WI: Speer becomes Armaments Minister a year early?

After the previous guy died in a crash, Speer was appointed. He saw the need to switch to a long-war type production economy and struggled to do so, changing a lot of things losing out on others etc. (for example he was in favor of female factory workers).

So what if Speer gets in the position in January of 1941 instead of February of 1942? Assume Hitler still has as much faith in him as he was reputed to later. It's still almost impossible for Germany to win, but things are going to be somewhat different--how?
 
Given the incredible problems with the Nazi economy - problems due to ideology, competing satrapies for raw materials and factories, duplication of effort with empire building, and the priority given to transporting Jews to the camps, there isn't much Speer can do. Maybe he can boost production by 10% over what it was (including a 10% boost after the OTL time he took over). It's unlikely that a 10% boost in "stuff" is going to help much, or make much difference.
 

Ak-84

Banned
Might make tthe difference in Russia. The Battle outside Moscow which sealed the fate of the Germans was quite a touch and go battle especially in the last week of Nov and the first week of Dec 41. Speer's increase in aramaments production might be able to out fit a handful of new divisions and help improve German ligistics whic could help the Germans take Moscow and cause the Soviet Capitulation that was lilkely if Moscow fell.
 
Might make tthe difference in Russia. The Battle outside Moscow which sealed the fate of the Germans was quite a touch and go battle especially in the last week of Nov and the first week of Dec 41. Speer's increase in aramaments production might be able to out fit a handful of new divisions and help improve German ligistics whic could help the Germans take Moscow and cause the Soviet Capitulation that was lilkely if Moscow fell.

What's with the myth of the SU bowing out if the Germans took Moscow? It didn't stop them in 1812 when they were bloodied and then lost the city, why would it stop them now. The only thing that might cause a capitulation is the death of Uncle Joe at the hands of the German forces.
 

Ak-84

Banned
In 1812, the whole railway network of the USSR was not centered around Moscow. The loss of which would have made the USSR unable to move men and materials around.
 
The USSR would not have surrendered if Moscow was taken. It's just that they would be unable to fight an effective war against the Germans, as even though the Germans were overstretched, they had a command and somewhat feasible supply network.

If Moscow was taken (the entire Moskva province, not just the city), the USSR's central command would have taken a huge blow, the supply network would be sliced from the head, and the already stretched Red Army might not have made it against the Germans for another year or so.

This is unless Soviet command is effectively relocated and preparations for a backup supply system are put into place, but that would require more PODs.
 
Speer made a number of critical mistakes in his tenure (still better than his predecessor) he kept making obsolete designs due to ease of manufacture as opposed to actual battlefield need (ME-109 series G was the huge example of his because Germany produced far more aircraft then they had freaking pilots (pilot replacement and training in Germany was non-existant/terrible hence why you had to have guys like Rudel and Hartmann fly 1000's of sorties without ever giving them rest or a tour as an instructor)

Putting him in doesn't change the rediculous infighting amongst the general staff and the technocrats from the armaments industry nor does it stop Hitler from micromanaging weapons systems or ordering designs that are overly complicated, expensive and use too many scarce materials.

This wouldn't be felt in 1941... it is somewhat possible for it to have serious results in 1942 though provided Hitler doesn't get in the way so much. In 1942 Germany only produced 900 upgunned Panzer 4's and were still producing the Panzer 3 and 2.... if Speer was able to rationalize the economy in 1941 it is relativelty easy for that number to have been at least 1500 if not more... imagine the potential butterflies for stalingrad if paulus or hube has an extra 500 panzer 4's with the long 75mm gun
 

burmafrd

Banned
Of course Speer made mistakes but he made many more good decisions then bad ones. So putting him in a year early has got to mean more weapons and ammunition available then there was OTL. The question is how much?
 
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