Weltkriegschaft

[TheHyphenated1]

Hello all,

Again I'll be out of town for awhile.

While I'm away, you'll all have a good opportunity to get in some of the lively discussion and speculation that's harder to do between updates.

Possible topics:

The title of Chapter III (what does The Lion's Den refer to, anyway?)
The future of the anti-Hitler conspiracy (with most of its members gone is it more accurate to call it the Reinickendorf Line Segment?)
The implications of war in the Mediterranean Theater (what should the Regia Marina do to hold off the Royal Navy?)
What's going on with this Domenicos issue (are things as they seem?)
Anything else that strikes your fancy


Play nicely while I'm out .

TheHyphenated1

[trekaddict]

The title of Chapter III (what does The Lion's Den refer to, anyway?)
See below.
The future of the anti-Hitler conspiracy (with most of its members gone is it more accurate to call it the Reinickendorf Line Segment?)

They try a commando raid on Hitlers HQ and fail miserably

The implications of war in the Mediterranean Theater (what should the Regia Marina do to hold off the Royal Navy?)
Hide in port.

[dublish]

The future of the anti-Hitler conspiracy (with most of its members gone is it more accurate to call it the Reinickendorf Line Segment?)

No. A line segment is a straight line between two points. No matter how you try to cut a circle, the best you'll end up with is an arc.

[Slaughts]

I've been wanting more out of the Anti-Hitler conspiracy circle and/or the industry sector about newer tanks and the such, an aspect I have yet seen you try in narrative.

[SeleucidRex]

Lyon's Den... looking at your map, it looks like the French might be able to put up a good fight or even resurgence from Lyon. or possibly something in spanish leon but there havent been many hints in that direction.

[dublish]

Lyon's Den... looking at your map, it looks like the French might be able to put up a good fight or even resurgence from Lyon. or possibly something in spanish leon but there havent been many hints in that direction.

I doubt it. The "Lion" in this case probably refers to Britain. I expect we're going to see some espionage hijinks in London soon...

[TheHyphenated1]

I'm back in town!

Feedback and resumption of the story to follow as soon as this humble scribe can scrounge a few hours' rest...

[TheEnlighted1]

So I may not be totally caught up with the story yet, nearly done with Chapter 2 but I can say this is by far my favorite AAR in the forums. A shame that I wasn't around from the beginning.
Almost 800 replies and not even half way through 1936...

[TheHyphenated1]

trekaddict - Good one!

dublish (1) - True. What I was getting at with that there are only two people remaining and a line segment describes the straight path between two points.

Slaughts - Thanks for the feedback! You'll certainly be seeing more of that this chapter.

SeleucidRex - Interesting. We shall see...

dublish (2) - Excellent thinking as always, sir!

TheEnlightened1 - Why thank you very much, and welcome aboard! I hope to continue to live up to your expectations .

[TheHyphenated1]

Chapter III: The Lion’s Den

Part III

June 9, 1936

Cristoph Scholl stretched his muscles and took several deep breaths as he watched the leaders file into the Berghof’s great room. Morning sunlight streamed down in broad shafts from the high windows, falling upon a large table that had been moved from the dining room. Dr. Schacht, Plenipotentiary-General for Wehrwirtschaft and of late one of the most powerful men in the Reich, took his seat first. He was uncharacteristically without the large briefcase that usually held the notes for his presentations. Today would be the Führer’s presentation, not his. Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler followed him, with his cropped hair and round eyeglasses. Admiral Canaris was next, acknowledging Scholl with a nod -- surely remembering their marathon session in that very room trying to convince Adolf Hitler of the danger from France. von Neurath, the Foreign Minister, now took a seat across from Schacht, who it appeared he had been conversing with on the way into the building. Field Marshal von Küchler, Acting no more, strode into the great room with a thick folder in one hand and an elegant baton in the other. Last, as was usually the case when Bayerlein was not expected, came General Göring wearing an expression that clearly begrudged the steps leading to the chalet.


The Grosse Halle -- the great room of the Berghof.


Two women from the domestic staff appeared with pitchers of mineral water, and assisted the men with their briefcases and papers before retreating. There were several moments of uneasy silence. Scholl glanced from the empty chair at the head of the table to the door at the back of the great room. The SS guard at the door clicked his heels and the door was thrown open at once. Adolf Hitler entered the room.

The men rose to their feet. “Heil!”

“Heil.” Wearing his brown Party jacket, the Führer made his way to the table, seemingly in good spirits. Scholl had become increasingly able to read the man’s shifting moods. From his seat, Hitler sighed deeply, looking at each of the assembled faces in turn.

“The subject matter of this conference is of such importance that it would normally be attended by a meeting of a nation’s full cabinet, with lengthy presentations and debate. I have rejected such a notion for the very reason of the subject’s importance.

“The course which I am to present to you today is the result of thorough deliberation, guided by the instincts which I have honed in three years in the Chancellorship and in the present crisis.

“My interest for Germany has always been for the longest scale -- generations, centuries, even millennia. This is why we refer to the nation as the Thousand Year Reich. We are thus reminded of the permanence of the civilization which we have created, and of the long posterity which shall regard our actions taken during these fateful years.

“If this confrontation had been of my own choosing, I would have put off the final showdown for another six or seven years. In the meantime, Germany would have been able to rearm more completely, and challenge Britain on the sea. I have, however, become convinced that such a slow buildup to war would have also strengthened the political resolve of the anti-German elements in both Allied and neutral countries. At present, such resolve is particularly weak, and was crucial to British and French non-intervention in Belgium, and further crucial to the victories in France. With weak resolve, it shall require less German blood to be able to force a solution. This, obviously, is favorable.

“Regardless of preference, however, the confrontation has come. Nineteen thirty-six. It was never my wish harm the French people, and even the German people are strained by a needlessly devastating war there. A week ago, I hoped to restore peace with the West. I freely admit that France’s refusal to accept peace was disappointing. War for war’s sake profits nothing. Therefore, I consulted Dr. von Hoesch, our ambassador to Britain, and we concluded that if the British could be induced to peace, the French would be naturally forced to follow. A fair and generous proposal was offered through unofficial channels. It was, however, rudely refused. And now, I am told that the British are considering a blockade. Ruinous.

“Though the German economy has been strengthened by rearmament and the introduction of a fully National Socialist system, it presently relies too much on foreign trade. As has been proven by the outbreak of this war, relations with other nations are uncertain, and it is therefore imperative to achieve to as great a degree as possible economic independence -- autarky -- so as not to be held at the mercy of our enemies.

“It is a well-understood principle that any nation must not be forced to rely for vital materials on a nation with whom it might find itself at war. The modern realities of fuel and strategic industry make this all the more true.

“Oil, as Dr. Schacht is quick to remind us, is the lifeblood of the German war machine. Even now, the OPA is surveying German as well as French soil for possible oil development. In the meantime, oil-producing nations must be brought into sympathy with Germany. In this way, oil production can increase at an even pace with the fuel demands of the growing Wehrmacht. Throughout Germany, preparations are being undertaken for conservation of oil and coal in the event of a sea blockade such as those which were carried out during the World War.

“Similar measures will be undertaken with regard to foodstuffs. In the short-term, the combined agriculture of Germany, Belgium and northern France is sufficient. In France, however, this shall require harsh measures for the local people, and general seizure of crops above the lowest level of subsistence.

“The attainment of autarky with regard to food is so important because the development and industrialization of the past two decades have made Germany more vulnerable to the fluctuations and crises which affect world markets. Even the United States, which I was long told was economically invulnerable, was crippled by the Depression. Germany, therefore, with far lesser natural resources, is in a very dangerous position. Consumption of resources by the people, even by the farmers and the producers of food, has increased just as fast as the increases in production, rendering those gains meaningless with respect to the question of autarky.

“I am for these reasons convinced that in the long run, especially in the event of a blockade, food autarky is impossible. Therefore, as soon as the war in the west is won, it will be necessary for Germany to quickly seize several resource-rich areas of central and eastern Europe. This acquisition of Living Space shall both provide for the security and independence of several generations of Germans but also shall give the nation the means to overcome the distant Soviet menace.

“In sum, then, limited autarky is possible, but total autarky is not within reach. Therefore, while hostile nations still surround Germany, there is a terrible vulnerability. This brings us to a consideration of how to deal with each of these powers in turn so as to preserve German statehood in the face of treacherous enemies.”

Hitler pushed his chair back and stood, looking down at the men at the table.

“Three of the Reich’s enemies are driven by hatred. Britain, France and the Soviet Union all stand upon principals which are antithetical to those of National Socialism. Britain is an imperialist state which values only subjugation and domination. She does not conquer to fill the needs of her people or to reclaim stolen territory, but simply because she cannot countenance the thought of other nations rivaling her power. France is degenerate and decadent. There, one’s nation -- one’s race -- are subordinated to whatever the individual wants at any moment. The Soviet Union is nothing but a Marxist political blasphemy. The State -- the highest good in the National Socialist system -- has been abolished and replaced with a system of ineptitude and delusion unlike anything seen before. These nations cannot be reasoned with. They cannot and will not abide Germany’s survival, and out of natural consequence, Germany cannot abide the survival of their own systems. This fact must be recognized.

“All the other nations which might be considered ‘natural enemies’ of Germany can be overcome by less absolute measures, and could sometimes, with proper political effort, be brought to the advantage of the Reich.

“Poland’s very existence is a serious misfortune, but as it is, the Poles act as a buffer between Germany and the Soviet Union. For this reason, an armed neutrality on the part of Poland is in the Reich’s best interests, and must be encouraged by all means possible.

“Italy would naturally compete with Germany over Austria and the Balkans. By concluding an alliance with the Duce, however, I have turned this potential rival into an ally. In order for him to agree to this, I agreed not to act with regard to Austria, whose self-government he is very much interested in at the moment. When the time comes to resolve the Austrian Question once and for all, we shall be in a position to pursue a different sort of diplomacy.”

There was a pregnant pause during which it seemed like von Neurath was on the verge of saying something, but Hitler pressed on.

“Spain has always been the natural enemy of France, and when Germany inherits the whole of France there shall be a natural animosity present. Though Spain is weak and corrupt, her system is not wholly incompatible with National Socialism and the Reich might in time be able to influence a change in Spain which could make her a useful ally.

“Looking to the far future prospects of Germany, Japan may one day become a direct rival. However, the Japanese system, to those who have read about it, is not very dissimilar to Germany’s. Imperial Japan values above all things the sacred state and the Japanese race.”

“Both of which are embodied by the divine emperor,” Canaris noted.

“Yes. And it is this similarity which could one day bring the mutually alien cultures of Japan and Germany together in a way that would be impossible for even close territorial neighbors such as Denmark and Germany.

“The United States is militarily insignificant, but culturally is already in conflict with Germany. Through clever diplomacy, however, America may be induced to a more isolationist stance. For the critical point to understand about America is that she is endowed with a strange set of advantages and disadvantages. As a people -- backward, self-indulgent, mongrelized. There is no common thread of peoplehood. No cultural identity! Just a bunch of foreigners living together. At the same time, the natural resources and capitalist strength of America is formidable. The Americans take and conquer what they will -- but unlike Great Britain, not out of malice but as a natural consequence of the needs of a large and thriving population. In this way, America’s goals can be closely compared to those of Germany. Striving for the same goals, naturally the two nations might eventually… ” Hitler rammed both knuckles against each other like headbutting animals. “However, it must be remembered that this would not be a clash based upon hatred and ideology but upon simple competition. For this reason, the conflict with America, when it comes, can be minimized and could possibly even be purely political and therefore bloodless, which would be a desirable outcome for both nations.

“The sum of these considerations is that the Ango-French alliance must be isolated diplomatically and politically, allowing Germany to defeat each hostile nation in detail. One by one.”

“What of the other, neutral powers?” Canaris asked. “Surely such a course would array the whole of the world against us.”

“von Neurath will see to a simple diplomatic solution. Our policy must now and continually be to actually fight one enemy at a time, while inciting other nations to division and inaction. The peace-doves abroad must be encouraged through every effort of the German Nation. But enough of that child-questioning.”

The Führer returned to his seat. “I have -- come to the opinion -- that the most important thing for Germany is to bring about a strategic situation in which the Western Allies no longer have a redoubt from which to continue the war. This is why the occupation of the whole of France is necessary, to prevent the front from eventually being stabilized and a combined Allied army landing in the south. This is why Brittany and the Channel Islands must be controlled. This is why it is necessary for the Italians to seize the Suez Canal and drive the British from North Africa.

“All this is in vain, however, while England remains. The north will never be secure while airplanes, warships and invasion armies can strike out from her shores. This put in my mind the need to neutralize, whether by peace treaty or by force, the British Isles by the most expedient means. Peace has failed already, and may fail again. Therefore I have, in consultation with the Grand General Staff and with Field Marshal von Küchler, discussed several courses of action in this regard. It was concluded that Britain must be bombed as heavily as possible by the Luftwaffe. However, it is highly unlikely that the Luftwaffe, at its current size, could bring Britain to surrender on its own. The other possibility is invasion in some form.

“The question, then, is whether it would be more advantageous to wait three or four years -- assuming the war still persists -- allowing Germany more time to prepare for the challenges of an invasion… Or to launch an invasion, perhaps a limited one, much sooner, perhaps within a year, to take advantage of the British lack of preparedness. Abwehr estimates place only two divisions in England --”

“Actually, Mein Führer,” Canaris interrupted, “the estimate is five divisions.”

“Yes, five divisions. Thus, the readiness of the British to repel an invasion can only be expected to increase dramatically as we delay. Therefore, it is my intention that England be invaded as soon as this would have a reasonable chance of success.”

Rumors of this had been flying around the government for almost two weeks, but hearing it from the Führer still electrified those at the table.

“Perhaps,” Hitler said, “mere preparations for an invasion, threats, propaganda might cow the British people into demanding a peace. For this we might hope, but speaking truthfully I fear that such a thing would only prolong the struggle. For though to us the World War and this war seem as separate wars, in the long view of the history and life of the German People, Blücher and Blomberg fight in the same struggle. An incomplete settlement with Britain now or in a year would do nothing to change the fundamental standing, while at the same time provoking a smoldering anger against Germany. Better, I think, to seek a decisive blow -- Britain cannot be reasoned with, and putting off the destroying showdown could put Germany in a worse position when it finally comes. Better to have a decisive blow from which imperialist Britain could not rise to strike Germany again!”

Scholl saw a vein throbbing at Hitler’s temple.

“A decisive blow would consist of a forceful invasion and toppling of the government. The British people, you see, are not all bad, and in fact I would like to see peace with them. Their system would need to be rebuilt from the foundations before this could happen, however, and this requires an invasion.”

The Warlord spent some time reiterating this point, and though Himmler was listening hungrily, Scholl noticed Göring’s eyelids become heavy.

“It is absolutely essential to have as little opposition as possible to an invasion. The Royal Air Force and Royal Navy would both make it impossible to cross the Channel in force. The British airplanes have been depleted and can be neutralized in the coming months by intensive Luftwaffe action. The big guns of their fleet are another matter, though. Before an invasion, the waters of the Channel must be heavily mined. Still, the Royal Navy has a formidable number of ships, which could prove fatal to a crossing, as could massed divisions on the beaches. It is therefore necessary to effect an escalation of war in the Mediterranean. This will divert both military strength and political attention from actions in the Netherlands and along the Channel.

“In the interest of effecting the greatest possible escalation in the Mediterranean, Italy should remain on the defensive along its border with France, directing instead all its efforts toward stabilization and ultimate victory in North Africa. At present, a landing by the Anglo-French in continental Italy is out of the question, and an invasion of northern Italy from the Riviera nearly so. The British do not yet wish to risk a land war if that can be avoided, and the French now only have the will to lick their wounds and withdraw to North Africa. We must lead them to believe that Germany also wishes for the Decisive Point to be in the Mediterranean so that they will be secure in their own commitment there and hold very little back.”

Canaris dug through his briefcase. “You all received my circular on the matter -- excepting Dr. Schacht, of course -- correct?”

There were nods from around the table. Scholl had read it too.

According to German intelligence, Britain’s commitment to the Mediterranean theater of war was a broad strategic decision coming from the highest echelons of the British government and general staffs. It was preferable, they seemingly reasoned, to fight the war in the south -- far out of Germany’s reach -- against the numerous but disorganized Italians than to attempt riskier actions in northern France.

By attempting to make the decisive theater of conflict the Mediterranean, Britain could ensure that the battle would be primarily fought on the sea, where the Royal Navy’s overwhelming superiority would be most effective. If a decision in the war could be reached thus, it would entail far lower losses than even the most optimistic vision of an Allied ground campaign to retake France and Belgium.

Further, in the Mediterranean the Allies enjoyed several natural advantages. British and French submarines outnumbered their Italian counterparts more than threefold, including a substantial proportion of modern attack submarines. Further, the Allied naval bases at Gibraltar, Mers el-Kébir, Malta, Alexandria and Cyprus provided an ideal position for containing the Italian fleet in home waters. This wide sweep of bases also afforded Anglo-French ships air cover anywhere in the Mediterranean while the Regia Marina was subject to attack immediately after leaving port. The generally good weather greatly increased the significance of this factor -- making any Italian moves to reinforce Libya unattractively risky.

With these considerations in mind, the British admiralty had slated many capital ships of the Home Fleet for transfer to the formerly “de-boned” Mediterranean fleet. The first of these, battleships HMS Revenge and HMS Barham, had passed Gibralter the day before -- presumably en route to Alexandria.

“The material and political costs of the war,” Hitler continued, rising once more, “whether that in the Mediterranean or an invasion of the British Isles, will force the Britain to her knees, and it is then that her Empire can be torn loose. It is like a sheet of glass: hard until the first crack appears, then the faintest nudge can shatter it.”

Canaris sighed. “Practically speaking, Mein Führer, the British Empire is presently unshakable. Even if we did conquer Britain -- which has not been done in a thousand years -- her fleet and government could simply flee out of reach to Canada and from there continue the war in perpetuity. It would take much more than a nudge to shatter such a --”

The Warlord waved away his concerns with one hand. “I do not believe it. The British Empire is a shaky giant. The struggles in Ireland, India and several other places for independence prove this. There is not union among them, at least politically speaking, but rather constant contention between the Mother Island and the Dominions, whose populations outnumber England’s as nine to one.”

The Foreign Minister had begun to shake his head. “I must agree with Admiral Canaris. The diplomatic realities must be observed --”

“No.” Hitler’s eyes at once looked distant, almost wistful. “The Romans, maybe. They had no serious rivals in the centuries after Carthage. It was only internal rot, and the disintegrating effect of Christian religion that brought about her fall. But the British Empire is already weakened, and faces many strong rivals. She must rely upon diplomacy for survival, as her military strength is no longer sufficient. This is why I say that a single crack -- perhaps through some political happening -- can irreversibly cripple it. Perhaps, even --” the Führer suddenly rounded on Scholl. “You are taking this down, yes?”

He had been taking the notes mechanically, lulled out of his wits by the Warlord’s meandering lecture. “I -- yes. Yes, all of it. Continue, Mein Führer.”

“Perhaps, I was about to say, there is an opportunity for such a political happening. At present, the tensions in the Near East lie under the surface, but could be aroused by something monumental. From Casablanca to Bengal -- the agitations are stirring, and the British Crown tries desperately to prevent an explosion, a spark that would set the Empire ablaze. As long as Germany is at war with Britain, all efforts must be made to inflame the entire Mohammedan world.”

“Duly noted,” Canaris said.

Scholl noticed von Küchler’s baton slip into the air. The Warlord acknowledged him.

“I am concerned, Mein Führer, about the timeline which you propose for the invasion of the British Isles. If the war is not won in three or four years, we can invade then, but with much greater chance of success. Underprepared the British may be, but the Wehrmacht must recover from its losses.”

Hitler shook his head. “The losses in France were much lighter than expected. Therefore, much of the manpower that might otherwise have gone to replacements can be devoted to the creation of new Army divisions. Pilots and sailors, too, are being trained as quickly as possible. War production is continuing at full capacity. Naturally, though, the increased size of the Armed Forces over the coming years will surely create bureaucratic and logistical obstacles, especially in the execution of complex operations requiring concerted action between services.

“For an undertaking such as an invasion of Britain, a grand reorganization of the Wehrmacht must be effected. To successfully make the crossing, air, sea and land forces must work together, under a single strategic command with an understanding of the entire picture of such an operation. For this reason, I shall sign orders to the effect of consolidating the high commands of the services -- OKH, OKL and OKM with the Grand General Staff apparatus. These shall be combined with the War Ministry’s executive body into a single command with total control of the Wehrmacht.”

Clearing his throat, the Führer sat down. “In summation, then, the course which is hereby set for the Reich is as follows. Autarky is to be set as a national priority, as well as general preparedness for a British blockade. All nations other than Britain, France and the Soviet Union -- Germany’s present enemies -- are to be brought into sympathy with Germany by political means, and at all costs kept out of sympathy with the Allies. These three nations, however, should be permanently undone before peace is settled for. England is to be invaded as soon as practical, which entails military buildup, transport and shipping buildup and command reorganization. Finally, all efforts must be made to escalate war in the Mediterranean and spark unrest in the Empire so as to divert forces from the British Isles… Scholl, please see to it that a memorandum to this effect is circulated to everyone here as well as one to Bayerlein.”

“Yes, Mein Führer.”

By nightfall, preparations for the great Invasion of Britain had begun.

[trekaddict]

Simply awesome. Sealion in 1937? War with the SU in 1940?



Say, may I borrow this:

“The material and political costs of the war,” Hitler continued, rising once more, “whether that in the Mediterranean or an invasion of the British Isles, will force the Britain to her knees, and it is then that her Empire can be torn loose. It is like a sheet of glass: hard until the first crack appears, then the faintest nudge can shatter it.”

[Kurt_Steiner]

A new Armada is coming, Britain...

[trekaddict]

A new Armada is coming, Britain...

Clone Francis Drake immediately!

[dublish]

It always tickles me when Hitler gets something right that all his subordinates seem to miss.

How do you intend to escalate the situation in the Med? Air power is the only thing I see that you can contribute to the Italian war effort, but your bombers are already in very short supply.

[Ironhewer]

Ah, let them come and the British shall show them how utterly stupid Sealion is.

[TheHyphenated1]

Thanks for your patience, everyone!

trekaddict (1) - Thanks . And there are sure to be many surprises ahead... And borrow away!

Kurt_Steiner - Verily.

trekaddict (2) - If only, if only... As it is,

dublish - Yes, his instincts at times surpassed the logical thinking and ingrained caution of his generals... Especially in the early years. In game terms, escalation in the Mediterranean consists primarily of resource contributions to the Italian war effort and some uncharacteristically canny thinking by the Italian AI, which just have to be explained in narrative as having Germans at the bottom of it . While German fighters did fly in small numbers in the Mediterranean, nothing at a scale large enough to be represented by the game engine.

Ironhewer - You are the loudest cheerleader for the Reich's enemies... If only they could hear your encouragement.

[darthkommandant]

So the anchluss will not occur until the war is over?

[TheHyphenated1]

darthkommandant - Thanks for taking the time to comment! According to Adolf Hitler's word to Mussolini, that's correct. The question is: "Is Hitler consistently a man of his word?" If you need help on that one, ask the Poles or Soviets .

[trekaddict]

trekaddict (2) - If only, if only... As it is,

[TheHyphenated1]

trekaddict - Sorry. My browser crashed and I reloaded from a clipboarded version that I didn't notice was missing the completion of that sentence.

It should read:

If only, if only... As it is, Admiral Chatfield will have to do.