Hitler Assassinated, Monarchy Restored?

  • Thread starter Deleted member 1487
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Deleted member 1487

In this TL von Richthofen survives the war and takes on the role of Herman Göring OTL. Richthofen is enraged by Germany's prostration after the war and falls in with the Nazis, which legitimizes them much as Göring's presence did. He becomes head of the Luftwaffe. After Hitler starts making his demands and risking a war that Germany cannot win in Richthofen's opinion, Richthofen puts a plan into effect to assassinate Hitler. After Hitler threatens Poland with war, Richthofen has the plane that Hitler was flying in crash and makes it look like an accident.

What does Richthofen do now? He is essentially the Heir to the Reich, but does he keep power himself or restore the monarchy? He is an aristocrat himself and a Prussian. Does this allow for a later Detente with the west and does the Soviet Union invade Finland?
 
I don't think this fits my understanding of V. Richthofen very well. I doubt he has the charisma to be a great politician of leading a state. In addition, simply because Hitler Dies has nothing to do with The Red Baron becoming Kanzler. Indeed, by this point, the Nazis are embedded enough to retain control.

I'm unsure that Hitler would have Richtofen as the next man in his government--indeed, this could cause the country to splinter apart. Nor can Germany count on goodwill from the outside world, as its already screwed Czechoslovakia at this point.

The Red Baron doesn't make it into power in the first place. SS sharks, the Wehrmacht, and various other barons of the Nazi inner circle have several more powerhungry types that would probably crush him--he's a quiet exemplar, not a brilliant orator or backstabber. Indeed, the best he could probably do in the post-Hitler shuffle is to keep his job, and that is not a given either.

Alien Space Bats put the Red Baron in Power?
 

Deleted member 1487

All people change and grow, why could he not develop those skills later on?
Also, remeber Göring was Hitler's next in line.

If not Richthofen, then who?
 
That's just it. I'm not sure how likely he would be to really replace Goring as a clone. Yes, he could develop these skills, but much more likely he doesn't serve a political role. It's one thing to be a gifted Pilot and National Hero, another entirely to be a great Administrator.

Richthofen is not as bloodthirsty or aggressive as the likes of Himmler, Martin Bormann, Arthur Seyss-Inquart, or Heydrich. Nor is it likely that he holds his own against these people--and of course, there is the whole problem with the death of the Fuhrer by Airplane. His opponents will tar it with it, and if Himmler can actually crack the case, he's a dead man.

Probably Himmler with the SS, a Military Junta, or Rudolf Hess serving as a figurehead while other party officials work it out.

Richthofen is about as likely to replace Hitler as Otto Strasser.
 

Redbeard

Banned
I do not know enough about von Richthofen's personality to say whether he would have been a good/strong politician, or what he would have done if in power, but his kills as a fighter pilot are about as relevant as how fast he can change a diaper. If finding WWI heroes I would more believe in lettow-Vorbeck, he at least showed he could organise and lead men, but again, politics are very special, and even the most succesful businessmen usually are utter failures in politics.

Being a big hero of course help a lot to start a political career, but if he hasn't got a certain degree of will for power and ruthlessness, his political career will not last long. If he has the will and brutality, he might last longer, but if he goes for the ultimate top he will also need to be extremely skilled in the political power play - when to kill and when to let live etc. Here his hero status might be a liability, as it would be obvious to his contenders that he should be kept away from real power sources. A more sinister type - staying in the background but discretely controlling vital elements of the power structure probably would have a better chance.

It appears like Hitler always had his lieutenants be enough rivals for none of them ever being a threat. In this context only some kind of coalition would be needed to take over. Here a public hero of course would be nice as the communicator or symbol, but without back-up from dominant forces of society it won't work. When SA and Hitler's most serious rivals were liquidated in 1934, it so was in a kind of coalition with big money (fearing the nazi wing with more stress on socialism than nationalism) and the army (fearing SA plans of taking over national defence).

Regards

Steffen Redbeard
 
Is the restoration of the Hohenzerellens one of those overrated turning points? I mean, even when Hindenburg was president, nothing happened.
 
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