Hi.
Before this topic gets banned.
1) I liked the story so far. More for the story,
that for the alternate take of history. More for the
characterization, that for the historical insights.
2) And on topic of the alternate history, it was
shown minimally so far, and looking on how the topic had
grow, even without the insight of the author itself...
The Critic wrote:
- If Hitler had waited 1 year, the German Navy would have finished its
building program. This would have allowed a stronger strangle hold
on Britain. It would have also given them more confidence in
attempting for an amphibious assault.
If Germany had waited a year, their economy would go bankrupt on the
massive debt it had. France, already the most advanced military in the
world, would have completed the Magionet(sp?) Line. Britain would have
built up enough to match the continental Europeans. Russia would have
completed it's major military re-organization. In short, if Germany
had waited any longer than what it had, it would never had gotten
as far as it did.
Sorry, but the borth sides had shown a bit of wrong
arguments, although i may agree with the Critic, prolonging
would made war worse for Germany.
Magino line was already completed, when Germany attacked
France. The point was, that it didnt help France a bit, Germans
went around it thry Benilux countries, and there wasnt plans for
France to expand the Magino line to north, against the Benilux.
Also, at that moment the most advanced military was Wehrmaht.
Germany also had the great strategical material exchange
with the Russia going till the start of 'Barbarossa' operations,
purchasing grain, ore, strategical materials in exchange for
advanced machinery. Year more would allowed for the greated
stockpiles acquired. It also would have allowed Germany
get in order their allies Italy, Ruminia, and the other
Balcano states. It would allow them stop Alban uprising,
Greek uprising, that at the final delayed the "Barbarossa"
from its proposed date at second part of may till the
near end of june.
As for Russia, there was new 'cleanings' prepared for the
army commanding officers, so it is under the question, if it
may made situation for better or worse.
As for german navy, the year of 'planned' rebuilding
was 1943. With all delays, it may be more 1944, maybe even 45.
And Germany couldnt wait so long.
- If Hitler had ignore Goring and had gone for an amphibious assault
of Britain instead of trying to bomb it into submission, right after
Dunkirk, Britain would have fallen.
As the Battle of Britain was starting to look good for the Germans,
they went about making preparations for landing operations--what they
discovered, however, was that they simply didn't have the logistical
capability to support a substantial operations across the English
Channel. Remember, the German army still used horses--this was not a
mechanized jugernaught with tones of support assets.
Battle of Britain was battle of air superiority. Germany
had to asquire it to do landing without dramatic losses, and
landing was what was planned into summer 1940. Luftwaffe and Gering
were right, saying, they had to destroy Royal Air Force to start
the landing. And they came wery close to archieving it.
The problem arise, when instead of continuing to target
the RAF installations, radar starions, airfields, airschools
and all other strategic targets, Luftwaffe was ordered to bomb
London. All to avenge night bomb raid on Berlin, RAF did.
As for horses, allied armies were using them too, not
only Germans.
- Japan would not have been mauled in their attacks on India if
Britain fell early.
Heh. Japan's problem wasn't manpower; the Home Islands needed oil,
and a lot of it, very quickly, or else their economy was going to
grind to a halt. Once they had enough fuel to keep their economy
going, they would have to face shortages of everything else.
Japan was sadly unprepared for a war.
No comments. I do not know this war theatre as good as
European&Russian to give any comments.
Russia is a non-factor as Japan never declared war on them
and the USSR only declared war AFTER the atom bomb fell.
You are aware, of course, that these nations had engaged in major
battles on water and on land just prior to the war, right?
Russia during whole WWII considered Japan a big threat
and kept large forces in Siberia even when germany was standing
at gates of Moscow. And yes, both into 38 and 39 there were
large battles fought between Japan and Mongolia (read Russia),
with several thousands soldiers involved (Battle at Hanka, and
Battle at Hassan Lake). It was only that Russia too dreaded war
on two fronts, something, Germany unsuccesfully tried to acquire
for during WWII.
- If Hitler had not been blinded by pride and racism, he would have
known that Operation Barbarossa would not be a knock out blow. He
would have planned and prepared for a long campaign, not the
half-year one that he had planned on. They only prepared winter
clothes for a garrison force, a factor that hurt them much during
the Russian winter.
If Hitler hadn't been Hitler, he would have dumped the idea of taking
Russia to begin with. The German military forces simply didn't have
the logistical capability to hold a substantial portion of Russia,
even if they somehow overcame Russia's huge material and number
advantages.
"Barbarossa" had chances of victory. If it had started as
planned, at may, instead of june, if there wasnt the loss of the
few armoured and mechanised divisies into quelling the uprisings
into Balcans. If nacis hadnt turned masses into occupied territories
against them by exterme rasicism...
But as was said, then it wouldnt be Hitler.
As it has been often said, the Third Reich would have triumphed
save for Hitler, but it would not have existed but for him.
The Reich would never had existed as a reality had Germany not been so
burdened with debt, and languishing under a lame economy. That's
another irony of war.
The Agreement of Versailes created foundation for WWII.
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