How can we have a WW2 that ends like Korea?

CaliGuy

Banned
For one, having the U.S. somehow remain neutral in World War II might significantly help with this.
 
For one, having the U.S. somehow remain neutral in World War II might significantly help with this.
In 1933 FDR dies and in 1935 Huey Long survives. Lackluster performance by President Gardner result in a Long/Lindberg ticket winning in 1936. US neutrality and lack of financial support forces the UK to seek peace in 1940. Hitler assassinated in 1943-1944. A Brest-Litovsk lite traey is reached between the new German government and the USSR. Treaty with France cedes Alsace and Briey to Germany, Tunisia to Italy. Independence restored to Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark. Independent Poland, Baltic states and Ukraine under German protection.
 

Delta Force

Banned
With neither a total Nazi victory *shudders at the thought* or a total Allied victory?

Both World War II and the Korean War ended with massive devastation from strategic bombing, so it's really not that far off from an analogy. The difference is that the Korean War picked up with the highly developed strategic bombing aircraft and capabilities that it took until the end of World War II to develop.

World War II was a war of maneuver though, so it seems unlikely it could stalemate like that, at least not without some changes. If the German offensive stalls out along the Maginot Line maybe there could be a stalemate though.
 
If WW2 ends as 1940 did, that is with no involvement of Russia or America, then there might be an inconclusive end after a few years of war, when both sides have spent their best resources.
 
With neither a total Nazi victory *shudders at the thought* or a total Allied victory?

It would require the Allies to be less motivated.

The 'Unconditional Surrender' demand had solid logic behind it, given the perceptions of why they were fighting a Second World War at all. The belief at the time was, apparently, that German militarism - NOT Nazism - was the driving force behind their third invasion of France in 70 years, conquering Poland and going after Russia etc. That a long term peace in Europe DEMANDED that the Germans not only lose, but lose badly enough so that they would not just come back a quarter century later for the next round. No 'We were stabbed in the back' theory was to be credible this time.

A negotiated peace requires that the general public and the leadership of the allied nations not believe that such a peace would simply mean their children having to fight another war against Germany. That would be a hard sell, and have to address the thinking of the era, rather then the 'the Treaty of Versailles was too harsh' thinking I and a lot of other people were sold in High School.

Not having the SS respond to partisan activity by hanging whole Russian village populations from trees 'like bunches of grapes' would help too.

Take away that drive and at some point the casualties and costs of the war will lead to pressure for peace negotiations.
 
I think if Operation Pike was carried out and brought the Soviets to the Axis side (sort of), then I think there might be more need for the Allies to have a ceasefire, though it would require a couple battles throughout Eurasia for that to happen; may or may not require a US entry into the conflict along with Japan's as well.
 
Have the French/Belgium Campaign end in stalemate (French go for the Dyle plan and or have a more effective rearmament?) and the German Offensive runs out of steam by end of June as well as the Invasion of Norway being a failure with the loss of many of the assaulting ships and Fallschirmjäger units to an organised and stood up Norwegian army.

The Netherlands and Denmark both Fall pretty much as OTL

With both sides exhausted and incapable (and unwilling) of sustaining a full out offensive and with large numbers of AFVs knocked out on both sides a line of trenches and fortifications emerge from Switzerland to the Belgium coast.

A subsequent tit for tat blitz on the French, British and German cities does not bring about the expected collapse of moral and the Uboat's while initially enjoying a 'happy time' from May 40 - to Feb 41 suddenly start to incur greater losses and the losses in allied shipping tonnage goes down as the Allied navy's get a handle on the U-boat threat.

With the death of Hitler in an air crash in Dec 41 and the short but bloody series of coups that was followed by the new German military leadership coupled with the Soviet civil war that started after the death of Stalin in 1942

Italy makes the only winning move and does not take part although it constantly appears to be on the verge of joining one side or the other forcing Britain and France as well as German to keep forces assigned just in case they jump one way or the other

The USA stays Neutral (in favour of the 2nd Entente)

From late 42 it now clear that no side has the advantage and a series of talks in Switzerland ends with an effective Armistice - and this holds

Japan not able to take advantage of the distraction that is the 2nd Great War like it did OTL (ie seizing FIC) continues its war in China but does invade the USSR in 43 with mixed fortunes and heavier than expected losses

France reinforces the Maginot line and extends it through to the Channel as well as building up defences in what is left of Belgium (Later West Belgium)

Germany does the same with the Hindenburg line and by 1945 it is clear that the depth of these fortifications and the respective air forces make it very unlikely that either side can successfully attack the other.
 
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