Part 1: Peace of our time?
ITTL, Lord Halifax becomes prime minister instead of Churchill after the Fall of France. This is because at Dunkirk the halt order is never given and 90% of the BEF is captured or killed. Lord Halifaximmediately offers Germany a "Peace with honor". Hitler is elated upon hearing this and reportly exclaims "I have the world in my Pocket!"
As Hitler requested, the armistice takes place at the Somme where Hitler was wounded in World War 1.
Hitler and Mussolini assure Britain that the peace would be "Amicable"
Armistice at the Somme:
Hitler's demands are simple, he wants only minor territorial concessions to ensure German dominance and to woo the British into not interfering with further German ventures. This greatly conflicts with Mussolini and Hirohito who want large territorial concessions.
-German hegemony over Europe is recognized by the British, including a French puppet state
-Britain keeps all of France's colonies,
But must give French Djibouti, British Somalia, French Tunisia, and Malta. -
-Demilitarization of the Suez Canal.
-No German occupation or reparation payments, but Iceland and the Faroe Islands are returned to the Danish puppet states (Hitler wants to ensure the British don't interfere with his plans)
-All German reparation payments are nullified. Free trade with the Axis Powers.
-All POWs are exchanged to their respective nations. Oswald Mosley and his party are legalized.
The British public wary of war agrees, Churchill calls the peace an "utter disgrace" but lacks influence to prevent its passage in Parliament.
Stalin is incredibly horrified at these events. Against objections, he orders the mobilization of the Soviets and orders Zhukov and other High Commanders to prepare for an attack by June 1st of 1941.
Hitler is not blind to this, he too orders a mass buildup of troops. Haunted by Napoleon's failures, he orders the Wehrmacht to be mechanized "as much as possible" by the time of the invasion.
With an intact Luftwaffe and the entire might of the Wehrmacht at Hitler's disposal, could Operation Barbarossa succeed? Or will Stalin's awareness save his country from defeat? Who will fire the first shot?
Please give constructive feedback and advice. IMHO this TL would lead to Axis Triumph, but your thoughts are appreciated.