The Red Enigma: An alternate history of the Soviet Union

Any chance the Red Enigma could be Yuri Andropov? With a lot of Stalin's old inner circle gone, a young up & comer like him could be in with a chance at taking power. Plus he was somthing of an enigma OTL as head of the KGB...

Also has WW2 happened in TTL? I noticed the name ''Fascist Italy'' in there. Also the words ''Japanese Federation'', reminds me of the term ''Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere''.:eek:
 
Any chance the Red Enigma could be Yuri Andropov? With a lot of Stalin's old inner circle gone, a young up & comer like him could be in with a chance at taking power. Plus he was somthing of an enigma OTL as head of the KGB...

Also has WW2 happened in TTL? I noticed the name ''Fascist Italy'' in there. Also the words ''Japanese Federation'', reminds me of the term ''Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere''.:eek:

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, no jumping the gun yet:D;). We haven't even had Stalin's funeral yet.

I'm just having some fun with you Urban Fox. I thank you for your interest in my story. But I cannot give any hints yet.

Has WWII happened? Yep,....give me a few days from today (busy with work) and I will explain the....POD(s) and details of this TL. But yes, WWII has happened.....and......I shouldn't tell you this.....in this version of 1957, Il Duce is the aging and popular leader of a Fascist Italy that has not only remained out of WWII....but is fantastically wealthy due to its possession of the oil & gas fields in Libya. Millions of Italians have been migrating to Libya since 1948 just after the discovery of oil in Libya. Since 1951 or so, tens of thousands of "guest workers" from the Middle East have been coming to Libya to do heavy construction work in Libya.

"Japanese Federation". First congratulations for reading so closely. It would take me a loooong time to explain now what has happened with Japan. Suffice to say, we (US) did drop two bombs on them to end the war yet, as in OTL , (in my opinion that is), they still "won" the war even though they surrendered and above all, they win the "Peace",....big time.

I will be posting more (back on page 1) to complete the conversation between Cronkite & Pyle so go back and re-read what I have added.

Thanks for reading and having good questions Urban Fox, Joho :)
 
Since I am here at a computer & have some time, I will explain to those who are interested in this my latest TL, "Red Enigma". The World of R.E. is a continuation of my pre-1900 TL: "Rubber, Revolutionaries, Republicans, and a Young man named Bonaparte, oh my.", to now be called here for my ease of writing; "R3." What I mean is that the basis of R.E. comes from the way that I changed the world in R3.

I am not going to be rude and impolite to anyone to say to them, if you want to know how and why _______ happened, go and read the entire length of "R3". I would not be that rude or crass to anyone who was nice enough to read my stories. However, there are specific pages that I may mention that have map(s) that may give you a better understanding of how the World is different from OTL.

The Russian Revolution still occurs as it did in OTL.

Colonization of Africa/Scramble for Africa is a bit different. I believe that on the bottom of page 36 of "R3", there is a map of Africa that adheres to the new differences from OTL.

In TTL, the Hawaiian Islands belong to Britain, not the US. The US only has Midway and nearby Kure Island,...that's it.

Will/do the Japanese attack the US Fleet? Yes. Our major naval base, our Gibraltar in the Pacific is at Midway.

As for Guam, Wake.....The Japanese get Wake in the early 1880's.

Also,....there was no Spanish-American War, why? In this TL, 1887-89 the Spanish-Japanese War prevented the US from acquiring the Philippines.
The Philippines are Japanese territory as are the Marianas including Guam.

The Palau Group, Carolines, Marshalls are German until WWI when the Japanese seize them and prevent the Australians (who are an independent Republic as of 1901) from getting there first.

2 B continued......

Continuation now follows;

EXPLANATION OF TTL

Japan defeats Spanish in a naval battle and effectively has won the war since Spain cannot send another squadron to combat the Japanese. (It will later be revealed, [years later] that the British had warned the Japanese via telegraph when the Spanish had steamed past Singapore thus alerting the Japanese to the presence and size of the Spanish Fleet.)

The Japanese invade the Philippines and eventually defeat the Spanish defenders as well as the loyalist Filipinos.
The Spanish, trying to make the best of a bad situation sell parts of the Philippines and other Pacific territories to the Germans before the Japanese can occupy them first.

After the war is over, Germany & Japan go to arbitration with Sweden. The Swedes award the Philippine islands sold to Germany by Spain to Japan. The Marianas Islands including Guam are, however, awarded to Japan. The Carolines, and Palau Group are kept by Germany. The island of Mindanao is a special case. Since there are German troops on Mindanao in large numbers and not as many Japanese troops yet, the Swedes award the western third of Mindanao to Germany along with all of the small islands around the western portion of Mindanao. The Japanese also pay a small token to the Germans.

In the 2nd Sino-Japanese War, TTL, 1890-1894, Japan will conquer and annex Korea. Later, during the later portion of the Sino-Japanese War, the Japanese will invade, subdue, and annex, Manchuria. They will rename it, Manchukuo. They will have this from 1895 onwards.

As for Taiwan, in TTL, they have had “Takasago Koku ” {the Japanese name for Taiwan} since the late 1870’s.
Japan is much stronger than in OTL as a consequence.

Russo-Japanese War: Japan wins again and gains the lands east and south of the Amur River. The Russians keep Vladivostok and the surrounding areas roughly the size of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts combined. So, this Russian enclave is now surrounded (after 1905) by Japanese territory.

During the Russian Revolution, this area does not rebel. It stays loyal to the Czarist Regime. In 1920-21, a group of thugs take over and rename the area “The Primorsky Republic” its’ capital is Vladivostok. It is a fascist type state, similar to either: Poland, Finland, or Hungary circa OTL 1939. It is recognized by numerous countries including the US, Britain, Japan, etc. Its’ demise comes in October of 1946 when, after the separate peace between Stalin and Japan, the Red Army rolls right in and annexes the country. Needless to say as late as (TTL) September of 1946, the Pacific War has not ended yet. A tired Soviet Union, once it can get Japan to agree to relinquish and return the lands that Russia lost after the Russo-Japanese War, is more than willing to “call it a war” , and end the struggle. In this TL, Germany surrenders in 1945 as per OTL.

A tougher Japan, has some naval victories against the US Navy as well as the Australian Navy that push the date of surrender back by about a year. Without bases in the Marianas, atomic bombs or not, we have no way to send the B-26’s to hit Japan. In TTL, our planes will take off from the Philippines after a brutal fight on the islands in that archipelago. Japan gets bombed twice (again) in October of ’46. They agree to surrender on October 23rd. Ceremony takes place on the U.S.S. New Jersey (the U.S.S. Missouri is at the bottom of the Pacific and is………unavailable) in Tokyo Bay on November 2nd, 1946. However,……the Japanese military and civilian population in the Philippines refuse to surrender. We end up having a massive guerilla campaign from March ’47 until Spring of ’52. We rule the day, they rule the night. We are the victims of mortar attacks, indiscriminate bombings, and worst of all, the symbol of Japanese/Filipino resistance……the use of crossbows. Finally a political solution is made, we agree to evacuate the Philippines. Last DC-10 leaves the Philippines on September 11th, 1952. We’re gone. The Filipinos are as loyal to the Emperor and Japan as the Filipinos were loyal to us in OTL. The difference is that the Filipinos want to remain a part of and in communion with the Emperor.

Machukuo: Japanese since 1895, ethnic Japanese civilians are 78% of the pop of Manchukuo. Soviets never overran the country. In TTL, Japan not only develops radar, they also have a very high quality anti-tank gun which will blunt any Soviet motorized advance. Also gives our Marines more trouble when landing on beaches. Japanese Air Force has 2600-2800 more fighter aircraft than in OTL. Japanese Navy has approx. 85-100 additional submarines, 2-3 more carriers, 2-3 more battleships, 7-10 more heavy cruisers, and approx. 35-40 more lighter combat ships. Also, U.S. cannot break the Japanese codes during the course of the war. In this version of WWII, the Japanese also capture Australian bases in the Solomons where the Australians have developed a secret {not nuclear nor chemical} weapon system that will greatly help the Japanese in combating the US. The Australians will not tell the US about the system until after the war is over since only the top branches of the Australian Navy even know of its existence.

During Soviet invasion in 1945-46, Japanese plan to destroy earthen dams built in early 20th century. In June of ’46, a series of earthen dams are destroyed, and the flood waters obliterate four Soviet mechanized divisions, two Armored Divisions and thousands of artillery and above all trucks. Goes a long way to making Stalin realize that he cannot conquer and annex the prize of NE Asia: Manchuria. Manchuria remains Japanese. Upon surrender to Western Allies, Manchukuo is occupied by US forces, no resistance.

In 1950, after finally understanding how American’s think, the Japanese leadership in Manchuria sets up a democratic gov’t. This makes the US smile. In 1953, Chiang Kai-Shek calls for help in fighting Mao. Pres. Eisenhower is reluctant but gives into the Joint Chiefs. US forces in Japan itself, Korea, and Manchuria are sent to help Chiang. Behind the scenes, Japan lets Mao (who occupies China north of the Yellow River to the Great Wall, the boundary with Manchukuo) know that they will not move. Mao also knows that the US forces in Manchukuo will not attack from Manchukuo.

In May of 1954, the Republic of Manchukuo joins the U.N. We pull out of Manchuria and Korea by late 1954 to go help Chiang. Korea, (Chosen) chooses to reunite with Japan. In late 1955, the people of the Republic of Manchukuo vote in favor of re-establishing communion with the Emperor. Ike throws up his hands in frustration. Chiang’s Kuomintang Army is at it again by not fighting while we are doing all of the fighting against Mao. We pull last troops out of the Republic of China by September of 1956. Ike says good riddance to Manchuria and Chiang. Manchuria retires, permanently, from the U.N. The Philippines vote to rejoin Japan. The Japanese apologize to the U.S. but there is nothing that they nor we can do about it since the people of Manchuria and Korea have voted…have voted, just like you’re supposed to do in a democracy, to rejoin Japan. The Japanese smile and say: So sorry. Ha, ha, ha! Round eye! You ruze! We win! Ha, ha! You stupid..….and faaat too! Also Dumb! Ha, ha, ha!

In May of ’57, the “Japanese Federation” is proclaimed. So, Japan has lost the war, kept the Emperor, returned Russian territory, kept all of Sakhalin Island & the Kuriles, as per the deal with a tired Soviet Union, and…gets all of its’ territories back by the ballot box instead of by the bullet…..and……has…..won…..the…..Peace.

Germany: One big change, VI Army escapes from Stalingrad. 185,000+ men escape to serve the Führer another day. However, these nearly 200,000 men have lost all of their equipment. To re-equip them with everything from boots to helmets and everything in between puts a tremendous strain on Germany. The Germans fight a protracted fighting defense against the Soviet Union. Long story short, when the war ends in Europe in June of 1945, Americans are in Berlin, Breslau, Prague, Vienna, Buda (but not Pest), Stettin, and Posen (Poznan). On V-E Day, the Soviets are in Lodz, Poland but no further. Two weeks later, Soviet and US forces meet in Western Poland. Germany is never divided. East Pomerania and Prussia are awarded to Poland. Silesia remains German. The divided country in Europe? Hungary. There is a: West Hungary, capital, Buda. East Hungary {The Democratic Republic of Hungary} capital, Pest. Becomes the setting of the Cold War dramas.

How did this happen? Stalin, who unlike in OTL was risk adverse outside of the Soviet Union, decided to gamble. He threw snake eyes twice. 1st mistake, in late Summer of ’44 he tries to “Liberate” Greece, a neutral throughout the War in TTL. As his mech. columns try to advance through the narrow mountain roads from Bulgaria to Greece, all of a sudden, hundreds of “Greek” Spitfires and Hurricanes attack his columns. The air attack by the “Greeks” (I say, good show there old man; rather smashing of us wasn't it? What?) ends the Soviet invasion into Greece.

Stalin’s 2nd mistake in TTL. In October of ’44, he orders several divisions to go and assist the Communists in Yugoslavia. Problem. The Yugoslav Reds (led by Tito), are anti-Soviet. The Reds who are pro-Soviet have already been defeated by Tito’s forces before the Soviets arrive. When the Soviets arrive in Belgrade, they are surrounded in the hills by Tito’s armies and they are not welcome. Over 150,000 Soviets are trapped in Yugoslavia. Tito lets them retreat but without any armor, motorized vehicles, or heavy artillery.

Consequences? By gambling, Stalin misses the big prize….Berlin. Wehrmacht stabilizes fronts in Hungary and Poland. Germans happily surrender to Western Allies. After “Battle of the Bulge” , German resistance in the West folds. Hitler dies on May 2nd of a stroke. Goering assumes command in Berlin. Agrees to terms from Allies. Goebbels accompanies the body of der Fuhrer on his last journey through Germany to Leipzig, Nuremberg, Munich, and Linz before the remains and coffin of Adolf Hitler disappear. Millions of Germans turn out as the last macabre scene of the Third Reich unfolds; the funeral service(s) for Adolf Hitler. Hundreds of thousands of German women of all ages are seen and filmed & recorded in technicolor, uncontrollably crying in Nuremburg, Munich, & Linz during the services and viewing of the Fuhrer's remains. "Hitler's Funeral ", May7th-23rd, 1945, is Dr. Goebbels final masterpiece of theater. In each afore mentioned city, hundreds of thousands of citizens turn out to see
the trains and airplanes that are used to carry Hitler through Germany for the last time. Tens of thousands go to the venues where Dr. Goebbels has the coffin of the Fuhrer on display. Dr. Goebbels claims himself as the heir of Adolf Hitler and refuses to surrender to Allies and calls for continued resistance. All Wehrmacht personnel sent east. US & British accept Goering as legitimate leader and deal with him rather than the "doctor". Other probs, Stalin is now not trusted. What he will do with Japan (separate peace) solidifies this belief with the Western Allies (U.S., U.K./Commonwealth, & Australia {independent since 1901 in this TL}).

Italy: In 1938 Benito Mussolini invades Albania. Several weeks after his invasion, Yugoslavia declares war. The “Italo-Yugoslav War” drags on until June of ’42. Slovenia is taken by Musso and a puppet is put in power. Weeks later, Slovenian puppet is overthrown by a pro-German puppet. The Fallschirmjäger begin parachuting in hours after Mussolini’s puppet has been overthrown. Needless to say, Italy cannot do anything about it. Relations between Hitler & Mussolini sour terribly. Italy won’t forget what Germany did. Croatia is taken by Musso and becomes a battlefield.

What saves Italy? Surprisingly the Italian air force
(not the Regia Aeronautica since in TTL, the Emperor/King was deposed in 1917 during WWI.). The Italian Air Force will prevent the Yugoslavs from maneuvering on the battlefields and give Italy air superiority. By 1940, Italy’s normal friend and supplier, Britain is in the fight for its life and cannot supply Italy. That year, 1940, a flashback to WWI takes place as bi-planes are seen over Croatia and Bosnia as both Italy & Yugo. have run out of parts for modern monoplanes. Stalemate ensues. Italy sets up puppet in Croatia. In 1942 Yugo & Italy sign armistice.

Results? Yugo civil war erupts, eventually it becomes Communists vs. Communists in Yugo. Other result? Italy sits out WWII! Musso holds onto power by utilizing a brutal secret police. Italy’s economy is creaking along. No petroleum. No coal. No trade due to war. Only way out? In September of ’44 US approaches Il Duce. Deal is arranged. Italy joins Allies in late March of ’45. In December of ’44 Italy gets loads of supplies, food, fuel, trucks, olive-green uniforms, steel-pots etc. US troops begin arriving in late January of ’45. Facilitates US troops getting to Buda, Prague, even Krakow, Poland by end of May ’45.

Italy and Mussolini have survived WWII by being in the right place at the wrong time. US forces Musso to relinquish Albania in June of 1946. King Zog returns, gets deposed & replaced by hardline Communist Enver Hoxa in October of 1947. Hoxa rules the unusual hermit like nation until his death in 1991. For being a “good-boy”, the US arranges for Italy to join the United Nations. Fascist Italy joins the U.N. in October, 1947 just as King Zog is being overthrown. Mussolini now looks like he was the right man to hold onto Albania. US has egg on its’ face as a result of Communist take over in Albania.

As a consequence, the US insistence that Italy pull out its troops and support of Fascist Croatia melts away. Italy releases its’ Croatian puppet only in 1959 when it is strong enough to stand on its own. Croatia remains semi-Fascist and a close ally to Italy; it joins NATO in 1960. In 1948, natural gas is discovered in Libya. In ‘49/’50 Sunoco & Standard Oil arrive and begin drilling in November ’49. Italian economic miracle begins in Feb ’51. Italy becomes the major oil exporter in Europe. Massive Italian emigration to Libya between 1949-1957. Tripoli becomes a huge metropolis by 1961; Benghazi by 1964, Misrata by 1965, and Sirte by 1968. Ten million Italians are living in Libya by 1960. Anti-Communist, Fascist Italy joins NATO in May, 1955. Italian economy and standard of living surpass Britain by Autumn of 1956. Only Germany’s economy is stronger than Italy’s. The third strongest economy in 1958 in Europe belongs to,….


France: France was “bad” in TTL. As per “R3”, France in 1939-40 was a constitutional monarchy. The man on the throne is Napoleon Albert Eugene Bonaparte. The oldest son of Napoleon IV and the Empress Beatrice, the youngest daughter of Victoria & Albert. France surrenders in June of 1940 as per OTL. In Oct of ’40 Napoleon V flies to the U.K. ala Rudolf Hess (who will do the same thing). He’s first treated as a celebrity by the press & even addresses the Parliament. Only Churchill is not amused. Nap Albert wants Britain to end the fight and join Hitler in a crusade against Bolshevism. Churchill has Nap V. confined to Camden Place, Chiselhurst, outside of Greater London for the duration of the war. Meanwhile, Nap V’s heir, Nap VI has done what over 200,000+ Frenchmen have done…..volunteer to combat Bolshevism and drive the Commies over the Urals into Asia. Vichy France never declares war against the USSR; the nearly 360,000 French soldiers who serve in Russia are volunteers for the Wehrmacht . The French serve under their own officers who are subservient to senior German officers until the end in 1945. Napoleon VI will survive the war, as will his father, (but he will never become Emperor) and be among the tens of thousands of French troops who happily surrender to American forces in Hungary in May of 1945. This is how & why the German VI Army was able to escape. With 120,000 well armed French soldiers holding the lines (instead of weaker Italian & Rumanians) the Soviet attack is blunted.

How else is France “bad” in TTL? When the Anglo-Allies invade North Africa in July of 1943, the French Vichy gov’t declares war on the Allies and joins the “NEW ORDER”. There is no Axis, Italy never joined. Musso and Hitler are on similar terms as were Franco & Hitler as per OTL. Results, 38,383 American deaths in North Africa from the French Army as well as the local milicia, which America won’t forget. Stiffer resistance to the Allies in 1944-45. Very little help from French civilians. De Gaulle will become savior to France. His presence prevents Allies from being too harsh to France. De Gaulle will lead French troops in the liberation of France. France will be occupied like Germany but with De Gaulle around, U.S. occupation becomes “lighter” and more like an….”ally” who…just happens to have bases on French soil,…because,….”we are “allowing” them to remain here because,…we……..like the Americans. But they’ll leave when we (De Gaulle) order(s) them to do so!

However, France does not get a seat on the Security Council of the UN. Due to US pressure, the Bonapartes are out. Also, France is not allowed to return to Indo-China. Ho Chi Minh, a confirmed ally, unlike France, helped downed US pilots in WWII & fought the Japanese. He’s rewarded by getting independence, guaranteed by Uncle Sam. {No Vietnam War for us! But, don’t worry, we will be fighting someplace tropical in the 1960’s.}. Uncle Ho becomes the “Tito” of S.E. Asia, Communist,….yes, but with a s-m-allc”, that the United States can overlook, particularly since most Americans won’t even know where Vietnam is on a map until after the 1980’s! As for French (De Gaulle) carping about not helping against the Soviets in the Cold War if we dismantle their empire, the US calls the French (De Gaulle's) bluff. The US, however, does not touch any part of the French Empire except for Indo-China.

The 4th Republic starts in late 1947 & falls in 1952ish. Marshal De Gaulle steps up to save France in 1953ish….forms the 5th Republic…..gets elected in ’54 for a six year term….re-elected every election year, last term is from 1972-78 when he retires. Dies in TTL in 1981 at age of 90, (gets ten more years than in real life). Algeria is French and will remain so. People of European descent are the majority of the population of Algeria. French people are 75-80% of the population of Algeria by 1940. Another 5-10% are ethnically mixed French
{usually from the father’s side}/Arab {almost always the mother’s side}. As France develops in the post WWII era, Algeria will go from being the “Georgia-Alabama-Mississippi, & Texas” of France to becoming the “California ” of France with cutting edge technology, aeronautics industry, modern infrastructure, space port {in 1968}, housing development, air conditioning everywhere, television & movie industry, somewhat more politically liberal and progressive than it had been, farming & agriculture replaced by modern manufacturing etc.


[FONT=&quot]Netherlands[/FONT][FONT=&quot]: In TTL, the Dutch are much more economically and militarily powerful than in OTL. How are they more wealthy? As per “R3”, the Dutch have eclipsed & surpassed the British & French (by 1911) in producing & becoming the World’s premier source of rubber. This combined with petroleum, tin, and other minerals give the Dutch more power and profits. Also, they sit out WWI and greatly profit by supplying both sides until late 1918. The Dutch East Indies Fleet is larger than OTL. They have 1 aircraft carrier by 1935 converted from an old battle cruiser. They have a much larger navy located in the Dutch East Indies. When Japan declares war against the Western Allies (excluding the USA) in October of 1940, their first target is not just the D.E.I., but the Dutch East Indies Fleet. During the naval battles, the IJN destroys the D.E.I. Fleet at the “Battle of the Java Sea”, the “Battle of the Celebes Sea ”, and the “The Battle of the Arafura Sea”. The Dutch also, as per “R3” have the island of Madagascar, in equatorial Africa they have OTL Rio Muni which they purchased from Spain in 1891, they rename it “Nederlands Kameroun”. The Dutch will be the last of the mean, tough, ugly, unrepentant, colonialists. They will fight in the Dutch East Indies until 1962 when they partially throw in the towel. They will hold onto the area around Batavia on the western end of Java. It will be called; “The Batavian Captaincy”. The Dutch will finally withdraw from Java in 1969. Between 1962 and 1969, the Indonesian Archipelago becomes the site of dozens of mercenary armies and groups fighting for control of: islands, parts of islands and other strategic areas. Mercenaries from several European countries plus Australia, the U.S. (C.I.A. “groups”), the USSR (K.G.B. “groups”), and….the “Japanese Federation”, {after 1958}, will make and keep Indonesia not only a battleground, it will provide an excellent place for int’l arms dealers and several countries armaments industries to make handsome profits well into the 1970’s. The Dutch will grant Madagascar its’ independence and leave on good & friendly terms in 1970. There is no reason for the Dutch to fight in Madagascar since it is not a profitable colony, so that’s why they are willing to leave without fighting for it. As for Dutch Guiana{[/FONT]rubber, bauxite, gold, timber} and Nederlands Kameroun{rubber, minerals, petroleum, petroleum, and…more petroleum}, the Dutch will fight a brutal & bloody colonial war against the locals before finally retiring in 1974-75. With a cessation of American aid in 1973, due to a new presidential administration coming in after 1972, the colonial wars in Africa and elsewhere begin to wind down.


[FONT=&quot]Belgium: The war in the Congo goes from 1958 until 1965 in TTL. A socially conservative gov’t, combined with a friendlier US wages a successful war in the Congo. In early ’64, it looks like the Congolese rebels no longer have time on their side as the Belgians & their American and Afrikaaner allies [[/FONT]both countries not only provide weapons and supplies but, tens of thousands of volunteers especially the Afrikaaners.] have been able to cut off Soviet airdropped supplies (originating in Egypt, a Soviet ally & friend.[FONT=&quot]). But, as the result of an election in late 1964, as well as war weariness, the Belgian Social Conservatives are shocked as they are defeated at the polls by a left-leaning, anti-war coalition. Once elected, they make bold steps to end the war and begin immediately to grant the Congo its’ independence. The Congo becomes independent from Belgium on January 1st, 1966. American aid is driven by a much stronger anti-Soviet sentiment, as a consequence, the US reverses its’ int’l policy from OTL and assists the European colonial powers to fight the rebels. The USSR helps the rebels.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Portugal: Much the same as OTL except that when colonial wars in Africa begin, the U.S. provides much more military aid {[/FONT]including volunteers from the US Army}, to help the Portuguese fight in Africa. The Portuguese will brutally subdue the rebels in Guinea by 1964, in Fernando Po?, by 1963. But then in 1972-73 the Portuguese will be on the verge of victory over both Angola & Mozambique, when the US cuts military aid and Salazar dies. Coup happens shortly after Salazar’s death and the new gov’t in Lisbon decides to grant independence to its’ African possessions. By 1975, (as per OTL), the Portuguese are gone from Africa.



The U.N. Four Permanent Members: 1) United States, 2) United Kingdom, 3) despite breaking his word and pissing off both #1 & 2, the U.S.S.R., 4) The Republic of Australia. The “fifth” seat on the Security Council is a “revolving seat”. Members get the 5th seat for a 90 day term before giving it up to another member. Four diff countries are in the #5 seat per year. The first temporary seat occupant: Canada.

What happened to Nationalist China? If you think Stalin pissed off the Western Allies…….Chiang Kai-Shek in TTL threatened to throw up his hands to the Japanese several times so he could go fight Mao instead. U.S. notes that the Kuomintang Army is notorious for not showing up for battles and sometimes seems to be helping the Japanese when it suits them. China is not invited to be a permanent member of the U.N. Eventually a permanent 5th seat will be offered to of all people, Mussolini. Why? Oil makes money and oil profits make many a head turn and forget that Italy is a Fascist nation. Only a veto from the Soviet Union will prevent Italy from getting the 5th seat on the Security Council.



If I have forgotten any country; ie; Great Britain, Australia, U.S.A., Mexico, Israel, Brazil, South Africa, China, the status of what became of French West Africa, Hong Kong, etc, and you are wondering about any one of those or any other countries, please ask me & I will fill in/answer your questions.



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The CBS broadcast and coverage of the state funeral of Josef Stalin [already in progress]

Wednesday, November 20, 1957

Time: 1O:30 AM (New York time)

Pyle: " Welcome back ladies & gentlemen to our first days coverage of the funeral of Soviet dictator, Marshal Josef Stalin. I am on the line with our Moscow correspondent, Walter Cronkite.
[FONT=&quot]Tell us, Walter of the days events that took place there in Moscow."

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[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]Cronkite:[FONT=&quot]"Well, Ernie, the day began here early just around 8:00 AM when the first of several hundred dignitaries began to file through the chamber where Marshal Stalin is lying in state. I would say that by noontime that thousands of Muscovites had filed passed to pay their respects to the Soviet leader, a man, who lead them through the dark days of the Second World War, a war, that is known here as the Great Patriotic War. The outpouring of grief that we and others have witnessed over the death of Marshal Stalin is astounding. Thousands of ordinary Soviets have been see weeping openly in the streets of Moscow."[FONT=&quot]

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[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]Pyle:[FONT=&quot]" Well perhaps Walter, they were crying since they now hope that the nightmare of Stalin has ended. Maybe these are tears of relief from the ordinary citizens rather than of sorrow Walter. The Russians have been through a lot in the past 35 years Walter. Perhaps now the nightmare that has been the lot of the common Soviet citizen can at last come to an end."

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[FONT=&quot]Cronkite:[FONT=&quot]"I think that there is some hope for that Ernie but time will tell here about that Ernie. There is still no indication who, or what "clique" may in fact be able to maneuver itself to be in the position to succeed Marshal Stalin."

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[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]Pyle: "What are your sources saying or suggesting Walter of who or,….perhaps how should we know who to look for,…for a sign if you will, of who will succeed Stalin?"

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[FONT=&quot]Cronkite: [/FONT][FONT=&quot]"It appears that from what I have been told Ernie, is that we have been told to watch for the individual or individuals who make the longest eulogy for Stalin. Whoever makes the longest speech praising Stalin would be one possible indication of who his successor may in fact be."


[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Pyle: [/FONT][FONT=&quot]" That does not seem to be very….convincing to me Walter. What if some vodka-soaked general gets up and rambles on for an hour? Are we to then assume that that drunken sot of a Soviet general is to be taking over? I think that your contacts there Walter, are leading you down a dead-end alley either by design or by,...by…..incompetence on their part. "

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[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]Cronkite: [FONT=&quot]" Well, Ernie I think that we can only go on what our sources themselves believe. I trust my sources Ernie and I do not think that they are trying to mislead me. It could be that their guesses are the best that we can expect for right now."

[FONT=&quot]Pyle:
[FONT=&quot]"It is certainly a puzzle over there, a,....ah,....an enigma....a "Red " Enigma; wouldn't you agree Walter?"

[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Cronkite:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] "Well Ernie, it does have that perennial appearance over here."

[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Pyle:[/FONT] "It is somewhat unfathomable for those of us in a free nation like the US to fully get a grasp of the situation there in the USSR. "[FONT=&quot]

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Hmm, a couple of quibbles just how would the 6th Army escape Stalingrad? (never mind the fact that the changed situation in the Far East & Fascist Italy would change the pre-Barbarossa deployments of the Red Army and butterfly the North African Front) The Germans came close to losing the whole Army Group OTL. Added to the fact that the men of the 6th Army were dropping dead of illness & exhaustion weeks before they were cut-off, and would be in no shape to reach German lines by the time any relief effort could be launched.


Also Tito didn’t turn against the Soviets until 1947 OTL after Stalin tried to have him deposed.

Beyond that even an uber-wanked Japan would not be able to overcome its inherent weaknesses vis-à-vis the USA or U.S.S.R. Nor retain foreign territory by any means other than a bloody bayonet. As Imperial Japan’s racist brutality in some way exceeded that of Nazi Germany.


As for the Allies cutting a deal with Goring & the Nazi's ''gladly'' folding in the West, eh no...just no.
 
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