(Continuation Timeline)
September 29: Estonia signs a 10-year Mutual Assistance Pact with the Soviet Union, which allows the Soviets to have 30 000-men military bases in Estonia. Stalin promises to respect Estonian independence. Stalin continues to act cautiously in relation to Poland, however, he is intent on gaining his sphere of influence in accordance with the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.
Premier Reynaud clashes fiercely with General Weygand in an emergency War Council. Weygand continues to feel his authority is challenged. Reynaud is insistent on forcing an offensive and Weygand objects on the grounds that the German army is well entrenched and that any further offensives will risk taking place in Winter. Weygand believes he cannot continue to operate effectively as Chief of Army and threatens to resign (something he often did in OTL when he did not get his way during his time in Vichy). Although his threat is tempting to a frustrated Reynaud, it would be a political disaster due to his recent successes in the Rhineland. Although Reynaud's popularity has increased he is aware of .
War Minister Daladier intervenes and manages to convince Weygand to stay on. An understanding is reached in which Weygand is assured he will not receive his Marshal's Batons should he resign during the current campaign. A compromise is formulated in which elements of General Billotte's plan are adopted alongside the Georges and De Gaulle plan. A major offensive is planned for when the British Expeditionary Force arrives in force. This is not expected to occur until 11 October (in accordance with OTL).
In the meantime the French and British Air Forces attempt to gain air superiority over the strategic industrial regions of the Ruhr. Britain reluctantly agrees to withdraw most of their Home Squadrons from England
The Japanese Imperial Army reaches the outskirts of Changsha. The Chinese National Revolutionary Army prevents the capture of Changsha by cutting off Japanese supply lines.
30 September: The German pocket-battleship Admiral Graf Spee sinks its first merchant ship, the British freighter Clement while off the coast of Pernambuco, Brazil.
1 October: Soviet troops mass on the Latvian border. Latvian air space is violated by the Soviet Air Force. Premier Reynaud sends a personal telegram to Stalin explicitly warning him of any hostile action in Poland.
2 October: Latvia is invited to Moscow to negotiate with Stalin and Molotov. They are threatened by an occupation force if they do not sign a Mutual Assistance Pact with allowance of Soviet military bases.
The Western Hemisphere approves the Declaration of Panama which states belligerent activities should not take place within waters adjacent to the American continent. This declaration will be enforced by the US Navy, which will patrol up to 300 miles.
The German Army launches a major infantry assault in the centre of Warsaw after a massive artillery bombardment weakens Polish positions.
5 October: Latvia signs a 10-year Mutual Assistance Pact with the Soviet Union, which allows the Soviets to have 25 000 men in military bases in Latvia. Stalin promises to respect Latvian independence.
6 October: The remaining Polish resistance in the centre of Warsaw capitulate to the Germans.
Despite the capture of Warsaw there are still many elements of the Polish army successfully defending entrenched positions and Germany's logistics are stretched to the limit. Generaloberst Gerd von Rundstedt, Commander Army Group South, estimates the Polish Army could hold the 'Romanian Bridgehead' for months and notes (without revealing his personal opinion) that a major offensive during winter will cause heavy casualties.
Polish President Ignacy Moscicki speaking from the established 'Romanian Bridgehead' appeals directly to France to press on the offensive.
The Chinese Army defeats the Japanese Army in the Battle of Changsha. This is the first time the Japanese Army has been prevented from capturing a major city since war began in 1937.
8 October: Hitler speaks before the Reichstag declaring that Poland has been smashed and he is prepared to negotiate with Britain and France if they withdraw from the Rhineland. He boasts he is ready to smash their armies to the Atlantic if they refuse his generous offer.
The German resistance gains momentum but it is unclear whether the Allies will offer reasonable terms to Germany. Despite the opposition to Hitler they are German patriots who desire to see a strong Germany and a coup at this point in time might destabilise the German war effort further. The conspirators await a spark.
9 October: French Premier Reynaud declines Hitler's offer of peace and furthermore states that he will not deal with Hitler. He calculates that this will embolden other Nazi leaders to challenge Hitler's leadership. Intelligence at this point in time greatly exaggerates Herman Goering's opposition to the war.
10 October: British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain declines Hitler's offer of peace.
Lithuanians officials meet in Moscow at the invitation of Stalin and Molotov. The officials are incredibly reluctant to agree to any terms, despite assurances from Stalin that they could negotiate the return of the city of Vilnius (Polish) and the return of Memel (German).
11 October: The first British Expeditionary Force completes their deployment in France. It is estimated some 158,000 British troops and roughly 23, 000 vehicles are now available for the upcoming offensive.
12 October: Representatives from Finland meet Stalin and Molotov in Moscow. USSR demands military bases near the Finnish capital Helsinki, as well as an exchange of territory heavily in favour of the Soviet Union. The justification is for the defence of Leningrad due to the current world situation. Stalin makes vague references about returning the territory at a later date when the world situation improves.
SS Officer Adolf Eichmann begins deporting Jews from Austria and Czechoslovakia into Poland.
13 October: The major Anglo-French offensive begins at 0100 with heavy artillery bombardment at numerous points along the river Rhine. After several hours of bombardment General Georges plans goes into effect with the immediate deployment of the combined Anglo-French air forces. The Allied armies have waited for daybreak to properly coordinate the multiple landings as well as their air coverage.
Despite numerous confusion, including several botched landings due to poor coordination and communication, the Anglo-French force is able to land in force at several locations. Since the last failed offensive the German army has more artillery pieces available in the theatre, as well as armoured vehicles. However they are too few in number and spread too thin throughout the front. The armoured brigades are forced to respond to several attack points at once.
In a stroke of bad luck for the offensive the Germans are able to eliminate one of the major planned landing zones. The French 8th Army under the command General Garchery suffers heavy casualties and is unable to properly coordinate a defence. After several hours of horrific casualties he is forced to withdraw his troops and the poorly organised retreat ends in disaster as the 8th Army is forced to abandon much of their equipment.
On the other hand General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny in command of the 14th Infantry Division holds his position with distinction in the North. His ability to adapt to the German attempts to dislodge him earns him the grudging respect of a German officer who is stated to have said it was similar as in the Battle of Verdun.
Despite his success, and several other small successes along the front, for most of the day the Allies have great difficulty in securing a dominant position. Eventually this does change as the more numerous allied artillery is brought to bear on fortified positions. The German luftwaffe work in close contact with the Army and attempt to hammer the established positions. Their ability to do so is severely hampered by effective Allied air cover, but losses are heavy for the British and French Air Forces.
By the end of the night, although the momentum appears to be with the Allies, the outcome is by no means certain.
14 October: After non-stop fighting since the offensive started, General de Tassigny reports they have succeeded in repelling the German counterattacks and securing a fortified position for reinforcements.
British Brigadier Berney-Ficklin commanding the 15th Brigade of the British 5th Infantry Division also reports similar success. The British Expeditionary Force under Lord Gort embarks in this landing point alongside Brigade General Charles De Gaulle who embarks with his armoured division.
All along the front there is heavy fighting as the Germans attempt to prevent any further fortified landing zones.
British battleship HMS Royal Oak is sunk in Scapa Flow harbour by German submarine U-47.
Finland meets with Stalin again. Stalin inform the delegates that "an accident" might happen between Finnish and Soviet troops, if the negotiations last too long.
15 October: The French Army attempt to force a breakout from their positions. The defending Germans have by now learnt where the expected attacks are to come from and desperately organise a counterattack to drive them back across the river. Despite ferocious fighting it is becoming very difficult to dislodge the Allied armies who are continually bringing to bear more and more artillery pieces. The Germans for their part adopt a defence in depth position along the front in an early application of hedgehog tactics.
The German conspirators note that Hitler's gamble has failed and agree to take action to remove him from power.
A/N: More to come later. Wife has once again reminded me that I can't keep staying up late typing out timelines. It amazes me how much time it does take up.
