Reich Turbulent (formerly named Der Rote Kampfflieger) - An Axis Victory TL
- Thread starter BlackDragon98
- Start date
Well, I’m gonna watch this one. Seeing as Himmler died, does it mean a more efficient SS/Abwehr under Heydrich ? Maybe figuring out the breaking of the ENIGMA earlier ?
BlackDragon98
Banned
One thing to remember.
Abwehr and SS were completely different.
The SS were the Nazi fanatics that fought till the very last moments of the Reich existence.
The Abwehr on the other hand were lead by people who tried to kill Hitler.
Except there was a lot of assimilated Poles in Germany, yes Germans failed to assimilate them in rural areas, but they had great success elsewhere. I think one of the interesting with alternate history, is to see how ideologies can change to changing circumstance and Hitler not being a nobody in the early post-War years would be one. I stopped being a lurker on this site, because of a timeline about the Morgenthau Plan, where I argued for minor changes to Communism, which made it more viable and able to win against a West weaken by the destruction of the motor of the West European economic motor.
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Chapter 4: Land of Plenty
BlackDragon98
Banned
New York City
12/02/1919
Manfred was in wretched spirits as the RMS Cedric docked in New York. His nation was gone, a shell of itself, wracked by disease, communists, and partially occupied by the Belgians and French. He felt as if the sky had collapsed and there was nothing left, no glory, victory, or honor. Especially honor. He had downed 88 Entente planes but that was all for nothing, absolutely nothing. Walking down the gangway, he look at the looming skyscrapers that stood above him. The skyscrapers seemed endless.
America was truly the land of plenty his uncle Walter had spoken of when he visited the family many years ago. They were simply untouched by war. Businesses thrived, rationing was non-existent, and everything seemed to give off a positive aura. It would have been perfect if it wasn't for the Spanish flu that was sweeping across the world.(1) Many had already fallen ill or died in Deutschland, where the lack of food and medical supplies was a widespread problem. The mere thought of the suffering made Manfred angry. He was angry at the Generalstab for losing the war, angry at the Entente for the harsh terms imposed on Deutschland, and angry at the communists for destroying what remained with their antics.(2)
He pushed the anger down and kept walking towards the Waldorf Astoria. It was time to focus on writing his autobiography.
New York City as Manfred would have seen it as he walked towards the Waldorf Astoria. The Roaring Twenties was a time of prosperity and greatness for America.
Deutsche Republik
25/04/1919
Oberleutnant Oskar Reinhart* was having a bad day. The communists were holding their positions and he had to wait for the artillery and flammenwerfers to move up. Those bastards were tough. He had to give them that. They were suffering from a variety of shortages but somehow they hadn't broken and fled. But he was sure that the der Stahlhelm would break through given enough time.(3) They would succeed just like how he and the other naval officers had suppressed the Kiel mutiny when he was just a Fähnrich zur See.(4) Communism had no place in Deutschland and Oskar intended to keep it that way.(5)
Stahlhelm troops waiting to be deployed for combat against Soviet Bavaria. The fledgling Soviet was crushed after a brutal week long battle, with all captured communists and socialists being executed for treason. Many Stahlhelm members would join the SA as the Nazi Party gained power and popularity throughout Germany. Later, these same men would be assigned to the SS together with the rest of the SA after the SA leadership was executed and the SA itself dismantled following the Night of Long Knives.
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The Versailles treaty inflicted hardships and suffering on an already broken nation devastated by blockade and war. The Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-1919 only made things worse. Germany suffered terribly during this time, which only added to general hatred against the Entente, the Versailles treaty, and communism. Antisemitism grew exponentially during this time, along with general desire for revenge. Communism was highly unpopular during this time, as they were seen as agitators destroying an already ruined country with their antics about the proletariat and workers councils. Nonetheless, it still had many supporters, who saw it as the path to the future.(6)
German rearmament continued in total secrecy. Many German owned factories in China were underground weapons manufacturing workshops that produced arms for various Chinese warlords while experimenting with new production techniques. The German military would eventually operate secret military training schools in the Soviet Union (after the Treaty of Rapallo) such as Panzerschule Kama and Kampffliegerschule Lipezk, but the most important contributor to German rearmament was actually located in the United States. It was a recreational flying and gliding organization founded in Denver by Manfred von Richthofen which simultaneously operated as a front for secret military pilot training. He had founded the organization in 1921 following the overwhelming success of his autobiography "My Name is Manfred", an highly truthful account of his life and experiences as a ace pilot in WW1. The book quickly became a bestseller in the US, UK, and Germany following its initial publication in 1920. Profits from the book quickly made von Richthofen a millionaire (in USD) and a large portion of the book's profits went towards the purchase of a large tract of land outside of Denver, Colorado.(7) This property soon became the Eagle Flying School, which soon attracted flying enthusiasts from all walks of life. Von Richthofen had chose Denver because of it's symbolic connection to the von Richthofen family, as his uncle Walter had lived there for many years and was a instrumental part of Denver's development. As well, Denver was located at a very high altitude, which boosted the altitude acclimatization of students.
The secret branch of the Eagle Flying School trained about 100 pilots a year, and many of their numbers become the Luftwaffe's top aces in the coming war. They were trained in instrument flying, navigation, and other vital aspects of aviation by special instructors, all of which were former German WW1 pilots.(8) Many of the pilots who trained here in the 1920s became training staff when the Luftwaffe was formed, while those trained in the 1930s became squadron or flight leaders, as aerial tactics were also a part of their training program. This secret program operated until 1935, when the institution was closed by Bolko von Richthofen, who ran it after his older brother Manfred returned to Germany with his family in 1930.(9) No one knew about the secret training program except for the instructors, trainees, and a small cadre of administrative personnel, all of whom were sworn to secrecy. The results of this training program were both game-changing and utterly shocking, as the Luftwaffe became the world's best equipped, funded, and trained air force when it underwent its baptism of fire in the Spanish Civil War.
Notes:
All characters marked with a (*) are fictional. But ITTL they will have a major role in defining the future.
1. Spanish flu pandemic was just like OTL. Same amount of people died.
2. Manfred is mad, really mad. OTL the guy was close to a mental breakdown when he was killed in 1918. ITTL this turned to anger and hatred against the people and groups he thought were destroying Germany.
3. Stahlhelm was a paramilitary organization that operated in the Weimar Republic. Most of its members joined the SA after Hitler and the Nazis grew in power. Those that did would join the SS after the SA was completely dismantled following the Night of Long Knives.
4. Fähnrich zur See is German for officer cadet; its a naval rank.
5. Communism is going to become real unpopular very soon in Germany.
6. People will still support it. And those people are going to suffer for their choice after the Nazis gain power.
7. He gave the draft to Charles Scribner's Sons. The rest is history.
8. Many instructors were former members of Jagdgeschwader 1 and other German WW1 fighter squadrons.
9. There were 3 von Richthofen brothers. Not much is known about Bolko, so I gave him some stuff to do.
As usual comments, suggestions and questions are encouraged and welcome!
Until next time y'all!
-Black Dragon
12/02/1919
Manfred was in wretched spirits as the RMS Cedric docked in New York. His nation was gone, a shell of itself, wracked by disease, communists, and partially occupied by the Belgians and French. He felt as if the sky had collapsed and there was nothing left, no glory, victory, or honor. Especially honor. He had downed 88 Entente planes but that was all for nothing, absolutely nothing. Walking down the gangway, he look at the looming skyscrapers that stood above him. The skyscrapers seemed endless.
America was truly the land of plenty his uncle Walter had spoken of when he visited the family many years ago. They were simply untouched by war. Businesses thrived, rationing was non-existent, and everything seemed to give off a positive aura. It would have been perfect if it wasn't for the Spanish flu that was sweeping across the world.(1) Many had already fallen ill or died in Deutschland, where the lack of food and medical supplies was a widespread problem. The mere thought of the suffering made Manfred angry. He was angry at the Generalstab for losing the war, angry at the Entente for the harsh terms imposed on Deutschland, and angry at the communists for destroying what remained with their antics.(2)
He pushed the anger down and kept walking towards the Waldorf Astoria. It was time to focus on writing his autobiography.
New York City as Manfred would have seen it as he walked towards the Waldorf Astoria. The Roaring Twenties was a time of prosperity and greatness for America.
Deutsche Republik
25/04/1919
Oberleutnant Oskar Reinhart* was having a bad day. The communists were holding their positions and he had to wait for the artillery and flammenwerfers to move up. Those bastards were tough. He had to give them that. They were suffering from a variety of shortages but somehow they hadn't broken and fled. But he was sure that the der Stahlhelm would break through given enough time.(3) They would succeed just like how he and the other naval officers had suppressed the Kiel mutiny when he was just a Fähnrich zur See.(4) Communism had no place in Deutschland and Oskar intended to keep it that way.(5)
Stahlhelm troops waiting to be deployed for combat against Soviet Bavaria. The fledgling Soviet was crushed after a brutal week long battle, with all captured communists and socialists being executed for treason. Many Stahlhelm members would join the SA as the Nazi Party gained power and popularity throughout Germany. Later, these same men would be assigned to the SS together with the rest of the SA after the SA leadership was executed and the SA itself dismantled following the Night of Long Knives.
******************************************************************************
The Versailles treaty inflicted hardships and suffering on an already broken nation devastated by blockade and war. The Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-1919 only made things worse. Germany suffered terribly during this time, which only added to general hatred against the Entente, the Versailles treaty, and communism. Antisemitism grew exponentially during this time, along with general desire for revenge. Communism was highly unpopular during this time, as they were seen as agitators destroying an already ruined country with their antics about the proletariat and workers councils. Nonetheless, it still had many supporters, who saw it as the path to the future.(6)
German rearmament continued in total secrecy. Many German owned factories in China were underground weapons manufacturing workshops that produced arms for various Chinese warlords while experimenting with new production techniques. The German military would eventually operate secret military training schools in the Soviet Union (after the Treaty of Rapallo) such as Panzerschule Kama and Kampffliegerschule Lipezk, but the most important contributor to German rearmament was actually located in the United States. It was a recreational flying and gliding organization founded in Denver by Manfred von Richthofen which simultaneously operated as a front for secret military pilot training. He had founded the organization in 1921 following the overwhelming success of his autobiography "My Name is Manfred", an highly truthful account of his life and experiences as a ace pilot in WW1. The book quickly became a bestseller in the US, UK, and Germany following its initial publication in 1920. Profits from the book quickly made von Richthofen a millionaire (in USD) and a large portion of the book's profits went towards the purchase of a large tract of land outside of Denver, Colorado.(7) This property soon became the Eagle Flying School, which soon attracted flying enthusiasts from all walks of life. Von Richthofen had chose Denver because of it's symbolic connection to the von Richthofen family, as his uncle Walter had lived there for many years and was a instrumental part of Denver's development. As well, Denver was located at a very high altitude, which boosted the altitude acclimatization of students.
The secret branch of the Eagle Flying School trained about 100 pilots a year, and many of their numbers become the Luftwaffe's top aces in the coming war. They were trained in instrument flying, navigation, and other vital aspects of aviation by special instructors, all of which were former German WW1 pilots.(8) Many of the pilots who trained here in the 1920s became training staff when the Luftwaffe was formed, while those trained in the 1930s became squadron or flight leaders, as aerial tactics were also a part of their training program. This secret program operated until 1935, when the institution was closed by Bolko von Richthofen, who ran it after his older brother Manfred returned to Germany with his family in 1930.(9) No one knew about the secret training program except for the instructors, trainees, and a small cadre of administrative personnel, all of whom were sworn to secrecy. The results of this training program were both game-changing and utterly shocking, as the Luftwaffe became the world's best equipped, funded, and trained air force when it underwent its baptism of fire in the Spanish Civil War.
Notes:
All characters marked with a (*) are fictional. But ITTL they will have a major role in defining the future.
1. Spanish flu pandemic was just like OTL. Same amount of people died.
2. Manfred is mad, really mad. OTL the guy was close to a mental breakdown when he was killed in 1918. ITTL this turned to anger and hatred against the people and groups he thought were destroying Germany.
3. Stahlhelm was a paramilitary organization that operated in the Weimar Republic. Most of its members joined the SA after Hitler and the Nazis grew in power. Those that did would join the SS after the SA was completely dismantled following the Night of Long Knives.
4. Fähnrich zur See is German for officer cadet; its a naval rank.
5. Communism is going to become real unpopular very soon in Germany.
6. People will still support it. And those people are going to suffer for their choice after the Nazis gain power.
7. He gave the draft to Charles Scribner's Sons. The rest is history.
8. Many instructors were former members of Jagdgeschwader 1 and other German WW1 fighter squadrons.
9. There were 3 von Richthofen brothers. Not much is known about Bolko, so I gave him some stuff to do.
As usual comments, suggestions and questions are encouraged and welcome!
Until next time y'all!
-Black Dragon
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That time assimilation would be harder-when Prussia took Posen for the first time vast majority of population were illiterate peasants without national identity. And still, except for Protestants Germanization was unsuccessfull. Parallel to Germanization of Polish speaking Protestants there was Polonization of German Catholics in Posen, when area was ruled by Prussians!
Now both in Poland and in USSR even peasants could read and write and they have developed national identity. Germans could as well try to assimilate French.
BlackDragon98
Banned
He's just living in the States. He's not moving there or becoming a citizen.
See the last paragraph of the main timeline. I mentioned that Manfred returned to Germany in 1930.
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Watched I hope you make this a good tl show us both the German Picture Perfect life of Dream Germania and the bad side for the victims of Hitler. I wait and see what the future holds for our Intrepid Manfred and his budding Friendship with Adolf may even steer the later in a milder (Still Evil) form of Racism.
I liked the smaller consequences of your Pod Manfred didn't write his Autobiograpie in 1917 for one Hitler getting a reputations boost. What i don't understand how that made the HSF Scuttle in german waters?
I liked the smaller consequences of your Pod Manfred didn't write his Autobiograpie in 1917 for one Hitler getting a reputations boost. What i don't understand how that made the HSF Scuttle in german waters?
Chapter 5: The Shape of Things to Come
BlackDragon98
Banned
Denver, Colorado
05/12/1921
When Manfred opened his eyes he did not know where he was. He was wearing a strange military uniform that he did not recognize and held a field marshal's baton in his left hand. There was a loud buzzing sound that he instantly distinguished as the sound of aircraft engines. They shot overhead with a thunderous roar, as more and more of them filled the sky with their distinctive shapes. Manfred looked around. There were men in Stahlhelms, wearing strange black uniforms that he could not identify and they marched in complete unison before him. And then he heard the booming voice beside him, which made him turn around. But there was no one there, yet the voice continued to speak. It spoke about rearmament, a new Reich, and revenge against the traitors that had betrayed them in the Great War. When it finished, everyone in the parade square saluted the voice by raising their right arm from the neck into the air with a straightened hand. Manfred saluted simultaneously, albeit in the traditional fashion. Then, he heard something behind him and turned around. All he could see were heaps of corpses and dying people. They all stretched their emaciated, rotting hands towards him in unison, trying to reach him. The stench of death filled the air.
Manfred woke with a start. He looked around fearfully. There was no soldiers or corpses anywhere and he was still in the confines of his bedroom. All he could hear was the gentle breathing of his young, pregnant wife as she slept peacefully. Manfred put his arm around her and began to fall asleep again. Everything was fine. Just fine.
The 1936 Nuremberg Rally is pretty much what Manfred saw in his nightmare.
******************************************************************************
The wedding between Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen and Caroline Sieglinde Hoffman occurred on March 20th, 1921. Caroline was a secretary in the Eagle Flying School when she first meet Manfred; he was 28 and she was 19. She was a part of the secret training program, a 2nd generation immigrant whose parents were from Hamburg, Germany. She and all the other administrative staff were the children of German immigrants or immigrants themselves and all were sworn to secrecy about the fighter pilot training program. Her beauty and efficiency quickly caught Manfred's eye, and she was soon promoted to executive secretary. He proposed to her on January 7th, 1921 and they were married a few months later.
Caroline was an accomplished woman who was a talented pianist, skilled in archery and fluent in 4 different languages; German, English, French and Spanish.(2) She was nothing like the society ladies of the time, as she would often joining Manfred in hunting, and worked closely with her husband in running the flying school. She did not even let her pregnancy get in the way of her duties at work and she would impart her strength and determination to her children, who would all to live up to their father's image and reputation. The couple's first child, a son, was born on December 27th 1921.(1) He was named Walter Frederick von Richthofen, Walter after Manfred's American uncle and Frederick* after his chief mechanic in WW1.(3) The von Richthofens lived a happy, peaceful life in Denver as Manfred's flying school grew all the more popular, while chaos wrapped it's dark fingers around the globe.
Notes:
1. Walter won't be their only child for long. More will follow...
2. Caroline and Manfred will return to German with their children in 1930. But that's a story of its own.
3. See my previous chapters for more info on these 2 men. Walter is historical but Frederick is my own creation.
Sorry for the short chapter everyone! Life is getting in the way of writing but I felt obliged to drop something off today. Hope you enjoy it!
As usual, questions, comments, and suggestions are always welcome!
-Black Dragon
05/12/1921
When Manfred opened his eyes he did not know where he was. He was wearing a strange military uniform that he did not recognize and held a field marshal's baton in his left hand. There was a loud buzzing sound that he instantly distinguished as the sound of aircraft engines. They shot overhead with a thunderous roar, as more and more of them filled the sky with their distinctive shapes. Manfred looked around. There were men in Stahlhelms, wearing strange black uniforms that he could not identify and they marched in complete unison before him. And then he heard the booming voice beside him, which made him turn around. But there was no one there, yet the voice continued to speak. It spoke about rearmament, a new Reich, and revenge against the traitors that had betrayed them in the Great War. When it finished, everyone in the parade square saluted the voice by raising their right arm from the neck into the air with a straightened hand. Manfred saluted simultaneously, albeit in the traditional fashion. Then, he heard something behind him and turned around. All he could see were heaps of corpses and dying people. They all stretched their emaciated, rotting hands towards him in unison, trying to reach him. The stench of death filled the air.
Manfred woke with a start. He looked around fearfully. There was no soldiers or corpses anywhere and he was still in the confines of his bedroom. All he could hear was the gentle breathing of his young, pregnant wife as she slept peacefully. Manfred put his arm around her and began to fall asleep again. Everything was fine. Just fine.
The 1936 Nuremberg Rally is pretty much what Manfred saw in his nightmare.
******************************************************************************
The wedding between Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen and Caroline Sieglinde Hoffman occurred on March 20th, 1921. Caroline was a secretary in the Eagle Flying School when she first meet Manfred; he was 28 and she was 19. She was a part of the secret training program, a 2nd generation immigrant whose parents were from Hamburg, Germany. She and all the other administrative staff were the children of German immigrants or immigrants themselves and all were sworn to secrecy about the fighter pilot training program. Her beauty and efficiency quickly caught Manfred's eye, and she was soon promoted to executive secretary. He proposed to her on January 7th, 1921 and they were married a few months later.
Caroline was an accomplished woman who was a talented pianist, skilled in archery and fluent in 4 different languages; German, English, French and Spanish.(2) She was nothing like the society ladies of the time, as she would often joining Manfred in hunting, and worked closely with her husband in running the flying school. She did not even let her pregnancy get in the way of her duties at work and she would impart her strength and determination to her children, who would all to live up to their father's image and reputation. The couple's first child, a son, was born on December 27th 1921.(1) He was named Walter Frederick von Richthofen, Walter after Manfred's American uncle and Frederick* after his chief mechanic in WW1.(3) The von Richthofens lived a happy, peaceful life in Denver as Manfred's flying school grew all the more popular, while chaos wrapped it's dark fingers around the globe.
Notes:
1. Walter won't be their only child for long. More will follow...
2. Caroline and Manfred will return to German with their children in 1930. But that's a story of its own.
3. See my previous chapters for more info on these 2 men. Walter is historical but Frederick is my own creation.
Sorry for the short chapter everyone! Life is getting in the way of writing but I felt obliged to drop something off today. Hope you enjoy it!
As usual, questions, comments, and suggestions are always welcome!
-Black Dragon
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Goering might not be the only Luftwaffe chief in the multiverse to declare that he decides who is Jewish.
Dolan
Banned
I imagine Manfred would be dismayed when he meet the Fat Goering again, so much that he'll use his position as Goering's superior to force him to undergone Physical training from Hell in effort to "achieve ideal Aryan body".
BlackDragon98
Banned
The Luftwaffe will be ready for war.
Pilots ready and engines running.
I'm going to talk about the effects of the flying school on the new Luftwaffe in further detail.
But that's an update for another time.
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BlackDragon98
Banned
Nope, but very good at handling paperwork and such tasks, as well as getting rid of every bit of unnecessary paperwork.
Everyone sees the pilots but few see the army of personnel dedicated to keeping those pilots flying.
Gotta appreciate the ground crew and administrative personnel.
BlackDragon98
Banned
Like what I said in my previous answers, Manfred doesn't care for politics much.
He going to be focus 100% on running the Luftwaffe and associated stuff.
The rest shall be unveiled when its time.
BlackDragon98
Banned
All Axis victory are at least 10% ASB.
Its impossible otherwise.
But rest assured, I will make this TL as realistic as possible.
Short Announcement
BlackDragon98
Banned
Just a short announcement, y'all.
I've run out of pre-written chapters. Literally.
I never could have imagined in a million years that this TL would receive so much support and encouragement.
Thank you to all my kind readers for showing me your support! This kind of stuff keeps my morale up and my keyboard clacking.
A new chapter and 3 year overview (1917-1920) will be released on February 2nd.
In the meantime, I will go thru my previous chapters and edit for spelling and grammar mistakes, along with any general errors.
Until next time everyone!
-Black Dragon
I've run out of pre-written chapters. Literally.
I never could have imagined in a million years that this TL would receive so much support and encouragement.
Thank you to all my kind readers for showing me your support! This kind of stuff keeps my morale up and my keyboard clacking.
A new chapter and 3 year overview (1917-1920) will be released on February 2nd.
In the meantime, I will go thru my previous chapters and edit for spelling and grammar mistakes, along with any general errors.
Until next time everyone!
-Black Dragon