Peace with Britain in 1940: An alternate world war 2

Part 2: Stalin Shot First
  • Fall 1940:
    In light of the hurried German mobilization for Operation Barbarossa, Stalin has two options. Either wait for the Germans to make the first move, or launch a preemptive strike. Stalin's mentality and attitude towards this situation makes the choice obvious for him. Stalin issues Soviet Order 136 or Operation Icebreaker: To immediately plan an invasion of Germany starting December. Stalin reasons that "The Germans must be attacked before they can fully prepare their own. Why sit there and wait and watch the Germans amass troops when we can attack them first?". This order shocks the generals in the Stavka, in particular General Zhukov who unlike the rest of his fellow Yes-man Generals objects to Stalin "Are you crazy? Let them attack first and then let us launch our own counterattacks!". Stalin refuses the advice and responds coldly "Comrade Zhukov, will you follow my orders or not?". After hearing this Zhukov relents. He is not dumb to dare defy Stalin's orders. If he did, he would most likely be dismissed, and perhaps even exiled or shot. Then the Red Army would be in the hands of Yes-man generals with little experience, and would most likely doom the war effort. He hopes he can somehow defy all problems and make this offensive work, but in his mind he knows it will fail. Soviet troops during 1940 also occupy the Baltic states and Bessarabia (Bessarabia was not in the MRP but Hitler is in no position to challenge the order. In response, German troops with consent from Romania enter and take positions. The Vienna Awards sees Northern Transylvania given to Hungray and southern Dobruja occupied by Bulgaria. All 3 join the Axis and pledge to help in any war with the Soviets. Important to note is that without a British Coup (With Britain out of the war) Yugoslavia remains loyal to the Axis.

    Hitler and the OKH meet in the Wolf's Lair to determine the order of Operations. With the Balkans allied with Germany there would be more possibilities to find weaknesses and execute a breakthrough to encircle the numerous but highly disorganized and poorly coordinated and equipped Red Army. Hitler boasts that "A simple kick to the door and the rest of the rotten house will fall down". Operations are set to begin on May 7th, 1941. Heinz Guderian leads Army Group center, Erich Von Manstein leads Army Group North (both were promoted more than IOTL due to the successful capture of Dunkirk and the elimination of 90% of the BEF) and Gerd Von Rundstedt. Manstein warns Hitler that Stalin may attack "any day" to take advantage of the incomplete buildup of Wehrmacht troops devoted to the offensive. In light of Soviet mobilization he argues to "Let the Soviets come first". He would delay the attack and bleed the Soviets, and then execute a backhand blow (much like the Third Battle of Kharkov) to encircle and destroy the attacking force. Hitler rejects it fully, but little do they know that Stalin will soon solve the problem between them two.

    On December 1st the roar of Soviet tanks and planes accompanies the 3 million+ Red Army soldiers as they engage the Wehrmacht. While the Wehrmacht is prepared and capable of defending, they were caught by surprise and were forced to retreat. Hitler refuses to believe the attack, but eventually comes to senses. Hitler reluctantly accepts Manstein's plan even with his reluctance to give ground. He hopes to recreate the Battle of Tannenburg of World War 1 on a much larger scale. The unpreparedness Zhukov feared soon showed, and he urgently calls Stalin for a withdrawal of troops before they are encircled and destroyed. But Stalin refuses. This refusal seals the fate of the Red Army. On December 21st the advances stall after the Soviets advance 50 miles west and appear to have gained a tactical victory, but Soviet supplies are at a breaking point. Even worse, the German lines have regrouped and are more than intact. The superior Luftwaffe has driven the Soviet Air Force out of the skies. The Germans are poised for a counteroffensive. On December 16th, Operation Winter Storm is executed as the Wehrmacht performs well coordinated counterattacks on the Soviet flanks. Not even Zhukov can prevent the impending disaster. Zhukov decides takes a gamble, in a last ditch attempt he orders a tactical retreat on many fronts. He knows that this defiance of Stalin's orders will cost him his command and potentially his life, but he hopes by doing this the Red Army could live to fight another day. The tactical retreat is highly disorganized as German Panzers smash through the overstretched soviet positions and completely sever supply lines. Over 2 million soldiers are encircled in numerous pockets. Starvation and hopelessness compels 2 million troops to surrender in a defeat unparalleled in history (This is NOT the patriotic Red Army fighting for survival IOTL)

    Manstein proclaims to Hitler "A Christmas gift for you, mein fuhrer! Two million Soviet prisoners!" The victory is celebrated over Germany as a product of "Hitler's Genius" but is in reality a credit to the highly skilled General staff that compose the OKH and the Wehrmacht. Stalin breaks down soon after news of the surrender and the disastrous defeat. He retreats to his Dacha outside Moscow in a state of despair. This is further compounded when Japan, convinced of Soviet weakness and unwilling to expand south(Due to free trade with Britain) along with desire for northern expansion and revenge for the border wars cause Hirohito launches offensives into Siberia. Now the Soviets face a two-front war against highly determined enemies. Zhukov and the majority of the generals involved in the offensive (including Rokossovsky) are tried. Georgy Zhukov is sentenced to death (mainly for ordering a retreat against Stalin's orders) while Rokossovsky is stripped of command and forced into exile. This further deprives the Red Army of competent Generals

    Hitler is now planning the main attack to conquer the Soviet Union. The failure of the offensive has left gaping holes in the Red Army. Even worse, many divisions are tied to the far east with the entry of Japan into the war. Who will win?
     
    Last edited:
    Top