For Whom The Panzer Rolls

[RedHistorian1917]

July 5th, 1940

It was a warm afternoon in the Berchtesgaden, the sweet smell of the mountains of Bayern surrounded the Alpine nest. In his staff car, Keitel drove to the checkpoint. The vehicle came to a brief halt for checking identification before continuing onward. After parking, the General quickly exited his car and headed inside to meet with the Fuhrer. He found the man with a couple of other officials in the main room pondering over a map of German conquests.

"Mein fuhrer I have traveled a long way to bring you my report may we begin? The Austrian nodded in approval. "Reports from occupied France have been strenuous and concerning. Resistance has propped up throughout France, supplied by the British and the genuine hatred of our occupation. Railways, industry, garrison forces are at risk as a result of these activities. However, the most concerning point of my report come from the Franco-Iberian border.

It is the belief of the Gestapo that French resistance fighters have used the friendly left-leaning government in Spain to their advantage to cross across borders, hide in Spain and receive aid from the Republicans. This creates a severe problem for both our friends in Vichy and the Northern Occupation. With a friendly left-leaning government on the border, the resistance will most likely continue if not increase". Hitler sat down in contemplation with his chin attached to his hand. Keitel continued his report "the Spanish Third Republic is in a fragile position due to recently recovering from the recent civil war, it would not take much effort to pacify the Spanish".

"Pacify" Hitler questioned. "I have consulted many generals within the High Command and a plan is being drawn up for a potential pacification of the Spanish. It would only take about 15 good German infantry divisions with air and perhaps a couple of panzer divisions as support to deal with the Spanish. From our analysis, the Spanish Republican Army has a good 8 Infantry divisions none with artillery support and no comprehensive air force. This also gives the opportunity to take the Rock of Gibraltar which holds the key to the Mediterranean.

This plan has been given the title of "Operation Felix" and could be ready by late September". Hitler examined the documents "these 10 infantry divisions will need to come from somewhere", "exactly mein fuhrer, we could pull 100,000 troops from our Norwegian occupation and other less vulnerable resources". Hitler paused to think over the plan even further, "this will have to be well thought over but thank you for bringing this to my attention". Keitel exited the room, feeling content with the meeting which took place.

Divergences: The Republicans win the Spanish Civil War due to the following factors
More support from France, Germany not sending transport aircraft to airlift the Army of Morroco (Goering convinces Hitler not to), Republicans give arms faster to socialist militias, CNT-FAI and rest of the Popular Front reach a compromise on collectivization. This leads to a lot of generals switching sides once they see the coup failing. Civil War ends by late 1938. The third Spanish Republic is established and is a democratic socialist country with workers controlling industry through unions and cooperatives. everything else goes relatively normal in Europe until the start of this timeline.

Current Map of July 5th, 1940

 

[RedHistorian1917]

This is my first alternate history so leave a comment and also give me some ideas on where to take this

 

[UnaiB]

So, did the Spanish Second Republic won the Civil War ITTL?

 

[Gudestein]

I like the premise, but it may seem a bit fast for organized resistance to occur in France. Maybe armed forces withdrew into Spain and were not interned?

 

[Naval Aviation Fan]

An interesting premise, but I have to be honest, it was the title that grabbed my interest. If your creativity in naming your work is any indication, I'm looking forward to this. Subscribed.

Can you give us a side by side, with just a couple of dates, comparing and showcasing the differences ITTL from ORL? That might help us see where you are coming from and better understand the altered circumstances in your timeline.

 

[RedHistorian1917]

July 13th, 1940

Late at night, the general staff of the Wehrmacht meet in a Berlin suburb, even in the middle of summer, the berlin nights had been getting colder and the generals wore the normal heavy gray uniforms more comfortably. Those who attended the meeting included the hero of the Fall Rote; Manstein, Erwin Rommel, Rundstedt, Keitel, Kluge, and Halder. The gathering, although official, felt as if it were a house party. High-quality wine, (courtesy of occupied France) was served along with cheese, crackers and other party snacks. Finally, the talking and laughing of the generals began to dial down and they began to make their way together from the outdoor garden into the Berlin house.

Once settled inside Halder was the first to speak "Gentlemen under the directive of our fuhrer we have been authorized to prepare an operation to remove the Spanish bolshevik threat permanently and restore order to the Iberian region". The generals nodded their heads in agreement and began to focus intently on the map spread across the table. The plan before them gathered 10 Infantry Divisions, 2 Panzer Divisions, and a parachute detachment. They would converge at Toulouse and form up into an "Army Group Iberia". Keitel immediately interrupted Halder, "If we put German troops in Toulouse then that basically affirms that we hold control over our "neutral" puppet".

Halder responded "Petain is our puppet he will have no choice than to obey our wishes to station troops in Vichy. If he resists then Vichy will have outlived its usefulness". Halder then continued with the plan. "From then the group would penetrate the Spanish border in an all-out push down through Spain. Once Spain was secured a siege of Gibraltar will begin".

This plan was called "Operation Felix" and was set for September 2nd, 1940. Rommel was the first to voice his opinion "This would mean fewer forces available for helping Italy in Africa" he grimaced. Halder responded bluntly "Africa is most likely lost cause Herr General, the British have vast forces and investments in that theater". Halder continued "The crossing of the Iberian border will be accompanied with a major paradrop by our Fallschimjaegers. Model grimaced "We will have to consult Herr Student on that department".

"Seeing Spain's recent civil war it is most likely that we can raise very rapidly a collaborationist regime with combat units in Spain along with our own garrisons". The generals throughout the room clearly approved of the plan brought forward by Halder. "From our estimates, we will at max face only 100,000 Republican troops which are only about 6-8 divisions. Without proper air force, logistics, modern equipment they will be sitting ducks compared to our infantry and panzer forces" Rundstedt concluded. The meeting was now drawing to a close and Halder's aids passed out multiple operations folders for Operation Felix "gentlemen the plans before you are top secret and must only be shared with your staff". Many generals now filed out and exited the berlin suburb in their staff cars, each contemplating the impact of Operation Felix.

 

[alspug]

This could very well break the back of the Axis as war weary they may be they have many experienced veterans . I also guarantee that after the battle is won the Spanish will have invested in modern aircraft and other weapons . British reinforcements are definitely sent immediately to hold the Mediterranean open . Spain can expect to see shipments of tanks , AA guns and material to rapidly stand up more divisions . A victorious republic army will have 600,000 plus combat veterans . Also the T-26 and BT-5 both had a very good 45 mm cannon able to kill German armour at range . The air force would be under threat due to the I-16 and 1-15 being primary fighters . Expect to see Hurricanes purchased fast . Also the Matilda and Valentine will see much use . This is a Tar baby , not as bad as the Soviet Union but much closer to British Ports .

 

[Some Bloke]

Haven't seen an alternate Spanish Civil War TL for years.

 

[Gudestein]

I don’t get it why they feel stretched for troops. Iotl they were not doing much before later in the year and off course 1941.
Might operation Felix lead to a postponement of the Battle of Britain?

 

[Gudestein]

This could very well break the back of the Axis as war weary they may be they have many experienced veterans . I also guarantee that after the battle is won the Spanish will have invested in modern aircraft and other weapons . British reinforcements are definitely sent immediately to hold the Mediterranean open . Spain can expect to see shipments of tanks , AA guns and material to rapidly stand up more divisions . A victorious republic army will have 600,000 plus combat veterans . Also the T-26 and BT-5 both had a very good 45 mm cannon able to kill German armour at range . The air force would be under threat due to the I-16 and 1-15 being primary fighters . Expect to see Hurricanes purchased fast . Also the Matilda and Valentine will see much use . This is a Tar baby , not as bad as the Soviet Union but much closer to British Ports .

I-16’s In 1940???
T-26 and BT-5 losses against panzer 3 and iv? Look at the otl losses in the Soviet Union.
British material? The just lost what they had in France.
600000 yes, opposed by 500000 nationalists from within.
This will be a very dirty war, but Spaniard will kill Spaniard. The Germans don’t have to.
The British will try to maintain the front, but they will lose.

 

[Michele]

This is my first alternate history so leave a comment and also give me some ideas on where to take this

The Wolfsschanze (this is the correct spelling) did not exist in 1940. Otto von Stülpnagel (correct spelling) was not the military commander of occupied France in July 1940. My suggestion is to stick to a bare-bones timeline of major events, rather than to come up with a narrative filled with details, if the details are going to be wrong.

 

[Some Bloke]

No latter Battle of Britain means better prepared RAF and Army means less or no invasion scare which buggered R & D for a year.

 

[Some Bloke]

The Wolfsschanze (this is the correct spelling) did not exist in 1940. Otto von Stülpnagel (correct spelling) was not the military commander of occupied France in July 1940. My suggestion is to stick to a bare-bones timeline of major events, rather than to come up with a narrative filled with details, if the details are going to be wrong.

Maybe the first time round and a narrative style for the eventual redux?

 

[Purity of Violence]

How does Rommel know the Italians need German support in North Africa in July 1940? The Brits must be kicking all kinds of arse. And why is he getting a say? He's a divisional commander...

How can the Germans mass at Toulouse - it's inside Vichy Territory. Did Algeria just go Free French? Overwise it's an uncommonly short timed backstab, even by Nazi standards.

 

[RedHistorian1917]

The Wolfsschanze (this is the correct spelling) did not exist in 1940. Otto von Stülpnagel (correct spelling) was not the military commander of occupied France in July 1940. My suggestion is to stick to a bare-bones timeline of major events, rather than to come up with a narrative filled with details, if the details are going to be wrong.

Thanks for the suggestions, the edits have been complete

 

[Some Bloke]

Does Mers el Kebir still happen here?

 

[RedHistorian1917]

July 21st, 1940

It was a relatively quiet morning in Buckinghamshire as a victorian era estate buzzed with activity. Little did most British citizens know that this unassuming estate was, in fact, the nerve center of British intelligence. A young man sat at his station meant for decrypting the German signals and troop movements. Listening intently he suddenly sprung up and ran down a hallway running into Denningston the commander of operations at Bletchley."Sir we have something", "speak up son" Dennington replied bluntly. "I picked up some interesting transmissions regarding Norway, looks like jerries are lightening up the garrisons at Norway and moving them elsewhere". Dennington motioned the man to walk with him into his office to continue the conversation.

"On the Iberia ordeal, it seems Jerry is quite interested in the peninsula. "What's your source on this info?" "Various Norwegian friendlies". Denningston thought to himself "If Jerry wants Gilbralter the only way to get it is through Spain and that means invasion. Denniston then spoke; "Interesting, I'll pass up the reports to my higher-ups but for the moment bloody old man Goering is right overhead the channel and our boys in the air need all the help they can get, I'm afraid they won't pay much attention to these reports regarding German troops movement. Denningston then lit up a cigar and the man exited the room as he left Denningston thought to himself The krauts are on the march where to we have yet to find out. Later that day Denningston passed up a file to his superiors in London regarding the recent intelligence.

 

[RedHistorian1917]

Does Mers el Kebir still happen here?

yes

 

[Some Bloke]

A tenner says TTL's Sharpe series is set in WWII.

 

[RedHistorian1917]

August 2nd, 1940

Andre Marty found himself in a position, not unlike many other french leftists, fleeing from the German fascists. he found himself in exile in Barcelona. The socialist-led Spanish Third Republic was a beacon to many on the left He was recognized on the streets and was somewhat of a celebrity amongst the local populace. Andre had led the international brigades through the Comintern organization. The international brigades proved a critical role for moral and solidarity during the civil war. Andre, however, found himself in a depressing state. The war looked lost as Hitler smashed through his homeland of France and carved his "reich" out as the dominant force in Europe. Andre made his way from his Barcelona apartment into the local tavern to drink away his sorrows. Hours passed as he consumed himself into a stupor, eventually, he found himself almost alone except for a shadowy figure in the back of the bar. The man eventually approached him "Es vous Andre Marty Monsieur?"

"Oui, comment vous appelez?" Andre thought to himself, "this man is definitely a Frenchmen like me but what does he want from me?" "Je suis un maquis et nous avons vous aide". Andre wondered to himself, the Nazi-Soviet Molotov Ribbentrop Pact tied the PCF's hands from officially joining resistance organizations. All the while the official party did nothing his homeland stood in the German shadow. "Comment etre vous nombreux?" Andre commented, "beaucoup de volontaires pas de experience". Andre finally came up to a decision, "le Comintern ne pouvoir aime moi choix, mais devoirs contre pour France et l'revolutione internationale". The man smiled and gave him a meeting place for the next day. Andre while drunk, walked to his apartment grinning from ear to ear, he would finally be fighting for something instead of drowning out his depression in drinking and Spanish women. He would be joining the maquis and thus the French resistance, regardless of what they thought in Moscow.

Note: IRL Andre was in the Soviet Union but given that Spain is a socialist republic and closer then the Russian SFSR it logically makes sense for him to be in Spain. Also, I hoped readers enjoyed my attempt at writing dialogue in French (I'm still learning the language).