What if WW2 started in 1938, Invasion of Czechoslovakia

BigBlueBox

Banned
Sorry to bring up an old thread, but what effect would World War 2 breaking out in 1938 have on Spain? Would the Allies intervene on the Republican side? Would the withdrawal of German aid to the Nationalists give the Republicans a fighting chance? And what would Italy be doing during all of this?
 
And what would Italy be doing during all of this?

I have no idea what the answer to this is, but a war between France, Czechoslovakia and Republican Spain on one side and Germany, Italy and Nationalist Spain on the other would be very interesting.

A question of my own:

Assuming a scenario like the one above, how likely is it that Germany could lose, but not lose so badly it's no longer stronger than France after the peace treaty is signed?

I am just thinking that a Franco-German "cold war" after such a war could be very interesting, but I'm not sure if it is possible for the French and allies to not achieve a crushing victory in the end.

fasquardon
 
If war breaks out in 1938, foreign assistance is going to change significantly. Germany won't be sending volunteers or arms to Spain. Italy won't be in the Franco-German conflict, so they may still keep supporting Franco although the amount may decrease. The USSR can continue to supply the Republicans, this depends somewhat upon whether or not they try and assist Czechoslovakia, and to what extent they feel comfortable sending military goods away from the Motherland with a war in the neighborhood.

IMHO in 1938 the Nationalists are in a commanding position. The odds are pretty good they can still get a final victory, although it make take them longer. If the Republicans can hold on, France and the UK may decide to aid them as the fascist side is seen as German aligned. All things being equal, without major help from the outside the Republicans are going to lose...
 
There is a nice chunk of the German Fleet in the Neutrality Patrol off shore in Spain. I don't expect them to make it home. Deutchland, Graf Spee, four Cl's, some TB's and U-boats, the MN and RN will be all over them. With US vessels also present, its not inconceivable they can be dragged into the conflict.
 
I don't know about Britain. Locally in the US a German Jewish pilot was rejected for service in the Army and Navy, despite his many documented hours and credentials as a flight instructor. On receipt of his last rejection notice he buzzed downtown & flew his single engine plane under the Main St bridge. Some versions had him doing stunt maneuvers over the ROTC armory on the Purdue University campus.

The USAAC rejected a lot of guys who had commercial flight experience, but no College or OCS. They ran a very short term Enlisted Pilot program, but killed it only after a year or so after Pearl Harbor.

After that, they were offered to go into Gliders or as spotters in Cubs and Stinsons
 
Significant numbers of the Army and Navy instructors were civilian contractors. I really don't know what programs this individual applied for. Since he was employed as a engineer in factory construction I suspect he had a university degree. Another story of my fathers I wish I'd taken detailed notes on :(
 
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Is that a fact! Any recommendations on sources for the naval deployments October 1938?

Here's one. I'll try to find some that are more comprehensive. Surprisingly, there doesn't seem to be a great deal in one place, it may be better to try and track down the individual navies contributions.

https://rwhiston.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/1/

On a related note, I came up with a scenario a couple years ago, a "What if" that could have happened (very nearly did in fact) involving the Republican Espana Class Battleship Jaime I and one of the Deutschland's (Adm. Scheer), with some DD or TB on each side. The Germans were upset that the Republicans had bombed the Deutschland, and sent her sister Adm. Scheer to bombard Almiera. In OTL, the two squadrons passed in the night. What would have occurred with them meeting say, at dawn, would have been a unique naval battle. The Germans have 4 TB (1924 type), I'm uncertain of what DD the Spanish used to escort Jaime I that night. Neither of the two major combatants have any immune zone against the others guns. The Jaime I has more guns, and of a larger caliber, but the Scheer's guns fire faster, and she is faster. I think it would have come down to who sees first and hits first.
As to the international repercussion's of such a battle, I won't even speculate.
From what I recall of my readings earlier, the Germans kept two of the Panzerschiffe in the Patrol at a time, the other being at home. Also attached were various smaller warships, CL, DD/TB and some Uboats.
If war broke out suddenly and the Germans are caught away from home their only real course of action is to shelter in Nationalist waters. Considering the strength of the MN and RN, I doubt many will see Germany again.
 
Here is a summary, courtesy of r/derscheisser

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