Hitler Killed in July 20th Bomb Plot

Robert

Banned
July 20, 1944 - Hitler killed by bomb at "Wolf's Lair" Command Center. Military Government takes over in Berlin under former General Ludwig Beck. Most field commands side with Berlin Government. Gobbles taken into custody by Germany Army after denouncing Hitler's death announcement as only a "rumor". Goring attempts to take seat of power as designated successor, while Himmler mobilizes SS and stages a counter coup. Allied Intelligence confirms Hitler's death through Ultra intercepts.

July 21, 1944 - Germany Armies begin pull back from France in anticipation of armistice. Peace feelers sent out by German Military Government in Berlin. SS units refuses pull back orders, fight to the death. Fighting between German Army and SS units through out Germany. On Russian Front German Forces fall back and consolidate lines. Russian Intelligence confirms Hitler's death. Stalin orders massive attack in hopes of taking advantage of chaos. Goring orders Luftwaffe Ground Forces and Fighters to defend bases only.

July 22, 1944 - Germany peace feelers rebuffed by Roosevelt and Churchill. Demand for Unconditional Surrender repeated. Germany Army on both fronts consolidated to more defendable positions. Sudden fall back has caught both Allied and Soviet Armies up prepared for rapid advance. Goring declares himself Fuhrer, and forms alliance with Himmler's SS.

July 23, 1944 - News of German Peace Offering leaks out in U.S., British newspapers. Protests begin, small at first over chance to end war in wake of Hitler's death. Lindbergh makes speech saying "Time to end Mr. Roosevelt's War in Europe, and concentrate against those who attacked Pearl Harbor." Surviving SS Units withdraw into Germany, but weakened after fighting.

July 24, 1944 - Beck Government's attempt at peace in West becomes known, causes split in German Army. Some units, especially those on Eastern Front side with Goring and Himmler. Fighting in Berlin between Beck forces, renegade Army Units backed by SS and Luftwaffe forces.

July 25, 1945 - Western Armies have liberated Paris, and reached the German border, but are unable to advance further due to logistical problems. German Forces on Easter Front have shortened then lines enough to hold off the quick Soviet offensive. Stalemate on both fronts. Churchill under pressure to make peace with new German government before it collapses. Lindbergh announces Third Party Presidential Run in order to bring the European War to an end.
 
German forces in the East on July 20th were in no position to carry out a serious disengagement; the Red Army had shattered army group center, and was rapidly advancing on the Vilnius-Kaunas and Riga axis. The Lublin-Brest and Sandomierz offensive had also smashed German forces in Poland and are in the verge of seizing multiple Vistula bridgeheads, along with cutting off the withdrawal of the remains of Army Group Center.

A sudden coup in such a desperate situation will cause numerous command and control problems, especially if a massive withdrawal is attempted. Many generals, such as Walther Model, will be outraged by what would in their minds amount to traitors seizing control.

It's likely the July 20th Plotters will be killed by the military, with a junta quickly taking control and continuing the war. Guderisn was in command of fires near Berlin, including tanks, which could have secured the city quite easily.
 
I don't think Lindbergh would've been a political player in 1944. His opposition to the war evaporated after Pearl Harbor. In fact, he asked that his commission as a Colonel in the Army Air Corps be reinstated (he resigned it the previous April), but FDR declined due to Lindbergh's previous anti-war activities. Not only that, but in the summer of 1944, Lindbergh was in the pacific with VMF-222 training them on how to get the most out of their Corsairs.
 
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