We must go west to go East.

[Lordmars]

I have started reading a new book ‘The Second World War: A Military History’ by Gordon Corrigan
He feels that the Wall Street crash and the subsequent damage to the German economy meant that ‘the rise of extreme German nationalism could not be contained.’ He feels that ultimately the Second World War was inevitable, without Hitler it would have looked different (major example probably no Holocaust) but ultimately the economic woes of the 1930’s and the humiliation of Versailles meant that Germany was on a road to war.
It is in that vein that I am writing this AAR. In my story Hitler is killed during his Munich rising. This means that the Weimar republic remains intact for a while. This group of people (largely the planned government of the July 20th plot) have essentially decided to refight the First World War, but better.

Introduction​

Its 1936, a small group of disgruntled Germans have staged a coup against the Weimar Republic. Their aim is to restore glory and honour to the German people, and expand into the east, establishing a German Empire (a few overseas colonies would be nice.)
Head of State: Ludwig Beck
Head of Government: Carl Friedrich Goerdeler
Foreign Minister: Ulrich von Hassell
Armament Minister: Albert Speer
Minister of Security: : Eugen Bolz
Minister of Intelligence: Friedrich Olbricht
Chief of Staff: Hans Schmitt
Chief of Army Franz Halder
Chief of Navy: Admiral Karl Donitz
Chief of Air: Robert Ritter von Greim

1st January 1936
After Celebrating New Years, the new government (only in power since 15th of December 1935) gets down to business. They decide that their priorites for the month of January shall be to establish an alliance with Finland, Italy and Portugal. To provide the Armed Forces with more equipment, and to increase research into land warfare.

 

[Lordmars]

6th July 1936
The German Army and People celebrate the Re-Occupation of the Rhineland. The past few months have been busy. Several trade deals were created with Brazil, Bulgaria, Italy, Hungary, Latvia, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. These transported out surplus energy in return for much needed hard currency. On the 1st of February, Japan began making preparations to form a closer relationship with Germany. On the 1st of March the government began an Anti Aircraft defence project and on the 9th of June an industrialization project was begun. On the 28th of May Italy annexed Ethiopa.
The leaders of Germany have been discussing their plans. They feel that in order to expand into the East (a long held dream of Germans) Germany must neutralize Britain and France. Discussions ultimately arrive at the Schlieffen plan. It is felt that with the modern weapons of war this plan can come into being. The opening phase of the war shall see the German war machine swoop through the Low Countries with tanks, close air support and paratroopers then into France, around their Maginot Line, and capture Paris, like they did in 1870, like they should have done in 1914. With France neutralized Germany then must defeat Britain. In the First War, Britain defeated Germany (they feel) by using blockade and while this tactic could have possibly been defeated had the fleet actually put up a fight (after all did Germany not win Jutland?) the Kaiser did not want to risk his fleet. Now however Germany has the chance to starve Britain. The plan is to use Donitz’s submarines to destroy the British merchant fleet and strategic bombers to burn Britain. If the British do not give in under this siege then they shall storm the British fortress using paratroopers and amphibious landings capture London and force the British Empire to its knees. Then Germany shall have a free hand in the East.

 

[Rabidus]

I will be following this one, nice start.

Ps, may i recommend that you change the flag to that of the weimar republic.

 

[Lordmars]

Thank you, this is my first AAR and I’m not quite sure how it will go (for example I am going to try to avoid the invasion of Poland in ’39)
On the Imperial Flag, and why I’ll keep it
These guys are nationalists, most of who fought in World War One, and they aim to restore and expand the German Empire. Additionally many non NAZI nationalist parties used the old Imperial flag, and the NAZIs themselves use the colours.
“Following the declaration of the German republic in 1918 and the ensuing revolutionary period, the so-called Weimar Republic was founded in August 1919. To form a continuity between the anti-autocratic movement of the 19th century and the new democratic republic, the old black-red-gold tricolour was designated as the national German flag in the Weimar Constitution in 1919.[27] As a civil ensign, the black-white-red-tricolour was retained, albeit with the new tricolour in the top left corner.
This change was not welcomed by many people in Germany, who saw this new flag as a symbol of humiliation following Germany's defeat in World War I. In the Reichswehr, the old colours continued to be used in various forms. Many conservatives wanted the old colours to return, while monarchists and the far right were far more vocal with their objections, referring to the new flag with various derogatory names (see Gold or yellow? above). As a compromise, the old black-white-red flag was reintroduced in 1922 to represent German diplomatic missions abroad.[9]” from Wikipedia on the German Flag.

 

[Lordmars]

17th of July 1937
The past few months have seen Germany busily preparing for war. On the 6th of November 1936 Germany secured and alliance with Japan.
On the 17th of February the German government decides to aid the Spanish nationalists in their fight against the forces of communism. On the 11th of March the government instituted the three year draft. On the 3rd of June the first rocket site was constructed. On the 23rd of June Hungary joined the German-Japanese alliance now known as the Axis. On the 3rd of July Italy and Portugal joined the Axis. The German Foreign Service then began attempts to lure Romania, the Spanish Nationalists and Bulgaria into the alliance. Also July it was discovered that New Zealand had promised the British government support in the event of war. The government is now considering a rapid strike west as Intelligence suggests that German forces are considerably stronger than the forces arrayed against Germany in the West. However others are pressing for caution. Though General Beck feels that Germany should strike while the west is still unprepared, but is Germany ready?

 

[unmerged(216158)]

neat go germany go!

 

[superjames1992]

Interesting premise! I shall be a follower!

 

[Lordmars]

Having quite a bit of trouble with the internet so Im going to have to take a break until I get it sorted...

 

[unmerged(24320)]

Lordmars: Having quite a bit of trouble with the internet so I'm going to have to take a break until I get it sorted...

good luck with that ! !

looking forward to more of this excellent AAR ! !

 

[Mezriss]

I'm really enjoying this, makes me want to do a Germany AAR of my own.