How realistic were von Papen's plans to invade Canada using “German cowboys” during the Great War?

Answered on the History Stack Exchange.

Starting in September 1914, Papen abused his diplomatic immunity (which he enjoyed as German military attaché) and US neutrality to start organising plans for an invasion of Canada, recruiting both German-Americans and Irish-Americans who were to wear a cowboy uniform of Papen's own design to seize Canada in order to force the UK to make peace with Germany on German terms. In a prelude to the invasion of Canada, Papen planned on sending men into Canada to sabotage the Welland Canal together with plans to blow up bridges and railroads all over Canada, thereby shutting down the Canadian economy and making it impossible for the Canadians to send troops to Europe.In his reports to Berlin, Papen stated that he gave a US man, a Mr. Bridgeman-Taylor, some $500 to buy explosives to blow up the Welland Canal.

Between that and the Zimmerman Telegraph, the Junkers in WWI were in some ways as nutty as the Nazis in WWII. A lot of the Nazis' alleged world domination schemes were just exaggerated rumors or Alfred Rosenberg or somebody scribbling into notebooks. The German Empire really did want to mess with the Entente on other continents. You can see how one reich led to another.
 
Now I can see both Canadian and US authorities learning of this plan and dismissing it in-between bouts of laughter.
 
The chances of that happening are slim to none, and the chances of it working are, well, even less. That doesn't mean that I don't want to live in a world where the German Empire put soldiers dressed as cowboys in Canada to bully the UK into surrender. I can imagine the kind of guys who would be doing that, and it would be wild. It'd be like Juan Pujol Garcia, a generation-ish earlier, and soldiers instead of a spy. "Yes we have an absolute military stranglehold on" *pauses to check smudged writing on hand* "Otto-wah? Schmdit, did I say that right?"
 
The chances of that happening are slim to none, and the chances of it working are, well, even less. That doesn't mean that I don't want to live in a world where the German Empire put soldiers dressed as cowboys in Canada to bully the UK into surrender. I can imagine the kind of guys who would be doing that, and it would be wild. It'd be like Juan Pujol Garcia, a generation-ish earlier, and soldiers instead of a spy. "Yes we have an absolute military stranglehold on" *pauses to check smudged writing on hand* "Otto-wah? Schmdit, did I say that right?"

I can imagine the "Cowboy" uniform would be the most stereotypical Hollywood thing ever. A massive pearl white ten gallon hat and rhinestoned chaps.
 
They roll up to Canada looking a little like this:
download.jpg

And the Canadians are standing around in confusion. There is no actual threat and they probably mutiny because the Canadians gave them food more often than the Army.
 
They roll up to Canada looking a little like this:
View attachment 526141
And the Canadians are standing around in confusion. There is no actual threat and they probably mutiny because the Canadians gave them food more often than the Army.

On the other hand if you mention the idea of conquering Canada they could probably get all of Wyoming on their side. Admittedly "All of Wyoming" consists of Dave Howery, three other dudes, and their harem of sheepwives.
 
On the other hand if you mention the idea of conquering Canada they could probably get all of Wyoming on their side. Admittedly "All of Wyoming" consists of Dave Howery, three other dudes, and their harem of sheepwives.
Frankly, Wyoming basically doesn't exist. That being said, they could probably take over an insignificant corner of Canada and set up shop there. In their bedazzled cowboy hats.
 

Ramontxo

Donor
So the German embassy planing to stage an armed invasion of Canada from neutral USA territory. Qui prodest? IMHO it comes near to the actual Zimmerman telegram as an excellent way of making the USA DOW Germany, thought both of this actions pale under the masterful success of Zimmerman himself acknowledgement of the telegram in the German Parliament when everyone on their side in America were denouncing it as a British fake.
I know the old rule of not blaming to malice what can be explained by stupidity but...
 
Answered on the History Stack Exchange.



Between that and the Zimmerman Telegraph, the Junkers in WWI were in some ways as nutty as the Nazis in WWII. A lot of the Nazis' alleged world domination schemes were just exaggerated rumors or Alfred Rosenberg or somebody scribbling into notebooks. The German Empire really did want to mess with the Entente on other continents. You can see how one reich led to another.

I can't believe I've finally found a plan where Operation Sealion is more plausible.
 
Frankly, Wyoming basically doesn't exist. That being said, they could probably take over an insignificant corner of Canada and set up shop there. In their bedazzled cowboy hats.

Well duh of course Wyoming doesn't really exist. Why in the sweet name of Sam Houston would anyone create such a pointless state.

I'm still imagining the "Cowboy" uniforms as looking like something from a gay cowboy porno.
 

Ian_W

Banned
We often see some pretty "special" plans for an Axis or Central Powers victory.

This plan is even more special.
 
Well duh of course Wyoming doesn't really exist. Why in the sweet name of Sam Houston would anyone create such a pointless state.

I'm still imagining the "Cowboy" uniforms as looking like something from a gay cowboy porno.
To be fair, I've been to Wyoming. Did not enjoy it. Would consider going back, if only to escape the zombie apocalypse. That being said, the hypothetical cowboys are definitely wearing assless chaps, ten gallon hats, and bolo ties with those plastic rhinestones from the dollar store on them. They're not doing so hot.
 
To be fair, I've been to Wyoming. Did not enjoy it. Would consider going back, if only to escape the zombie apocalypse. That being said, the hypothetical cowboys are definitely wearing assless chaps, ten gallon hats, and bolo ties with those plastic rhinestones from the dollar store on them. They're not doing so hot.

And to be "covert" they'll be speaking with an absurd Texas accent with an even heavier prussian accent. "Ja Howdy Ja'll."
 
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