Return of the Tsar

Xen

Banned
It is July 2, 1941, news of Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union has thus far been promising, the Soviet resistance proved to be no match for the German war machine. This day however, Germany would receive shocking, some would say horrible news, the Fuhrer, Adolph Hitler was discovered dead in his bed of an apparent aneurism. Shortly after this gruesome discovery, Goring is able to present himself as the next iron man of Germany, something that neither Goebbels and Himmler are very keen on, but for now they both bide their time.

Unlike OTL where the German’s treated the Russian’s horribly, Goring had a different plan for Russia. Goring was a Wilhelmine Imperialists, wanting to restore Germany’s borders to pre-1914, and regain the pre-Great War overseas Empire, which set him apart from Hitler and Himmler who wanted living space for the German people. Russian and Ukrainian citizens were treated as fair as to be expected during times of war, and were enlisted to help the Reich by exposing Bolsheviks, Jews and other so called undesirables to local commands. Shortly before the Battle of Moscow commenced, Goring enlisted the aide of Grand Duke Boris Vladimirovich, the grandson of Tsar Alexander II and cousin to Tsar Nicholas II. In a ceremony in Kiev, Grand Duke Boris was crowned Tsar Boris I of the Second Russian Empire, captured Russian soldiers were given the option of swearing an allegiance to the new Tsar, in what Goring and Boris called the war of liberation. Germany was now presenting itself as liberators of Russia from the Godless, brutal, and oppressive Stalinist Bolshevik regime.

The tactics of the Wehrmacht changed in Russia, after the fall of Kiev, the German army was given two priority targets, Leningrad and Moscow, the fate of these two cities could mean the war, and Goring was determined not to fail. With their new objectives, the Wehrmacht was able to reach Moscow in late September, before the Soviet defenses were completed. Paranoid as ever Stalin assumed command of the Red Army personally, no soldier or officer was allowed to do anything without his approval. Meanwhile, the rest of the politburo had escaped to the city of Kuybyshev to continue the fight in case the German’s were able to take the city. Stalin’s paranoia caused many officers and troops to desert and join the ranks of the Tsar’s Liberation Army, further weakening the defenses of Moscow. When the battle was joined, the German’s advanced into the city after a month long siege, and proclaimed victory over the Bolshevik’s. Stalin himself was killed in an attempt to flee the city ahead of the approaching German’s.

News reached Leningrad and Kuybyshev of Stalin’s death, and the near annihilation of the defenders of Moscow. Molotov believed himself to be Stalin’s true successor, a claim challenged by others in the Politburo, and the Soviet government was further paralyzed by infighting. The one thing the Politburo could however agree on is to retreat out of the reach of the Wehrmacht, the Soviet capital was relocated to Novosibirsk in Siberia.
News of Stalin’s death, Moscow’s fall and the apparent cowardice of the Politburo shook the Red Army to its core, where as hundreds of thousands swore an allegiance to defend Mother Russia from the invading army, others deserted or joined the Liberation Army. Leningrad fell into Civil War between those remained opposed to the Nazi’s and their puppet Tsar, and those who believed the Tsar a better alternative to the Stalinists. The Tsarists eventually gained the support of the Finnish Army, and the Wehrmacht, ending the conflict in Leningrad, which was promptly rechristened Petrograd by the victorious Tsar Boris I. The second Empire moved its capital from Kiev to Petrograd, with Boris I taking up residence in the Winter Palace.

On December 7, 1941 the war truly became global when the Empire of Japan launched a surprise attack on the US Naval base at Pearl Harbor. Goring however realized the last thing Germany needed right now was a war with the United States, there was still plenty of fight left in Great Britain, and the remnants of the Red Army near the Volga were still more than a threat. Instead of foolishly declaring war on the US, Goring condemned Japan’s attack as cowardly and unprovoked, and offered Germany’s assistance to the United States in searching for survivors amidst the wreckage, an offer promptly refused by President Roosevelt.

Goring turned his focus to new allies in Europe, in particularly Spain, France and Turkey, surely these nations would have to rally to his cause, what force could possibly stand up to Germany with these nations at their side, and all three had much to gain. Francisco Franco who had been reluctant to join the German’s in their war effort began changing his tune when the German Army conquered Leningrad, Turkey was having the idea of a Pan-Turkish Empire tossed in its direction, and France could keep its Empire, its pride and dignity, however the old fool Petain was stubbornly clinging to French neutrality. If these nations were to join his cause then Britain would have to capitulate and accept Germany’s terms.

Winston Churchill hoped to twist Roosevelt’s arm to have the US President declare war on Germany. Roosevelt sympathized greatly with Churchill and the United Kingdom’s fight for freedom, but had already tested those waters and knew he could not get approval for a pre-emptive declaration of war while the country was still reeling from Pearl Harbor. The US vowed to continue its friendship and lend-lease support for Great Britain, and its allies in exile.

As spring of 1942 approached, Britain continued to fight on, and for the most part alone, the Campaign in North Africa became much more complicated when Spain declared war on Britain in May. The United Kingdom responded with an invasion of Morocco to keep the Gibraltar Straights open. Royal Marines quickly occupied the Canary Islands and the Royal Navy had encircled the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean. Whispers began circulating in London of the possibility of an armistice with Germany, and the return of Germany’s African colonies. However these were offset when, after months of making promises, begging, black mailing and bribing, Franklin Roosevelt managed to convince Congress to issue a declaration of war against Germany in June of 1942. After years of fighting alone, the United Kingdom finally had a powerful foreign ally, capable of turning the tide of the war. However, Congress would only approve the war with Germany if priority was given to the Pacific War against Japan.

During the spring of 1942, the United States had thrust its entire economical, military, and industrial prowess at the Empire of Japan. The US military now numbered well more than 1,000,000 strong and was constantly growing, however green they proved to be in the field of battle. The United States defeated Japan in a much needed victory at the Battle of Midway, boosting morale at home and in the military, making way for Congress to approve the war against Germany.

American troops began arriving in North Africa and Great Britain in late July and by the years end would make a large impact in the war against Germany. The United States entry in the war however proved to be the undoing of Hermann Goring, Heinrich Himmler and Joseph Goebbels both accused Goring of failing to finish off Britain, and for betraying the ideals and reason in which Germany had set in going to war with the Soviet Union to begin with. Goring was arrested on trumped up charges of conspiracy of betraying the fatherland, incompetence and willingness to lead Germany to ruin for personal gain and ambition by the SS, he was tried for treason and executed in a military court martial that lasted less than a week. Himmler used his SS connections to claim the role of Fuhrer for himself, and claimed to be leading Germany to the vision that Hitler had originally planned for it.

With the near annihilation of the Red Army remnants at Stalingrad in July 1942, British Special Forces parachuted into the Caucasus oil fields, setting them ablaze to prevent the oil from being used by Germany. An outraged Himmler then demanded Turkey allow him access through its territory to attack Iraq. Turkey, which had months earlier balked at the idea of joining Germany as an ally refused the demand, Himmler promptly declared war with German and Bulgarian forces invading Thrace and capturing the Byzantine and Ottoman capital of Istanbul without much of a fight. Germany then crossed the Straights into Anatolia with plans of sacking Ankara, and setting up a puppet regime not dissimilar from the one in France. By November, Ankara was under German occupation, and a National Republic, friendly to the Third Reich replaced the Kemalist Republic.

Turkish and German troops began an invasion of Northern Iraq, drawing vital troops the British needed to emerge victorious from North Africa to the Middle East, and threatening the British occupation of Iran. Many American’s began questioning the wisdom of Roosevelt to enter the campaign against Germany when the war was so obviously lost. In the November elections, the GOP won control of the Senate, and narrowly missed winning the House of Representatives as well. American’s were becoming more vocal in their protests against the war with Germany, while the nation was fighting Japan, a nation that actually attacked first.

As 1943 loomed ahead, the allies appeared to be hanging on by a thread against the seemingly unstoppable forces of Nazi Germany and its allies. In the Pacific things looked more promising, the United States had began a successful island hopping campaign, and was steadily driving the Japanese back to the home islands.



*********************Authors Note***************************

We can debate of whom Hitler’s heir to Germany would have been if something were to happen, some would argue Himmler, others Goebbels, and others would say Goring. For the sake of the timeline let’s say Goring wins the power struggle, at least at first.

I also know there are going to be those who scream ASB, and will try to point out every single little flaw or anything they see that makes the TL unlikely. These people are morons. Okay does any of us here know for sure what would happen? How people react to something one day does not mean they will react that way another day. It is also the fact we are here to tell stories, something to entertain ourselves with, and to entertain others. Even the greatest stories, movies and drama's have its mistakes, and its unlikely events, but still we accept them because they are fun, and remember because something is unlikely (like say 13 colonies defeating the mightiest empire on earth to be given its independence only to become the next Superpower in a short 170 years) doesn't mean it is ASB. Some people seem to think everything is ASB unless they write it because in their mind they are the know all end all authority on alternate history. Well if these people like ASB so much let them go there and wait.

Other than that enjoy! Comments are welcome, and if you must criticize do so in a constructive manner. ASB comments will be ignored.
 
Great lets see more

I like it. The Germans were so stupid not to make use of Anti Soviet feelings. A returned Tsar would be a potent symbol to rally around I would picture more defections like Vlasov. Turkey would probably come on board then, with Ataturk gone. I have a suggestion.
I don;t think the mighty Army, wants to be errand boys for the SS.
I think there would be more conflict if the Fat one is slaughterd.
I might try to restore the SA, to fight the black shirts.
Hope youll write more
 
The Fuehrer's found dead on July 2, 1941? I'd assume Hermann Goering would advance his claim to power as Hitler had declared in his speech of September 1, 1939, as well as a written decree dating from or around the opening of the war against the USSR. How others like Bormann, Goebbels, and Himmler would take it, I don't know, but I don't think Goering's power and prestige was diminished enough for them to readily contest it.
 
Looking good. One nitpick. I'd rather have Goebbels in power instead of Himmler. He was a very cold, calculating and intelligent person. He looked at the short term and what was best for him but was intelligent enough to see the long term. Either him or Heydrich who was similarly cold, intelligent and ruthless. Himmler was just plain mad, like Hitler.
 
makes sense

For all Goering's faults, he was mainly known for being a terrible air marshal. But he had all the qualities of a good politician being very charismatic and having a lot of pull with the upper class.

How much actual power he would have had isn't so certain as he was a drug abuser and hedonist. I would see him as a puppet leader with Goring and Goebels running the show from the shadows or him being easily manipulated by other members of the government.
 
I like the TL, it doesn't seem too ASBish (although I would say that with Stalin dead and semi-collapse of Soviet system, 1942 battle should be well East of Stalingrad), but Leningrad would be renamed Saint Petersburg (it was christened Petrograd during WWI, as original name sounded too Germanic).
 
For all Goering's faults, he was mainly known for being a terrible air marshal. But he had all the qualities of a good politician being very charismatic and having a lot of pull with the upper class.

How much actual power he would have had isn't so certain as he was a drug abuser and hedonist. I would see him as a puppet leader with Goring and Goebels running the show from the shadows or him being easily manipulated by other members of the government.

Goering was in command of the economic four year plans - that's what did for him at Nuremburg that he had knowingly used and planned slave labour

His power diminished as the war went on, mainly because he withdrew direct participation and let others run things. He would surface from time to time to use his latent power, usually to scupper a good idea as part of a powerplay or power struggle

Best Regards
Grey Wolf
 
Lonnie, good work ! A lot of good research in here :)

Goring turned his focus to new allies in Europe, in particularly Spain, France and Turkey, surely these nations would have to rally to his cause, what force could possibly stand up to Germany with these nations at their side, and all three had much to gain. Francisco Franco who had been reluctant to join the German’s in their war effort began changing his tune when the German Army conquered Leningrad, Turkey was having the idea of a Pan-Turkish Empire tossed in its direction, and France could keep its Empire, its pride and dignity, however the old fool Petain was stubbornly clinging to French neutrality. If these nations were to join his cause then Britain would have to capitulate and accept Germany’s terms.

I like it - too many people ignore the possibility of France joining the Axis which was very real, and was as much stopped by Hitler's view of things as by French feeling. With Hitler out of the way, Goering's different view of international politics would certainly encompass this

Best Regards
Grey Wolf
 
Agreed looking good, lets see some more.

Does this new Tsar fully support Germany or would he break away if he could?
 

Xen

Banned
Agreed looking good, lets see some more.

Does this new Tsar fully support Germany or would he break away if he could?

Boris will be a supporter of Nazi Germany. In OTL he was very anti-British and even earned the reprimand of Tsar Nikolai II for comments made to a British ambassador.

Interesting tidbit, Boris' mother was very ambitious and wanted her son to marry Grand Duchess Olga (the eldest daughter of Nikolai II), but due to his reputation as a playboy and womanizer, Olga's parents did not approve of the marriage, and it never happened obviously.

I may rework things in the timeline a little, we will see. I wonder if anyone will mind if I work it in where Olga does marry Boris and has a couple of children with him?
 
I recomend Icon by Frederik Forsythe whenever the return of the Tsar come up. It's adecent book, not as good as his best (the Jackal, Dogs of War, Forth Protocol, The devils alternative) but good.
 
I can't see why Germany is attacking thru Turkey in order to get to Iraq. In fact, I can't see why they just don't throw whatever they have at Suez in a hopes of knocking the British out that way. I think the Turks would stop the German war machine in central Anatolia.
 
Hahaha This is quality, ITTL the Germans collapsed the Tsarist regime using Lenin, and then collapsed the Soviet Regime using the Tsar. Talk about taking the piss.
 
I may rework things in the timeline a little, we will see. I wonder if anyone will mind if I work it in where Olga does marry Boris and has a couple of children with him?

The problem is that would need to be the POD since it pre-dates everything else by a good 25 years or so. Olga was killed at Ekaterinburg, so having her survive would throw giant wrenches into the post-WW1 Romanov exiled political scene

Probably better to find someone else suitable for Boris to marry. After all, he can make good his claim from legal arguments preventing many of his other relatives succeeding, and from the indisputible right of conquest/victory

Best Regards
Grey Wolf
 
Problems with Boris Vladimirovitch - he wasn't the principal heir to the throne (his nephew Vladimir Kyrillovitch was). Throughout his exile from Russia he wasn't particularly political (unlike his brother Kyril) and didn't appear to express any great political desires. Boris had indeed offered to marry his cousin Grand Duchess Olga during the first world war around 1916 - but the Empress Alexandra was appalled given Boris' rather poor reputation and history of immoral behaviour - if any marriage for Olga was likely then Alexandra was more likely to favour Grand Duke Dimitri before 1916 and the murder of Rasputin as a husband for Olga (Dimitri was closer to her age and was next in line to the throne after Michael and the Vladimirovichi). Boris was also very happily married to his mistress Princess Krasinsky in 1919 by whom he'd had one son. Also one major problem is Grand Duke Boris died at 65 in 1943 with no legitimate (according to Romanov House Laws) heir.
 
Problems with Boris Vladimirovitch - he wasn't the principal heir to the throne (his nephew Vladimir Kyrillovitch was). Throughout his exile from Russia he wasn't particularly political (unlike his brother Kyril) and didn't appear to express any great political desires. Boris had indeed offered to marry his cousin Grand Duchess Olga during the first world war around 1916 - but the Empress Alexandra was appalled given Boris' rather poor reputation and history of immoral behaviour - if any marriage for Olga was likely then Alexandra was more likely to favour Grand Duke Dimitri before 1916 and the murder of Rasputin as a husband for Olga (Dimitri was closer to her age and was next in line to the throne after Michael and the Vladimirovichi). Boris was also very happily married to his mistress Princess Krasinsky in 1919 by whom he'd had one son. Also one major problem is Grand Duke Boris died at 65 in 1943 with no legitimate (according to Romanov House Laws) heir.

Yeah, but Boris can say Vlad is not the legitimate claimant by using the argument that the strict succession law would have barred his father, Kyril

Also, it is far more likely IMHO that a lesser claimant would be willing to play along with the Germans, than would the main accepted claimant. As far as the majority of Russians are concerned, a restored Romanov is what counts, not his exact identity and claim to the throne

Best Regards
Grey Wolf
 
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