attack.

The ground crew was already waiting as the red Albatros D.V landed on the grassy airfield. The pilot clambered out of his fighter and greeted the eager ground crew. Frederick, the chief mechanic, was the first one to inquire about the sortie.
"Any kills, Manfred?"
"Just one Frederick, an F.E.2d. Second one fled into the clouds. And can you call the doctor over, I think the Engländer grazed my left arm."

*********************************************

Manfred von Richthofen survived that fateful day with a mere graze on his left arm. He was kept on the ground during the next few days as his arm healed. During this time he contemplated an idea that had been swirling around his head for several weeks. It was a strategy; one that would define the face of air warfare for the next century. Manfred committed his ideas to paper as soon as possible, not knowing which flight would be his last.

The Red Baron's inital strategy of air combat was as follows:

1. Air superiority is the essential prerequisite to any large scale operation. This must be established promptly by fighter aircraft or one must expect heavy losses due to enemy air attacks.

2. Once air superiority is established, bombers can move in to destroy enemy forces. Their first objective must be the destruction of the enemy airfields unless friendly ground units are in a position to secure the airfield. This denies the enemy aerial support and allows friendly ground forces to operate unhindered.

3. The third stage is the use of fighters and bombers to attack enemy supply lines. This prevents them from receiving reinforcements and hurts enemy morale.

4. The final stage involves the use of fighters and bombers to destroy enemy ground and naval forces. Areas defended by AA guns are to be avoided in order to prevent heavy aircraft and aircrew losses.

Unfortunately for Imperial Germany, Manfred did not inform the Großer Generalstab of these innovative ideas as aerial combat over Flanders grew more intense by the day. (1) Managing Jagdgeschwader 1 took all of his time and effort while he was on the ground. (2) Losses continued to mount on both sides and replacements were urgently requested. The life expectancy of new pilots dropped sharply as the quality of their training decreased. This left an unforgettable mark on the Red Baron as he watched young German men who hardly knew how to fly being shot down by more experienced and better trained opponents, all the while powerless to do anything.

Down below, the war in the trenches continued unabated...

As usual comments, suggestions and questions are encouraged and welcome!

Notes:
1. Großer Generalstab is German for Great General Staff, which was its official designation
2. Jagdgeschwader is German for fighter wing.

 

[Sol Zagato]

Good foreshadowing, but we're not even past WWI yet.

 

[BlackDragon98]

Good foreshadowing, but we're not even past WWI yet.

OTL, the Red Baron was known for his tactical skill.
This was man who knew how to command, fight, and retreat when necessary.
ITTL's POD is the severe head injury he received in combat. Many historians say that it caused his eventual death in April 1918.
But yeah, the butterflies will soon hatch from their cocoons and fill the air with their beauty.

 

[Dolan]

so basically a much more competent, non-fatass version of Goring?

Subbed!

 

[Kloka]

How complete of an Axis victory will it be - Fatherland style or MitHC style?

 

[Lalli]

1. Surely von Richthofen would be more capable luftmarschall than Göring but would it still help Axis win the war?
2. Would von Richthofen accept Nazism or work to them? Hard to say if then there is not some more moderate ideology or you don't let radicalise von Richthofen enough.
3. Female pilots? Either there is someone else führer than Hitler or von Richthofen is really good persuade people even Hitler who in OTL didn't accept women work even in factories. OTL Hitler was really chauvinist even with standards of 1930's. For him women's only purpose was producing of more Aryan children.

 

[Sol Zagato]

ITTL's POD is the severe head injury he received in combat. Many historians say that it caused his eventual death in April 1918.

I figured it was the (spent) 50 cal he took to the forehead that just got avoided.

 

[Changundramon]

As for female pilots, USSR had them. Get the left wing of NSDAP into power, in order to maximize manpower (socialists get "guided" to the "right path" instead of tossed into concentration camps. Women work in the industry and serve wherever lifting heavy loads isn't important. Homosexuals are free to serve in the military as well).

 

[Lautréamont]

As for female pilots, USSR had them. Get the left wing of NSDAP into power, in order to maximize manpower (socialists get "guided" to the "right path" instead of tossed into concentration camps. Women work in the industry and serve wherever lifting heavy loads isn't important. Homosexuals are free to serve in the military as well).

That would be a liberal wing, not a leftist one, and I don't think the NSDAP had a liberal wing. I mean, Strasser wasn't exactly a liberal.

 

[Changundramon]

That would be a liberal wing, not a leftist one, and I don't think the NSDAP had a liberal wing. I mean, Strasser wasn't exactly a liberal.

No, but he was sort of going for a people's revolution, if I understand his views right? Just with more nationalism than Marxists would like. A people's army created in these circumstances should logically, involve women. Homosexuals could get a free pass on the urging of Röhm.

 

[miketr]

You want a major POD have von Richthofen not just live but go into the Reichswehr. Climb the ranks ad have staff training. That was the BIG weakness of the Luftwaffe too many of the most senior slots were filled with people that were junior officers with no staff and or mid grade experience later made Generals. It is why Weavers loss was so devastating because he was staff trained.

Michael

 

[Garrison]

1. Surely von Richthofen would be more capable luftmarschall than Göring but would it still help Axis win the war?
2. Would von Richthofen accept Nazism or work to them? Hard to say if then there is not some more moderate ideology or you don't let radicalise von Richthofen enough.
3. Female pilots? Either there is someone else führer than Hitler or von Richthofen is really good persuade people even Hitler who in OTL didn't accept women work even in factories. OTL Hitler was really chauvinist even with standards of 1930's. For him women's only purpose was producing of more Aryan children.

Number three there is wrong I'm afraid Germany did mobilize a lot of women to work in factories but a great many more were tied down working on the small farms that dominated so much of German agriculture after the men either volunteered or were drafted into the military. The idea that the Nazi's didn't want women working is another of those myths that grew up after the war, much like the myth that all the Luftwaffe's troubles could be blamed on Goering and getting rid of him is some sort of panacea for all its problems. The idea that Richtofen, who bear in mind had no more experience of running an airforce than Goering did, will be able to address all the issues of procurement, resource allocation, tactics, strategy, and political interference experienced by the Luftwaffe is pure fantasy. I mean if you looked at Goering's WWI record and his life up to 1918 would you really be able to conclude that was going to a terrible leader of the Luftwaffe? I suspect Richtofen is going to be used as vehicle for the application of 20-20 hindsight, with no doubt the British etal just sitting on their hands and doing nothing as he miraculously transforms the Luftwaffe into a war winning wonder weapon.

 

[Sol Zagato]

You want a major POD have von Richthofen not just live but go into the Reichswehr. Climb the ranks ad have staff training. That was the BIG weakness of the Luftwaffe too many of the most senior slots were filled with people that were junior officers with no staff and or mid grade experience later made Generals. It is why Weavers loss was so devastating because he was staff trained.

Maybe what he needs is a wound that keeps the red baron out of the air for the rest of the war but still bookwork-capable.

Hence promotion to the staff.

 

[miketr]

Maybe what he needs is a wound that keeps the red baron out of the air for the rest of the war but still bookwork-capable.

Hence promotion to the staff.

THIS would work.

Richthofen as a captain is the correct rank to be assigned to General Staff training and attend the War Academy. He could complete training under Truppenamt tutors as one of the 4,000 officers of the Reichswehr.

Michael

 

[BlackDragon98]

How complete of an Axis victory will it be - Fatherland style or MitHC style?

I wish i could say, but...
Can't spoil it!

 

[BlackDragon98]

1. Surely von Richthofen would be more capable luftmarschall than Göring but would it still help Axis win the war?
2. Would von Richthofen accept Nazism or work to them? Hard to say if then there is not some more moderate ideology or you don't let radicalise von Richthofen enough.
3. Female pilots? Either there is someone else führer than Hitler or von Richthofen is really good persuade people even Hitler who in OTL didn't accept women work even in factories. OTL Hitler was really chauvinist even with standards of 1930's. For him women's only purpose was producing of more Aryan children.

1. He actually ran Jagdgeschwader 1 well. Under Goering, losses mounted.
2. Wolfram von Richthofen. His cousin, who was OTL one of Hitler's favourite Luftwaffe generals. And while Wolfram was in charge of Luftwaffe development in the 1930s, he supported all the right projects. The guy went and got a university degree on that stuff.
3. Home defense only.

 

[gallen95]

THIS would work.

Richthofen as a captain is the correct rank to be assigned to General Staff training and attend the War Academy. He could complete training under Truppenamt tutors as one of the 4,000 officers of the Reichswehr.

Michael

Think to remember is that the Treaty of Versailles forbids a Luftwaffe and von Richthofen would revert to his Cavalry specialty and would probably be working with Guderian (which is not bad).

 

[BlackDragon98]

Think to remember is that the Treaty of Versailles forbids a Luftwaffe and von Richthofen would revert to his Cavalry specialty and would probably be working with Guderian (which is not bad).

Who said he going to join the Reichswehr?

 

[BlackDragon98]

A military hospital in Flanders, Belgium
01/05/1918

The hospital exploded into cheers as Manfred von Richthofen and his brother Lothar entered the busy ward. Nurses and doctors weaved left and right as wounded soldiers cheered on the two air aces. It would be Manfred's birthday tomorrow and Lothar had insisted that he would commission Manfred a painting to celebrate this occasion. Manfred had insisted that they visit the hospital first, as the propaganda unit had suggested a week ago. They reached a deal where they would both visit the hospital, and Lothar would look for a painter while they were there.
"Excuse me Feldwebel, do you know anyone who is good at painting here?"(1)
"That would be Gefreiter Adolf Hitler, Freiherr von Richthofen. He was just dropping off a wounded comrade." (2)
"Do you have any idea where he went?"
"I saw him leave through that door to the left over there a few minutes ago."
"Vielen danke, Feldwebel. Hope you get better soon." (3)
The Feldwebel nodded his thanks as Lothar hurried outside to find this Gefreiter Hitler.

Manfred was talking to some recovering troops as Lothar walked in with a Bavarian Gefreiter who wore a short mustache.
"Freiherr von Richthofen?"
"Yes, that me. And you are?"
"Gefreiter Adolf Hitler. I was told your brother that you would like to have a painting commissioned." Hitler saluted the Red Baron.
"Ah yes. I would like a oil painting of my Fokker Dr. I."
"What?!? You want a painting of your plane of all things?" Lothar was astounded by his brother's choice of subject.
"Lothar, I know what I want. I trust Gefreiter Hitler here will do a wonderful job."
"Of course Freiherr. I shall not disappoint you. Now, if you will excuse me, I must go and retrieve my paints and brushes."

Some hours later, in an open field where Jagdgeschwader 1 is based...

Hitler was just adding the finishing touches to the commission when the 2 brothers walked over to see how the painting was coming along.
"What do think, Freiherr? Does this painting match your demands?"
"It most definitely does. Which art school were you educated at, Herr Hitler?"
"None. I am a self taught artist, Freiherr."
"A prodigy then. This is wonderfully accurate portrait of my Fokker." Manfred reached into his pocket and took out a total of ℳ 600 which Lothar had given him 30 minutes ago.
"Freiherr, you misunderstand. This painting is a gift. Freiherr Lothar told me that tomorrow is your Geburtstag." (4)
"No, I insist. Good artists must be compensated for their pieces."
"Then I humbly thank you, Freiherr. Let us hope that we both survive this war."
"Amen to that Gefreiter. May our paths cross again."

A replica Fokker Dr. I, one of which was always flown on Luftwaffetag to celebrate the founding of the Luftwaffe and its roots in the Luftstreitkräfte. (5)
They were always painted bright red, which amused the Red Baron as his own plane was never this brilliant shade of scarlet.
**********************************************************************

The painting titled "Fokker Dr. I" by Adolf Hitler is currently held by the von Richthofen family in their Kleinburg estate located near Breslau. It is one of their most treasured pieces, as it was painted by the 1st Führer of Großdeutschland.
The meeting between the 2 now famous men would have a great effect on history. Manfred's payment for his commissioned painting was the most money Hitler had ever received for a single piece of art he produced. Consequentially, he held a high opinion of the Red Baron from that point onwards. This extended to politics, as Hitler never interfered with Luftwaffe operations and von Richthofen was one of the few people in the Reich who was always and completely truthful with him. Manfred's opinion of Hitler was also high, especially after the ascendance of the Nazi Party in 1933. He saw Hitler was as a visionary who brought Deutschland out of poverty and chaos after its terrible defeat in World War I. Many military officers and Nazi officials who wanted to pass on important ideas to Hitler often went to Manfred, as they knew he was one of the few people who Hitler held in high esteem and trusted completely. This became especially true after accidental demise of Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler in February 1936, the Unmasking of the Traitors in March 1938, and the death Rudolf Hess in the Elser plot of November 1939.

Notes
1. Feldwebel is German for Sergeant.
2. Gefreiter is German for Lance-corporal/Private 1st Class. Freiherr is German for Baron
3. Vielen danke is German for thank you very much.
4. Geburtstag is German for birthday.
5. Luftwaffetag is German for Luftwaffe day. I invented this term.

As usual comments, suggestions and questions are encouraged and welcome!
There have been some minor edits (word choice, grammar, and spelling) to my previous posts which removed some of its clunkyness.
Nothing important has been changed.

Until next time y'all!
-Black Dragon