While the point of departure for this WI is something of a stretch, it is within possibility however slim that may be. It isn't completely ABS however. Weirder things have happened in history.
Hitler and Germany enter World War 2 on September 4th 1939 invading Poland. Events occur historically up through December 1941. Russia is on the ropes. German divisions are on Moscow’s doorstep. In North Africa Britain is reeling in defeat.
The only differences are that Hitler has kept the U-boats in the Eastern Atlantic attacking British shipping. No US warships have been torpedoed and the tension between the US and Germany is lower than it was historically as a result. This is not much of a stretch and Hitler would have easily ceded to doing this.
The next is that Rudolf Hess doesn’t make his “peace” flight to England on May 18, 1941 and remains deputy fuhrer of the Reich. This change really has no impact on war events, but is necessary to make the scenario fully work.
On December 7th 1941 Japan attacks Pearl Harbor in a surprise strike and the US goes to war with Japan. The next day Karl Haushoffer, the geopolitical theorist, and good friend of Rudolf Hess rushes to Hess’ residence.
Digressing for a moment, Haushoffer lived in Japan for several years just before WW 1 and even met the emperor. He is also a close friend and confidant of Hess, and his scientific and geopolitical advisor. His prewar book Geopolitics of the Pacific Ocean and his advice and direction were instrumental in Nazi relations with Japan. So, he has significant influence in this regime.
Haushofer tells Hess “We must meet with the Fuhrer immediately! It regards Japan’s entry into the war.” They discuss the situation at some length.
He and Hess meet with Hitler and Von Ribbentrop on the 10th. They discuss the matter of Japan and the US being at war. Von Ribbentrop is against declaring war on the US, arguing (historically as he did) that it would put Germany in a bind.
Haushoffer adds that the United States is outside Germany’s geopolitical realm of influence and should be kept from siding with Britain and Russia in the current war. Ribbentrop and Hess agree readily. He also notes to Hitler, who has made some minor rants about FDR in particular, that the US is overall an Aryan state with a population that includes millions of ethnic Germans as well as tens of millions who have German ancestry. He also notes that Japan will not go to war with the USSR or support German geopolitical goals.
Then Hess and Haushofer make an odd suggestion. “Fuhrer, what if we declare war on Japan? They have abrogated the non-aggression treaty they have with us.”
Ribbentrop adds, “We have no obligation to support their aggression, I have said this before.”
Hess then says “Declaring war on Japan solves two problems for us. First, it will keep the Americans out of this war we are fighting as we would be their allies against Japan. Second, it puts Britain in a position of supporting a war against us when we want peace with them while fighting a war against Japan as their ally. With Britain out of the war we face only Russia who we can defeat. We will have achieved our political dream of a united Aryan homeland.”
Ribbentrop adds, “It costs us nothing Herr Fuhrer. We need only make offers of support to America and not provoke them further. Japan offers us nothing as an ally.”
On December 11th, Hitler declares war on Japan.
Hitler and Germany enter World War 2 on September 4th 1939 invading Poland. Events occur historically up through December 1941. Russia is on the ropes. German divisions are on Moscow’s doorstep. In North Africa Britain is reeling in defeat.
The only differences are that Hitler has kept the U-boats in the Eastern Atlantic attacking British shipping. No US warships have been torpedoed and the tension between the US and Germany is lower than it was historically as a result. This is not much of a stretch and Hitler would have easily ceded to doing this.
The next is that Rudolf Hess doesn’t make his “peace” flight to England on May 18, 1941 and remains deputy fuhrer of the Reich. This change really has no impact on war events, but is necessary to make the scenario fully work.
On December 7th 1941 Japan attacks Pearl Harbor in a surprise strike and the US goes to war with Japan. The next day Karl Haushoffer, the geopolitical theorist, and good friend of Rudolf Hess rushes to Hess’ residence.
Digressing for a moment, Haushoffer lived in Japan for several years just before WW 1 and even met the emperor. He is also a close friend and confidant of Hess, and his scientific and geopolitical advisor. His prewar book Geopolitics of the Pacific Ocean and his advice and direction were instrumental in Nazi relations with Japan. So, he has significant influence in this regime.
Haushofer tells Hess “We must meet with the Fuhrer immediately! It regards Japan’s entry into the war.” They discuss the situation at some length.
He and Hess meet with Hitler and Von Ribbentrop on the 10th. They discuss the matter of Japan and the US being at war. Von Ribbentrop is against declaring war on the US, arguing (historically as he did) that it would put Germany in a bind.
Haushoffer adds that the United States is outside Germany’s geopolitical realm of influence and should be kept from siding with Britain and Russia in the current war. Ribbentrop and Hess agree readily. He also notes to Hitler, who has made some minor rants about FDR in particular, that the US is overall an Aryan state with a population that includes millions of ethnic Germans as well as tens of millions who have German ancestry. He also notes that Japan will not go to war with the USSR or support German geopolitical goals.
Then Hess and Haushofer make an odd suggestion. “Fuhrer, what if we declare war on Japan? They have abrogated the non-aggression treaty they have with us.”
Ribbentrop adds, “We have no obligation to support their aggression, I have said this before.”
Hess then says “Declaring war on Japan solves two problems for us. First, it will keep the Americans out of this war we are fighting as we would be their allies against Japan. Second, it puts Britain in a position of supporting a war against us when we want peace with them while fighting a war against Japan as their ally. With Britain out of the war we face only Russia who we can defeat. We will have achieved our political dream of a united Aryan homeland.”
Ribbentrop adds, “It costs us nothing Herr Fuhrer. We need only make offers of support to America and not provoke them further. Japan offers us nothing as an ally.”
On December 11th, Hitler declares war on Japan.
