alternatehistory.com

Fedor von Bock had a daughter born in 1907 and, as a monarchist, visited the German royal family in the Netherlands. What if his daughter had married a Dutch businessman? Naturally, when he commands Army Group B during the winter 1939/40, he looks for ways to restrict the German attack to Belgium and Luxembourg. He suggests using the paratroops to seize crossings over the Meuse west of Liege and that, to avoid the Albert Canal defences, 6th Army, including 3rd and 4th Pz, could swing south of Liege and then cross to reach Hannut by 12th May [in OTL they arrived via Maastricht and the paratroops dropped near The Hague]. He was concerned by the problem of the Liege fortresses. From October, he demanded rapid development of the 60 cm mortar 'Karl' and three are ready by end of April [OTL the first was tested in May]. In case the mortars are not ready, he suggests dropping bombs produced from the 2.2 ton mortar shells from He-111s. This is found to be possible and KG 100, given the task, suggest attacking by night using the new X-geraet, which is accurate enough at such short range. Finally, pioneers can attack after the bombing using gliders and shaped charges. Thus at the end of April 1940, von Bock is able to persuade everyone that using 6th Army south of Liege and attacking Liege with 18th Army will work. It does and Dunkirk, Battle of Britain and Barbarossa etc. goes as in OTL.

And the point? What happens in the Far East? :)
Top