Alptraum (Nightmare)

[KLorberau]

Twin nephews as escort pilots.....Wunderbar! I think I missed it but is the Fuhrer's private plane also a jet? I forget what the Luftwaffe had in jet bombers at end of the war, but the ME262 is my all time favorite twin jet engine Luftwaffe fighter plane. And only two ME262's?? Seems like there should be more. Hope P51's from the USAAF dont pounce on them......

[TekcoR]

Is it me or having the two nephews to fly protecting Tristan looks to me as not being a random selection of pilots?

A random of selection of pilots for the mission to escort him to Berlin? No. This is a way to introduce Adolf and Erick Bopp who will play significant role in a later part of the story. Right now they will remain...interesting and semi-mysterious.

Twin nephews as escort pilots.....Wunderbar! I think I missed it but is the Fuhrer's private plane also a jet? I forget what the Luftwaffe had in jet bombers at end of the war, but the ME262 is my all time favorite twin jet engine Luftwaffe fighter plane. And only two ME262's?? Seems like there should be more. Hope P51's from the USAAF dont pounce on them......

The Focke-Wulf Fw 200 is a propeller plane. There was another plane I was going to choose, but this plane will work for the purpose that is going to unfold over the next few installments. As a small spoiler, the USAAF or the Soviets, or the RAF will not affect the trip to Berlin.

Currently, I have two installments written: "A Forced Hand" and "An Unexpected Face". Only one of these installments will be posted as they both lead down different rabbit holes in the plot line. After I catch some Zs (currently 12:47 am central time) I will post *ONE* of these installments. Stay tuned and let the speculation begin until then!

[TekcoR]

Alptraum
An Alternative History Affair
By TekcoR


A Forced Hand

The Focke-Wulf Fw 200 landed safely at Templehof; which had recently been designated a military airfield due to the increased frequency of Allied raids over eastern Germany. Templehof had proved valuable in producing great numbers of aircraft. I had been advised in a letter from Albert Speer, the Armaments Minister that recently production of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 D-11 series; which had increased armament and speed compared to earlier versions of the plane. I understood little about the air war; and left it to the experts. I cannot remember who gave me this analogy, but we had an equal or great number of variants of aircraft similar our panzers. To simply put it, there was no variant of that was being mass produced. Albert Speer had set to reorganize air production similar to how he had revolutionized the quality and quantity of panzers.

After we landed, we taxied for close to three minutes and then came to a halt half dozen meters away from an awaiting delegation who had three Kübelwagens. Waiting for the stairs to be lowered, I could notice there was Feldmarschall Guderian, alongside Julius Ringel, General Model, commander of the Armeegruppe Center on the Eastern Front, and General Rundstedt, the commander of Armeegruppe Süd on the Eastern Front. After the stairs had been lowered and secured I exited the stairs to a warm, sunny and devastated Berlin. The airports above ground level structures had been devastated by Allied bombing efforts. Extensive repairs had been done, but it seemed hodge-podge with scrap metal plugging otherwise gaping holes in buildings. My eyes returned from their scanning of the surrounding area, and in the third Kübelwagen sat my old commanding officer, General Fromm of the Home Army.

Two companies of soldiers of the infantry garrison unit stationed nearby had been called out to provide protection. I had not noticed earlier that the soldiers had come to attention while I was scanning the horizon. A tingling feeling went down my spine, as I thought of myself a Caesar returning from campaign to the citizens of the Eternal City. I could view myself as the leader of a free from National Socialism Germany; yet there remained numerous obstacles to achieving such a goal. The primary objective was the removal of Hitler, but after him remained were the other henchmen, Goring; Hanke; Bormann; and other various lower-tiered leaders who would come out after the Führer’s death.

Snapping back from delusions of grandeur, I began walking forward to meet my technical superior, Feldmarschall Guderian. I had debated about changing into my Heer uniform in the plane, but decided against it as the Führer would no doubt want to see his most able general at the time decked out in regalia of his organization. “Feldmarschall Guderian,” I snapped to attention, and presented the Führer salute quickly followed by the now quasi-mandatory, “Heil Hitler!”

Guderian’s face turned to a smile of comfort, as he returned the quasi-mandatory greeting. He motioned his arm towards the other generals. “I know you have met the Chief of the Army, Julius Ringel.”

“I remember,” I said extending my hand to greet him; which he met with his own hand. After three seconds we released, moving down the line.

“I am not sure if you have personally met General Model and General Rundstedt, but they have both flown here from their respective headquarters much like you have Tristan.” I exchanged a handshake with Model and Rundstedt before turning to Fromm who I needed no introduction to and gave him a handshake which he seemed hesitant to accept until he did five seconds after offered.

I did not expect this welcoming party, which had caused my doubts about my personal meeting with the Führer to get in the process of being laid to rest. I did not know the purpose of this impromptu gathering; but I did not like the feeling I was getting. “Feldmarschall Guderian, what is the purpose of this?” I said rather bluntly. I knew Guderian would take no offense, as he had come to understand my style – I did not like to be left out of the blue for long.

Guderian looked me in the eyes and cleared his throat. “I did not want to keep you out of the loop for as long as I have Tristan, but the orders for Operation Valkyrie have been going out for the past twenty minutes. The regime of Adolf Hitler and his cronies will end today. We are gathered here today Tristan to march into the Führer’s bunker under peaceful guise and force him to understand that we cannot allow him to continue to let Germany be pillaged. We must negotiate surrender to the Allies regardless of cost.”

My face turned bright red, shocked that I perhaps had inspired fellow generals to resist and overthrow the Führer. “Are you with us Tristan?” asked Model who perhaps sensed that I did not feel quite comfortable with the situation.

“Yes,” I said. “Yes, I am with the plot to overthrow Adolf Hitler the Führer.”

“Then it is settled,” said Model, who nodded to Fromm, signaling for him to issue out additional orders to carry out Operation Valkyrie. My company entered the Kübelwagens; I sat with Guderian in the first of three. I motioned for Rhiley to remain with the plane. I barely had time to get the order through before we began speeding off towards the Reichschancellery, which was in the process of being surrounded.

Troops of Operation Valkyrie begin protecting important buildings and locations within Berlin.

[Kurt_Steiner]

The time is come! The bloody swine is going to pay for his crimes!

And Fromm is "in" from the very beginning! Oh dear... That was unexpected.

[Raaritsgozilla]

Oh it is finally happening! Hitler is gone.

But who is the unexpected face in the next update? Rhiley :ja:

[TekcoR]

The time is come! The bloody swine is going to pay for his crimes!

And Fromm is "in" from the very beginning! Oh dear... That was unexpected.

Fromm being "in" from the beginning is questionable still. His hand has been forced here, very similar to Tristan's. But he will be in the confrontation scene; which I'm putting the pieces together in resolving.

Oh it is finally happening! Hitler is gone.

But who is the unexpected face in the next update? Rhiley :ja:

"The Unexpected Face" name has been changed to "The Unexpected Confrontation". I think everybody will enjoy and be thoroughly shocked at what happens.

[Saithis]

Oooh, me likey! I just hope this isn't some kind of Führer plot to root out traitors, although I'm expecting something a little trickier and clever than that to happen.

Still, if they pull this off successfully, or if things go sour and Hitler is killed somehow, it'd be rather interesting to see Military-State Germany trying to negotiate some kind of peace before it's too late.

[TekcoR]

Oooh, me likey! I just hope this isn't some kind of Führer plot to root out traitors, although I'm expecting something a little trickier and clever than that to happen.

Still, if they pull this off successfully, or if things go sour and Hitler is killed somehow, it'd be rather interesting to see Military-State Germany trying to negotiate some kind of peace before it's too late.

It isn't necessarily a plot by the Führer to root out traitors. You shouldn't be disappointed. I myself am interested in which way I will go about deciding what happens. I've done hours of research for this moment and still don't have an idea on which option I fully want to flesh out. All we can pretty much guess at this point, myself included, is, whoever is at the helm of Germany at the end of the day, will have to get their act together.

[General_Hoth]

Unconditionnal surrender being defended by Model, Guderian and Runstedt? That can't be!

[TekcoR]

Unconditionnal surrender being defended by Model, Guderian and Runstedt? That can't be!

I'll be indicating why these generals have been chosen throughout. A lot more is going on than Tristan has let on or knows about. Earlier today I began the work on the next installment; which should take quite awhile in terms of hours dedicated to it.

The next few installments will be quite...epic. I use that word because I literally dreamed of being Tristan Schnack last night, and I was in Hitler's bunker and yelled at the end. Kind of scary!

[TekcoR]

Alptraum
An Alternative History Affair
By TekcoR


An Unexpected Confrontation

The convoy of Kübelwagens halted at an impromptu checkpoint in front of the Brandenburg Gate. Ringel had been sitting with Guderian and myself in the lead Kübelwagen and presented a paper to allow our party through the manned point. While halted I caught a good glimpse of the insignias worn by the troops garrisoning the checkpoint. Though they wore a black uniform, the nearby Panzer 4 indicated they were not Schutzstaffel, but rather they were of the Panzer-Division ‘Berlin’. The division originally hailed from an ad-hoc of regiments thrown together during the tumultuous days of 1942. Berlin at that point, seemed like it would become a city to be defended to the last. Though the front never got closer to Berlin, the ad-hoc units eventually coalesced into a division.

After reading the paper, the soldier motioned for the barrier to be raised and we continued on towards the Reichschancellery. The streets were being hastily lined with hundreds of soldiers, fortifying key choke points and street corners. The scene was reminiscent of two and a half years ago, the city was heavily sandbagged and hasty trenches and earthworks had been prepared for what seemed like an inevitable Russian assault. Except now, on August 16th, 1944 there were only three divisions assigned to the protection of the city. The aforementioned Panzer-Division ‘Berlin’, assisted by Infantry-Division ‘Brandenburg’ and Infantry-Division ‘Great Elector’, combined for a total combat strength of 18,000 soldiers.

During my tenure as General Fromm’s Chief of Staff of the Reserve Army, I had gotten to know a handful of men quite well, including their generals and other officers. However, the three generals I know have all been relieved of duties because of the Führer’s paranoia. I had been a guest at numerous dinners during my tenure, and often the dinners were delayed, cancelled or interrupted by the Führer’s demands for frequent status updates. I had dined with Erwin von Witzleben, the commander of the Berlin garrison forces the night before leaving Berlin by train. I received a letter two weeks later – dated the day after supper – stating he had been relieved of command for failure to stay in contact with the Führer. I doubted the story, until Guderian confirmed a week later in our correspondence.

The Führers erratic behavior had been the cause for numerous generals being relieved of command throughout the war. Guderian himself was relieved of command as Chief of Staff by getting in an arguing match with the Führer over the uselessness of the offensive that recaptured Bordeaux and pushes the Allies south back to the Pyrenees. I later learned that the position of Chief of Staff had been offered to Rundstedt, who refused the position; which was then refused by Model hours later. Guderian was reinstated the next day as Chief of Staff, under great reluctance from Hitler – who was not willing to part with Model and Rundstedt, who threatened to resign if Guderian was not reinstated. I never learned of the argument until well after the events had transpired.

Before I knew it the convoy had arrived in front of the Reichschancellery building; which had its own protections of four companies of soldiers and two late model Panzer 4s. In the center of the stairs, at the bottom of them, I noticed a face I had not expected to be present. After departing from the Chief of Staff of the Reserve Army, I had received numerous complaints that my replacement was abusive, abrasive, blunt, cowardly, dastardly, and power-hungry, just to quote a few of the letters. The complaints simmered down after the generals got accustomed to my replacement’s handling of the affairs – though I still received an occasional letter of complaint. However, within the past two weeks, my headquarters had been flooded with 31 letters expressing various levels of concern about the erratic and vague behavior of the replacement.

It was hard not to notice my replacement there, he stood out, not because of his features but because there were no other around him for ten meters. I was attempting to avoid the inevitable in having to greet him after I exited the Kübelwagen. “Good morning, Herr Schnack,” he said rather politely.

I grunted, hoping to elicit a more favorable greeting. When that failed, I began to speak, “Heil Hitler! Good morning, Colonel.” The necessary Führer salute was performed during the first two words.

From the look on his face, I could tell my replacement was rather uncomfortable and distraught by the response. I stared into his eyes, and patiently waited for his reaction. With no reaction after ten uneasy seconds I continued, “Need I remind the Colonel that it is tradition to address a superior officer properly and accurately?”

His eyes flinched, looking towards General Fromm, then to Guderian, Model and Rundstedt who all confirmed what I said non-verbally. “Heil Hitler!” he said with great vigor while performing the customary salute. “Good morning SS-Gruppenführer Schnack!”

I smiled, and held back tears and bursting into laughter. I had personally recommended the man to the position he currently held since my departure. I had brought him into the resistance movement against the Führer and the regime. I had witnessed his passion and undying resolve to the mission. However; his traits that made him an excellent person would also be his eventual undoing. “Thank you, Colonel Stauffenberg.”

After the brief and trivial confrontation; which confirmed my suspicions of the events going on, we gathered and began walking up the steps of the Reichschancellery.

[Raaritsgozilla]

Aha... interesting. So the Count makes an appearance, but as a bit of a douche?

Nice

[Roguim]

Wow, great history, nicely written, i simply couldn't stop reading.
Subscribed

[Kurt_Steiner]

Stauffenberg appears.

"Cowardly?" Shit, that Alt world has really turned into the worse possible options.

[TekcoR]

Aha... interesting. So the Count makes an appearance, but as a bit of a douche?

Nice

Well, Count Stauffenberg is a bit different than in our time line. Tristan and him don't get along; which was the intent of the last few paragraphs of "An Unexpected Confrontation".

Wow, great history, nicely written, i simply couldn't stop reading.
Subscribed

Welcome to the Nightmare! Hope you continue to enjoy the Nightmare and the writing, and history continues to thrill you.

Stauffenberg appears.

"Cowardly?" Shit, that Alt world has really turned into the worse possible options.

Well...there are some bad events going on. However "Cowardly", is what somebody else describes Stauffenberg as. Who? I'm not exactly sure, and I don't think Tristan will tell us just yet. Perhaps we will see.

[TekcoR]

Alptraum
An Alternative History Affair
By TekcoR


Freedom, Righteousness, Oath, Might and Maker

The Reich Chancellery was a magnificent building that had been finished exterior construction before the beginning of the war; and the interior decorations completely installed before the surprise attack. The Führers favorite architect, Albert Speer had overseen the design and construction of the building was handsomely rewarded for the effort.

On December 18th, 1942, Speer was awarded as the position of Armaments Minister, which was a monumental task at the end of the year. Factories that the Reich would nominally count on were in lands being occupied by the Soviets. There was a shortage of male workers to keep production of vital armaments around the clock, and production of consumer goods was near level with that of peacetime. With keen awareness of organization and priority, Speer cut down the level of consumer goods, and worked with factories to employ females in shifts to continue production into the evening and night.

His influence extended beyond the factory floor. Speer has collaborated with the High Command and me numerous times in standardizing production of armaments – most notably the construction of heavy panzers favored by the Führer. I was privy to information that Speer had personally informed the Fuhrer of the cancellation of his special projects, the gigantic Lowe and Maus panzers; which would be unsuitable for the style of warfare that was being faced. Guderian and I were informed that the Führer was disheartened by the loss of his projects; but since it came from his favorite person and adviser, he could understand the necessity of the request.

Speer had become a sought after commodity, and it was my prerogative to use the main who was rumored to be a possible successor to the Führer to assist the advantage of the conspiracy. Discussions within the conspirators was always, hazy at best, but nobody could exactly determine who would best suit the German industrial needs – the answer always came back to the man who currently occupied the situation. Ludwig Beck, the head of the conspiracy simply stated that we had to keep Speer as a “will work on it” basis. However; I had a feeling that if the new government were to call on the man, he would answer without question.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We continued up the steps, reaching the landing entrance and pushed open the heavy wooden door. I did not know what to expect. I knew through this door was the spacious marble gallery; which 145 meters long. I wondered if perhaps Hitler’s loyal guards would be in the gallery, ready to shoot intruders. I figured it was no secret what was going outside, so the likelihood of being shot felt high. We entered the gallery, and there was utter silence except for some faint sounds of weeping and sniffs. The fear of being shot and killed receded from my gut.

I had worked my way to the front of the group and was a few steps ahead of the nearest person, Stauffenberg. The weeping and sniffling sounds remained, and seemed to grow ever slightly in volume. I looked to my right, and did not see the source of the sound. I repeated the motion but to my left and saw a man whose head was lowered, being supported in his palms, elbows resting on his knees. Further intrigued by seeing a man crying inside the Chancellery, I detoured from the group and the immediate plans to storm the Führerbunker to the person of interest.

I noticed that the cries became softer and less frequent as I drew closer. The sound of boots against marble is noticeable, and alerted him to somebody approaching. The sound also alerted me that the rest of my party had noticed my movement and were following suit. I halted three feet in front of the man, and looked down at him. His attire seemed rather familiar, I knew this man.

“Speer?” I said rather quietly. Increasing volume I asked a second question. “What are you doing here?”

“I…” he looked up, sensing that he and I were not alone. His face had turned red from the weeping. “I told him everything. I could not do it the coward’s way,” he said the tears and sniffling hinting at returning. A tear appeared to run down his left cheek a second later.

Our faced turned the same color as Speer’s. The betrayers had been betrayed. I completed an about face and saw Stauffenberg slowly reaching for his pistol. Rundstedt, Guderian, and Model were staring at Fromm; which surprised me. I then noticed an odd movement from Fromm that racked my nerves.

“You are all under arrest,” Fromm said at first with a rasp in his voice. “You are all under arrest!” he repeated but with more confidence.

I still faced Stauffenberg and noticed he had finished retrieving his Luger. It was not pointed at either of the party, but downwards. From his words, it did seem like he noticed Stauffenberg. “Schnack!” ordered Fromm. “Turn around and face me.” I followed his order with only a slight delay, to confirm to Stauffenberg I would not reveal he had his weapon prepared.

“Speer, get with the traitors!” demanded Fromm. I wondered how Fromm knew I was a traitor. Perhaps, I along with Speer were being lodged with the group based on the circumstances. As far as I knew, none of my correspondence had been compromised.

Fromm had taken interest in watching Speer reluctantly at first get up from the wooden bench. With his interest divided, Stauffenberg slipped behind Fromm and methodically raised the Luger to his head. “Good bye Herr General,” he said with a wide grin showing. The single shot forced blood and skin splatter onto Stauffenberg face. Fromm seemed to slowly lurch forward before gaining momentum and causing a thunderous thud. He landed an inch in front of Guderian’s boots; which amazingly as far as I saw avoided blood.

We all stared at the motionless Fromm as blood began to pool on the floor from his wound. Stauffenberg had wiped his face with a handkerchief from his breast pocket, afterwards throwing it down to Fromm’s corpse. Speer came over to me and whispered into my ear and began walking off towards a hallway. I followed suit, indicating to the group that I would rendezvous before the showdown in Hitler’s room. We parted ways, with Stauffenberg distraught at my departure. I could sense that something did not seem to add up.

[Raaritsgozilla]

More betrayal, first the Sovs, then from within!!

To be honest, Fromm sould have been picked up on, Tristian had his doubts at first, and to kill Hitler you will be needing 100% loyalty

[KLorberau]

WOW. Just when I thought Valkerie was going to succeed.......Betrayel by Fromm. The idiot always trying to play both sides of the game.....But not anymore. Stauffenberg described as being a bit of a boob.....but then saves the plot??? Hopefully this is the case....but then again...........................we shall see.

PS......I thought the blubbering wimp crying away was going to be dear ole Adolf waiting to be taken away....but it was Speer......I love the way you throw all of the historical figures into your story....Keep up the great work!!

[Kurt_Steiner]

Speer, wonderful minister, useless conspirator. In OTL as in this ATL... Art mimicks life, it seems.

[TekcoR]

More betrayal, first the Sovs, then from within!!

To be honest, Fromm sould have been picked up on, Tristian had his doubts at first, and to kill Hitler you will be needing 100% loyalty

It really depends here. Fromm being picked on that is. I think you will understand why Stauffenberg is being picked on - it is justified next installment.

WOW. Just when I thought Valkerie was going to succeed.......Betrayel by Fromm. The idiot always trying to play both sides of the game.....But not anymore. Stauffenberg described as being a bit of a boob.....but then saves the plot??? Hopefully this is the case....but then again...........................we shall see.

PS......I thought the blubbering wimp crying away was going to be dear ole Adolf waiting to be taken away....but it was Speer......I love the way you throw all of the historical figures into your story....Keep up the great work!!

Agreed! The only side Fromm is playing now is for death. I'm glad I had you fooled for a bit about the 'blubbering wimp'. I watched "The Downfall" for an uncounted number of times now, and Speer to me is a man of honor. It seems only "right" that he tells Hitler he has betrayed him. But there will be more about that next installment which is aptly titled "Shrouds of Secrecy".

Speer, wonderful minister, useless conspirator. In OTL as in this ATL... Art mimicks life, it seems.

As stated above, we will see more about Speer. Perhaps he won't be so useless after all.

As a spoiler, at least ONE more person dies from the group listed below. I have already ruled out Tristan Schnack, because well...the story is told from his perspective.

Adolf Hitler
Albert Speer
Colonel Stauffenberg
Field Marshal Guderian
General Model
General Rundstedt
A Random Character Not Yet Introduced

Until then! May the Nightmare haunt you!