WW2 delayed

In the dark corners of what Hitler called "his plan" he planned for the big war to begin in the 40s. Of course his plan was cut short with the Allied deceleration of war in September 1939.

But what if WW2 (or whatever it would be called) was delayed until 1941 or 1942? Lets say Hitler doesn't invade the rump Czech state until later. He then invades Poland, taking it and its resources for Germany. In 1940 Bohemia and Moravia "request" annexation. The Allies finally decide to stop him and declare war after intelligence confirms that Germany is taking Czechoslovakia over through brute force. The POD is malleable though, so you can change it, this was just a rough idea I had.

How would the more prepared German Wehrmacht fair this time around. Would the extra time work in Germany's or the Allies favor?
 
In the dark corners of what Hitler called "his plan" he planned for the big war to begin in the 40s. Of course his plan was cut short with the Allied deceleration of war in September 1939.

But what if WW2 (or whatever it would be called) was delayed until 1941 or 1942? Lets say Hitler doesn't invade the rump Czech state until later. He then invades Poland, taking it and its resources for Germany. In 1940 Bohemia and Moravia "request" annexation. The Allies finally decide to stop him and declare war after intelligence confirms that Germany is taking Czechoslovakia over through brute force. The POD is malleable though, so you can change it, this was just a rough idea I had.

How would the more prepared German Wehrmacht fair this time around. Would the extra time work in Germany's or the Allies favor?


I love this angle! Personally I think this is where the world could have got into big trouble.

Allow me to make one or two "WI" assumptions. Hitler still bad but a bit more rational. So the military build up continues apace but would have to slow down say, by 1939?

There would be quality developments to Germany's armed forces e.g. the PAK 38 50mm AT gun (called PAK 38 because it was developed and designed in 1938 so wider replacement of the 37mm, further the PAK 40 the long 75mm developed in 1940 first proposed in March 1939)

On the economy front, despite the "National Socialist" angle Germany was still a small "c" conservative economy so there would still be a consumer/ export led economy. This would change as war approaches.

The net benefit, initially for Germany, would be the Kreigsmarine, as a delayed war would allow some, not all, elements of the Z plan to be implamented (I'm thinking more U boats, completion of H39 and H40 battleships, Graf Zeplin and one other carrier)

For the Luftwaffe, in 1939 the FW190 is introduced (personally I think this is one of the best fighters of WWII. American authors criticise it because of the campaign of late 1943/ early44 where the Mustang became King. What they over look, apart from the handful of aces or "experten" is generally the Jagdeshwader was made up of under trained draftees and exhausted veterans)

Finally, pending when delayed WWII is launched the Luftwaffe may have had the ME262.

Hope this food for thought
 
Wasn't Germany on the verge of financial collaps by the late 1939? The time was working in the favour of the rearming allies anyway.
 
Hi Prem Rack

You are quite right, Germany was practicaly bankrupt. But like today, Germany was exporting consumer goods that the world demanded; sports cars; pianos; plate steel etc. What if selling quality weapons as well?

My view is "what if Hitler had paid more attention (i.e. rational) to Economist/ Reich Treasuary etc"

Slower military build up but better quality. Possible quick military victories in 1943/44 or later 45/46.
 

CalBear

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The Allies. Every minute the larger, richer states with more production capacity have is a win. The U.S. will have fully rebuilt its military by the end of 1942 (the Naval Build up was a reaction to the JAPANESE, as was much of the air build up). Stalin will have several THOUSAND T-34 tanks running about along with a substantially rebuilt army.
 
Time was not on Germany's side
In august '39 something happens, and the War is delayed. so the Invasion of Poland is set for May 1940 [Fall and Spring poor weather is over]
Poland 1940
France 1941

This a extra 9 months for Germany to get ready,
~120 tanks and ~120 planes a month, Say a extra 1100 of each, over OTL's, sept '39 .:) Nice :cool:

But look what has been happening outside Germany,
France has finished it's switch to the De-540, and it's Pilots have had time to train on them.
France has also began introduction of a new Tank.

And the older tanks and the replaced De-530's - they have been shipped to Poland
Poland now has 5~600 modern Fighter planes, and has had time to start training on them.
Poland also has several Hundred Tanks to defend with

else where
Holland was starting to ramp up it's fighter production, It will have extra time here,
Sweden was selling Denmark and Holland It's Lynx Armoured Car, OTL cancelled by Germany's Invasion, here the Sales will be able to be finished
[Best pre war Armoured car in the world]

An extra year of production in England pre War, The Switch from the Firefly to Hurricanes will be complete for the Carriers.
With an Extra 2000 planes, England may go ahead and send the proposed Pacific planes.

Italy will have a Extra year to get ready, but may look at the French and British production and decide to Sit this War out. [?Neutral Italy = a +?or a -?]

And Russia will have a Year to finish Rebuilding the Stalin Line, and to begin production of the T-34.
 
The net benefit, initially for Germany, would be the Kreigsmarine, as a delayed war would allow some, not all, elements of the Z plan to be implamented (I'm thinking more U boats, completion of H39 and H40 battleships, Graf Zeplin and one other carrier)
Of cause, in exchange you're talking about the poms having most of the KGVs in service or nearing completion (in OTL the class suffered serious delays due to a shift in focus of naval construction after the fall of France); most of the I series armoured carriers approaching service; the Lion class on the slips and well on the way; Hood modernised; perhaps a proto-Vanguard freshly laid down; even more escorts in service and on the slips.

The Germans are still well behind the RN.
 
Of cause, in exchange you're talking about the poms having most of the KGVs in service or nearing completion (in OTL the class suffered serious delays due to a shift in focus of naval construction after the fall of France); most of the I series armoured carriers approaching service; the Lion class on the slips and well on the way; Hood modernised; perhaps a proto-Vanguard freshly laid down; even more escorts in service and on the slips.

The Germans are still well behind the RN.


Even the French Navy gets more toys to play with : Maybe not Joffre ( planned for 43 ) and Painleve, but Richelieu and Jean Bart definitely, Clemenceau, maybe, possibly La-Gascogne class.

That's supposing that the Navies even have a role to play. If the invasion of France is delayed until 41, then french rearmament will be nearly achieved and Germany will run into a world of hurt when invading.

Have a look at http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=507400

In addition to the usual tanks and planes, the new AT and AA guns are going to change the conditions of the battle. To say nothing of riffle launched AT grenades ( hello Mr Panzer, every french infantry section has dangerous AT weapon ) and TO reorganisation.
 
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