I've had an idea in mind for a while now. At the very basics of it, Russia becomes an analogue to Nazi Germany, and Germany itself becomes an analogue to the Soviet Union. With butterflies harmed, WWII still happens from 1939 to 1945.
I've talked with a Polish friend of mine about it, and he claims it's impossible without a POD in the 18th century at the very latest. He says that Russia would have to be an industrial superpower, and that Germany would have to be, in his words, a retarded agrarian economy. He also says that Germany's location makes it impossible as well. In order to make it work, he says that for Russia, it needs to avoid succumbing to decadence so that the far-right can take hold, and that the Tsar needs to remain in power. He also says that a communist revolution would need to succeed in Germany.
It's gotten me thinking about whether I should keep the 1914 POD I originally wanted, or if I should go with a new POD in the 18th century. I'm probably going to go with a new 18th century POD, since it might allow me more creative freedom.
What do you think? Ignoring mass butterfly killing, how would an 18th century POD work for an alternate WWII that still happens between 1939 and 1945? Do you think I should go with an 18th century POD, or just stick with a 1914 POD?