Caution: Many of you might find this proposed background sceniario to be borderline impossible. I understand and agree, but please, let's try focusing on the actual question and not the background.
Background:
During the German occupation of Austria, Hungary sends its army to occupy Burgenland and demands the referendum to have in the area the option to vote for joining Hungary. The demand is accepted by the Germans, and Burgenland miraculously votes to rejoin Hungary.
The Münich Conference and the First Vienna Award happen just like OTL did, but during the German occupation of Czechia, Hungary not only invades Carpatho-Ruthenia, but also Slovakia.
Oddly, the Hungarian boldness impressess Hitler, despite the Hungarian leaderships' visible efforts to disassociate their actions from the Germans'.
Later, WW2 begins, Hungary declares armed neutrality. The war proceeds as OTL, including the Second Vienna Award until the invasion of Yugoslavia. Hungary doesn't sign a treaty of friendship with Yugoslavia TTL, and PM Pál Teleki doesn't commit suicide and remains in position. Hungary attacks Yugoslavia together with Germany, albeit without cooperation between the two, as German troops are not allowed on Hungarian soil. Hungary occupies what it did OTL and also West Banat. Just like OTL, despite the active military action taken by Hungary, the Allies merely freeze the official diplomatic channels with the country.
Under PM Pál Teleki, Hungary doesn't join the invasion of the Soviet Union and continues to build up its military forces. By 1943, the German demands to Hungarian involvement in the war against the Soviets become louder and louder, but Horthy manages to personally convince Hitler, that the Hungarian military still needs a little time before being ready to joining the war and also Hungary being safe from allied bombings is useful to Germany to manufacture war products there safely. This temporarily calms Hitler.
Things change in early 1944 though, when the Soviets approach the Romanian borders and threaten to cut off the direct German connection to the Romanian. But since the Hungarians are still unwilling to join the war. Hitler decides to invade Hungary.
In late March the Germans invade Hungary, but unexpectedly heavy resistance greets them. The complete failure of the German intel on Hungarian military strength and preparedness becomes apparent.
In early April, the Soviets reach the Hungarian border at Bukovina. The German forces in Romania are in an uncertain position.
Earlier than OTL Michael I of Romania launches his coup in late April and ejects his country from the war. As a result, the German Southern Front collapses. During the chaos, the Hungarians occupy the entirety of Transylvania, where they remained defensive until this point. The Germans quickly begin the evacuation of all their forces from Romania and the entire Balkans towards Croatia. After the German withdrawal the Yugoslav partisans quickly take over in most of the former Yugoslavia, but Osijek, Vukovar, most of Srem, and also Belgrade comes under Hungarian occupation. Skirmishes between the Hungarians and Yugoslavs become frequent.
Meanwhile, the Allied landing in Normandy further divides the German forces, taking pressure off Hungary, who's forces successfully resisted the German forces first at the Leitha and Morava rivers, then at the Raab-Danube-Little Carpathians line.
Ultimately, the war in Europe ends in late April, 1945. The Hungarians forces in the last months occupy Vienna, Graz and most of Moravia.
The question is:
Now what?
Note: Conferences, diplomatic communications and such even from during the war can be discussed.
I'm very eager to hear your opinions!
Background:
During the German occupation of Austria, Hungary sends its army to occupy Burgenland and demands the referendum to have in the area the option to vote for joining Hungary. The demand is accepted by the Germans, and Burgenland miraculously votes to rejoin Hungary.
The Münich Conference and the First Vienna Award happen just like OTL did, but during the German occupation of Czechia, Hungary not only invades Carpatho-Ruthenia, but also Slovakia.
Oddly, the Hungarian boldness impressess Hitler, despite the Hungarian leaderships' visible efforts to disassociate their actions from the Germans'.
Later, WW2 begins, Hungary declares armed neutrality. The war proceeds as OTL, including the Second Vienna Award until the invasion of Yugoslavia. Hungary doesn't sign a treaty of friendship with Yugoslavia TTL, and PM Pál Teleki doesn't commit suicide and remains in position. Hungary attacks Yugoslavia together with Germany, albeit without cooperation between the two, as German troops are not allowed on Hungarian soil. Hungary occupies what it did OTL and also West Banat. Just like OTL, despite the active military action taken by Hungary, the Allies merely freeze the official diplomatic channels with the country.
Under PM Pál Teleki, Hungary doesn't join the invasion of the Soviet Union and continues to build up its military forces. By 1943, the German demands to Hungarian involvement in the war against the Soviets become louder and louder, but Horthy manages to personally convince Hitler, that the Hungarian military still needs a little time before being ready to joining the war and also Hungary being safe from allied bombings is useful to Germany to manufacture war products there safely. This temporarily calms Hitler.
Things change in early 1944 though, when the Soviets approach the Romanian borders and threaten to cut off the direct German connection to the Romanian. But since the Hungarians are still unwilling to join the war. Hitler decides to invade Hungary.
In late March the Germans invade Hungary, but unexpectedly heavy resistance greets them. The complete failure of the German intel on Hungarian military strength and preparedness becomes apparent.
In early April, the Soviets reach the Hungarian border at Bukovina. The German forces in Romania are in an uncertain position.
Earlier than OTL Michael I of Romania launches his coup in late April and ejects his country from the war. As a result, the German Southern Front collapses. During the chaos, the Hungarians occupy the entirety of Transylvania, where they remained defensive until this point. The Germans quickly begin the evacuation of all their forces from Romania and the entire Balkans towards Croatia. After the German withdrawal the Yugoslav partisans quickly take over in most of the former Yugoslavia, but Osijek, Vukovar, most of Srem, and also Belgrade comes under Hungarian occupation. Skirmishes between the Hungarians and Yugoslavs become frequent.
Meanwhile, the Allied landing in Normandy further divides the German forces, taking pressure off Hungary, who's forces successfully resisted the German forces first at the Leitha and Morava rivers, then at the Raab-Danube-Little Carpathians line.
Ultimately, the war in Europe ends in late April, 1945. The Hungarians forces in the last months occupy Vienna, Graz and most of Moravia.
The question is:
Now what?
Note: Conferences, diplomatic communications and such even from during the war can be discussed.
I'm very eager to hear your opinions!
I have seen posts which didn’t get single one.