Main Stratagy For Germany

[Marfach]

I've heard it said repeatedly, though admittedly not seen proof, that Germany's economy was unsustainable, holding off for a couple of years might well have led to economic collapse. I believe this in part because the Germans themselves knew that they weren't ready for the war, it's possible that Hitler was simply over-eager, but I feel that's also reasonable to say that it could be because of a desperate need to start things before an impending disaster.

The German economy was beginning to implement price fixing and other emergency measures by the time the war broke out, however, they could likely have propped it up until 1941 which would have left the Italians in a significantly better economic state. What happened, possibly, is Hitler genuinely thought the Allies were so war-averse that they would concede Danzig and he effectively backed himself into a corner.

Agreed, though I think IRL North Africa was promised to the Italians, which would be a fair reason for why the Germans wouldn't want to expend all their energy there. I would be quite happy as Germany to take North Africa and then turn to the Soviets afterwards. The added oil combined with extra time to build-up could be extremely valuable.

IRL I think the Germans over-estimated the Italians and under-estimated British resolve. The Nazis expended a lot of energy and resources trying to attack the British Isles and had they instead adopted a defensive stance along the Atlantic wall, sent the Afrika Korps to Benghazi sooner and consolidated their position in Europe they might have been more successful. In the end I think Germany was doomed to fail in this war but as a player this is the path I would be taking.

I doubt it personally. From what I've seen it looks like Stalin was kind of a coward, or at least very conservative, in foreign relations. The Soviets didn't really have the ability to challenge the Germans in '41 and probably not in '42 either. Even with wartime economy they didn't start really pushing back until '43. Granted they likely would have been more effective than they were in '41 simply because there would have been some sort of planning instead of just throwing units at the front.

Stalin had plans to have the Soviet Union war-ready by 1943 IIRC which is why he pursued non-aggression pacts in Europe throughout the 30's. He was not a coward, simply calculated. As someone once said the great Irony of the 20th century is the most paranoid man in history only trusted one other person, and it was the most dishonest man in history.

 

[Kriegersson]

West Germany did pretty well after WWII, and West Germany's was much smaller than Germany in 1936. So obviously peace is the best strategy for Germany.
1. Stabilise the economy, build up industries
2. Be more friendly to neighbours, UK and USA, don't befriend Japan
3. Maybe Anschluss, because Austria needs Germany's help
4. Transition back from dictatorship to democracy.
5. ???
6. Profit

Then, when (if?) Soviets attack, join the Allies to defend Poland/Finland/whatever. While defending Poland, take Polish Corridor for safekeeping. That results in a super Germany (around the size of Germany in 1914 -- Austria instead of Silesia seems fair). Once Soviets are dealt with, demilitarise and go back to making cars, heavy machinery, ships and beer.

 

[HarkovAdm]

Unholy Alliance with USSR and "Make the world tremble"

 

[sebirean6]

You would have to capture Canada first. It was a sovereign nation. Britain falling wouldn't mean Canada falling. I am not saying it would take a lot but you would still have to fight there as well.

Canada enters the war on the allies side, however, so as long as it is occupied it should be fair game in the peace treaty. Island hop over there via iceland and greenland I suppose, some naval and air capability would be necessary for invading the UK anyway, might as well do a quick priority shift to Canada.

 

[fredgiblet]

The question is: Does Stalin planned to attack in '43? Wasnt USRR preapring to war in 42?
The thing is that sudden attack of German catched USRR off guard. Before they was ready. That allowed some succes.

A couple of points:

1) I believe they were re-organizing and re-arming, yes, but so was everyone else including the US.

2) If Germany wasn't on the ropes then the Soviets likely wouldn't have launched a pre-emptive strike, simply because they didn't have that much reason to. In '41 Germany looked unstoppable, in '42 assuming there was no Barbarossa that wouldn't have changed, in '43 they likely would still have had an advantage over the USSR unless the Soviets went full war economy despite being in peace.

3) Morale-wise the difference between a Soviet army launching a pre-emptive strike and one where people are fighting back an invader would likely be very important.

4) All this goes out the window if there's a successful D-Day type situation. In that case Stalin would likely throw in with the Allies just to grab what he could before they took Germany out.

 

[fredgiblet]

What happened, possibly, is Hitler genuinely thought the Allies were so war-averse that they would concede Danzig and he effectively backed himself into a corner.

Quite likely, also he probably figured, correctly, that France and Britain wouldn't be able to do terribly much to him even if they did join in.

IRL I think the Germans over-estimated the Italians and under-estimated British resolve.

The Italian part is pretty obvious. Germany would likely have been better off with Italy as an enemy than an ally. Having to bail them out in Greece and NA sapped a lot of strength.

The Nazis expended a lot of energy and resources trying to attack the British Isles and had they instead adopted a defensive stance along the Atlantic wall, sent the Afrika Korps to Benghazi sooner and consolidated their position in Europe they might have been more successful. In the end I think Germany was doomed to fail in this war but as a player this is the path I would be taking.

Agreed, one of my favored "What-if?" scenarios is what if the Germans made nice with the Brits? What if they dropped bombs with leaflets saying how much they didn't want to fight the Brits? Offered up prisoners of war with no questions asked? COULD they have ended the war with Britain?

Stalin had plans to have the Soviet Union war-ready by 1943 IIRC which is why he pursued non-aggression pacts in Europe throughout the 30's. He was not a coward, simply calculated. As someone once said the great Irony of the 20th century is the most paranoid man in history only trusted one other person, and it was the most dishonest man in history.

War-ready doesn't necessarily mean he planned to actually invade. Keep in mind that he's calculating, which means if the chances of success aren't high he's probably not gonna take the risk.

West Germany did pretty well after WWII, and West Germany's was much smaller than Germany in 1936. So obviously peace is the best strategy for Germany.

The Fourth Reich has actually succeeded in conquering Europe.

 

[Fortes241]

When i Play Germany, i will capture France as soon as possible.
The same with Belgium, the Netherlands and Norway (maybe Sweden).
After that, i will try to get Spain and Italy to the Axis.
Then i capture Romania, my tanks needs oil.

When i have enough resources, i build tanks and attack russia (maybe in the finish-winter-war)
In this time i will have some interceptors and some mobile divisions (with the best equipment) to defend the coast against an invasion and bombers from England.


around the time i build a strong airforce and navy, becouse if the war in the east is over, i try to attack England.
I dont want to fight at 2 fronts at the same time, so i dont attack England with my Airforce, Navy or Paratroopers.
I will need so much troops and resources as possible, to defeat russia as quickly as possible and after that, i attack England with a powerfull Airforce (naval bombers, bombers ans
interceptor), with my powerfull Navy and a lot of paratroopers.

Thats my plan to liberate Europe from democracy.

 

[sebirean6]

Agreed, one of my favored "What-if?" scenarios is what if the Germans made nice with the Brits? What if they dropped bombs with leaflets saying how much they didn't want to fight the Brits? Offered up prisoners of war with no questions asked? COULD they have ended the war with Britain?

They could not. Churchill voiced the resolve of the British people quite eloquently, especially after the fall of France.

British history for almost 200 years up to that point has been guided by the general political aim of preventing one single dominant land power in Europe, they could not consider coexistence with such a power in 1940 either, especially with how untrustworthy this power was by that point.

Sure, Hitler made claims that he would guarantee the British Empire if they agreed to a peace, but he also said that the Sudetenland was his last land-grab, that the rest of Czechoslovakia would be guaranteed, that Poland would be guaranteed, and that's just up to that point, before he broke the non-aggression treaty with Stalin. The UK cannot trust another guarantee from such a regime, therefore they must fight it or lose their empire, if not today then tomorrow.