War on the Rhine

[King of the Uzbeks]

Hey guys this is my first AH and it's about what would have happened if the French had gone to war when Hitler sent troops back to the Rhineland.



General Maurice Gamelin sat in his office thinking, an aid had just told him that the Germans had remilitarized the Rhineland. He knew that it would be unpopular to go to war. But something told him that if Hitler broke one aspect of the Treaty of Versailles than he'd brake more. Gamelin knew how much the French had wanted revenge after the Franco-Prussian war he could only assume the Germans felt the same after the Great War. "Very we'll I'll submit a report to the cabinet sugessting war." He said to himself.

 

[King of the Uzbeks]

The early stages

The people of France awoke to the news of war on March 8th 1936 while many we're against the war the rallying cry "Defend Versailles" gave support to the war. When Hitler found out that the French had mobilized he announced a withdrawal from the Rhineland but it was to late, as an unsigned letter to a newspaper proclaimed "If Germany tries it once they'll try it again just as when they marched on Paris once they marched on it again"

Great Britan supported France's move and promised "Logistcal,Economical, and moral support" but declined to assist militarily. Italy stated "Though Italy was a victorious signer of the Treaty of Versailles it has settled onto the Itailan people that the terms were too harsh. The Duce and the people condemn France for attempting to stop Germany from reclaiming what is theirs."
The Soviets were officially supportive of the French but maintained that the Franco-Soviet Treaty only applied when one of them was directly attacked . Belgium reaffirmed its neutrality .


Any comments

 

[kung Zog]

Italy would not condemn France. Italy and Germany ain't buddies and even if the Franco-Italo relation has deteriorated due to the Ethiopian war, it is not worth it to support the given losing partner of the war.

United Kingdom would most likely support the French decision but not intervene military, at least not initially.

 

[alspug]

from a technology standpoint Germany is screwed . they have nothing that can even scratch the somua-35 . the Luftwafee is small and weak . the kreigsmarine is also screwed , literally you have a situation where the French have a chance of winning .

 

[Magnum]

France was in the middle of a big financial crisis at that point. If it looks like it's going to go to war (or better yet, actually does), then it will probably default on its payments AT LEAST.

Furthermore, Hitler had given express order that everyone should turn back the second the French started acting aggresively. Thus the units the Germans sent wouldn't even get into the center of the Rhineland, and hence a justification for war (especially in the midst of a bankrupting economy) would be sorely lacking.

lastly, Gamelin was a complete idiot who shouldn't have been allowed to command anything more then his own private person. OTL he had informed the government that it would take full mobilization on the part of France to be able to defeat Germany-something evidently wrong. With the economy on the brink of collapse, the politicans naturally chose the safe way out.

 

[Paul V McNutt]

I think Hitler is quickly overthrown the new government sues for peace and promises to keep the troops out of the Rhineland.

 

[Bri2k]

I think Hitler is quickly overthrown the new government sues for peace and promises to keep the troops out of the Rhineland.

I've got to agree and I'm having fun imagining a multi-national force (League of Nations? Allied signatories to Treaty of Versailles?) occupying the Rhineland DMZ.

I think if the crisis lasted longer than it took for the Wehrmacht to get back where it belonged, Great Britain would support France. In the case of this leading to all-out war, the French crush Germany like a bug and the Nazis are out. Either way, the Third Reich is history.

 

[King of the Uzbeks]

the Third Reich is history.

Yeah it'll probably collapse in an update or two.
But do you have any Ideas on who will take power after the Reich falls?

 

[King of the Uzbeks]

The Rhineland War by Angela Merkel c. 2006

Chapter 1.

The Franco-German war, The War on the Rhine, The Rhineland War. These are but a few of the many names that the war between Germany and France in 1936 is known by.

It began when the Fascist dictator of Germany- Adolph Hitler - ordered German troops to remilitarize the Rhineland which was against the Treaty of Versailles. The French government reacted quickly and divisively against the Germans orders were given to all troops in France to be on high alert while the divisions on the Rhine were given orders to attack Germany. It was Decided by Maurice Gamlin, the top French Genral, that the French attack should be concentrated at the Rhineland because that was the cause of the war. Indeed it is in Rhineland that Germany lost the war when France declared war they withdrew from the Rhineland if they had held fast to the Rhineland they may have been able to stall the French long enough to get an armistnce signed because although there was great patriotism in France the truth was that there was an economic crisis going on and war cost money. If Gamlin wanted to defeat Germany he would have to do it before the money defeated France.

What do you guys think of this style? I'm trying to decide what style to do.

 

[King of the Uzbeks]

TOP SECRET

War Plan 49

Plan of attack send all available divisions into Germany, each aimed for an important strategic target. Once the majority of troops have archived their objectives a major push should begin to march on Berlin. In the unlikely event of Germany provoking Britain and invading Belgium Western divisions shall be sent to the Belgian border while reserves fill the gap they left.

Major Target Cities/Areas:
Munich
Frankfurt
Hamburg
Cologne
Rhineland
Ruhr

Expected Result: Total Victory

Post War Plans: V for Victory
Economic: war reparations, use of occupied areas for industrial use and an economic pact with the new government.
Military:
reoccupation of the Ruhr for length of payments, occupation of the Rhineland for 10 years, unlimited military for Germany but monthly reports about it must be sent to Paris.
German Gov.:
Republic similar to France's, rooting out of Nazi influence in government

Post War Plan: D for defeat

Destruction of Post war plan V, sign treaty at once, make plans for revenge.


So what do you think of war plan 49? Do you want to see a German version or get on with the war?

Sorry if it was boring just wanted to give you an idea of what the French will do.

 

[King of the Uzbeks]

No comments????? Hurumph.… well I'm going to take that as a sign you don't want to see a German war plan. So here's a timeline of the French invasion of Germany.

Week 1: last German troops withdraw from the Rhineland, French forces cross the Rhine. Early French attacks on targets.
Week 2 : German Forces Withdraw from Cologne much of their forces will be reassigned to defend Munich, French Air For establishes supremacy in the air.
Week 3: 1 French Army is sent to take Hamburg and North-Western Germany
Week 4: French Forces Began to assault Bravaria, the Army sent North engages the Germans in what would be the only German victory in the war at the Battle of Essen however the battle was a Pyrrhic victory as it cost the Germans many men and it only slowed the French down.
Week 5: The French Army advances past Essen and is at the gates of Hamburg
French forces in Bravaria drive for Munch
Week 6: Hamburg falls, first French forces attack Munich, discontent with the war leading members of the opposition parties and the army meet in Berlin to discuss overthrowing Hitler.
Week 7: Street Fighting erupts in Munich, preparation for a coùp begins in Berlin
Week 8: the plotters seize important buildings in Berlin but Nazis still control much of the city, fighting erupts in the streets,French Forces now control most of Munich
Week 9: Anti-Nazi forces take control of Berlin, arrest Hitler and co. For high treason and request armitance with France, France agrees.
Week 10: Both parties meet in Metz for a peace confrance

The resulting Treaty of Metz contains the fallowing points:

Both the Ruhr and Rhineland will be occupied by French forces for 10 years

Germany will form a trade pact with France

Germany will pay France 100,000 Francs

The Ruhr and the Rhineland will remain demilitarized until Germany pays its war debts

The Nazi party will be banned



So what do you think?

Future updates: Spanish civil war, Olympics, USSR

 

[Michael B]

Both the Ruhr and Rhineland will be occupied by French forces for 10 years

The Ruhr and the Rhineland will remain demilitarized until Germany pays its war debts

Apart from these two points contradicting each other,it seems reasonable. Once the "war" starts France is going to go all the way partly because there is no serious opposition and partly out of revenge for previous wars.

Question, if Germany is taking a good kicking would the Poles and Czechs dive in and "adjust" the border.and Would the French object?

On the British response to the Franco-German War is likely to wring their hands and say how dreadful it is, and do/say no more.

 

[King of the Uzbeks]

Apart from these two points contradicting each other,it seems reasonable. Once the "war" starts France is going to go all the way partly because there is no serious opposition and partly out of revenge for previous wars.

What I meant was there would be no German troops there until debts are paid

Question, if Germany is taking a good kicking would the Poles and Czechs dive in and "adjust" the border.and Would the French object?

No France had no hopes for a revenge hungry Germany and carving it up would cause just that they announced that no land ANYWHERE in Germany would be taken.

 

[Anaxagoras]

Angela Merkel wouldn't exist in this TL.

 

[King of the Uzbeks]

Angela Merkel wouldn't exist in this TL.

Who knows? She might.
Anyway who wrote it doesn't matter.

I'm working on the next update here's a snippet of things to come:
COMMIES
Olympics in London!!!
Republicans Shooting

 

[Carl Schwamberger]

I'd gently recommend the author of this ATL read up on the politics of the era concerning Germany & Versailles. The US had effectively abandoned supporting the Versialles treaty when the French attempted to enforce it by occupation of the Rhineland in 1923-24. that occupation was poltiically disastrous for the French government. Only Belgium properly supported the action, with other French Allies like Poland, Rumania ... giving weak support and Britain effectively standing aside. Overall the US polcies often worked counter to the French what with US government organized loans to support the German government & economy.

The consequences of this 1936 Rhineland activity in international and internal French politics will be large.

 

[King of the Uzbeks]

Next Update on Thursday, here are some pictures to keep you interested .

General Gamelin

The flag of the republicans

Major Player in Germany

 

[victoria944]

Is that really Gamelin, he looks really startled, maybe there are massive riots in the rhineland, french army withdraws - humiliated ? and Gamelin resigns leaving the way open for a new french CinC, someone who thinks, you know it would be a pretty good idea to have a telephone fitted here at french Army high command, that way if anyone invades us i can find out about it pretty quick - well it is the 1930's.

the poles were considering a pre emptive strike on hitler in the mid 30's.

 

[Black]

France's economy would collapse within a few months and without British backing would ultimately fail. So for the sake of France I would hope the British are Pro-French.
Germany has the capability to rally to some degree even at that point and it would be a bloody war, if the French fail in getting a quick victory they cannot outlast Germany.
Also something else to consider is the fact Germany would not surrender unless Berlin falls, can the French make it that far?

 

[Enigmajones]

Neutral, but Pro France.