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Cancer Cure

The dangers of allowing Hitler to have unimpeded control of Germany passed most observers by until it was too late.  However, there was one nation that did understand the warning; Poland.  The Poles quietly suggested a pre-emptive strike to the French in late 1933, but were rebuffed, which forced them to sign a non-aggression agreement.  Pause for hollow laughter.

French politics during that period were very much in flux.  Delay the polish offer or move it forward and a very different power structure in France might receive it.  Let’s assume that a more nationalist French government is in power when the Poles make their offer and, as the French are in economic trouble, they decide that a ‘short victorious war’ is exactly what they need. 

The British may or may not be involved.  Given the trouble in Manchuria and the economic problems, I suspect that they will only offer tacit support and some arms supplies.  Anyway, the French and the Poles deliver a joint ultimation to Adolf, demanding that Germany disarm, crease constructing weapons and remove their nazi government.  Hitler is not going to agree and he orders suicidal defence. 

The Germans were limited, at the time, to ten divisions of regular troops, with no tanks and only a handful of outdated aircraft.  The French will outnumber and outgun them in almost every category.  On the other hand, there will be massive partisan activity in Germany (there was major passive resistance when the French occupied the Rhineland in the 1920s) and the Nazi organisations (mainly street thug level) such as the SS and SA.  It won’t take much effort for Hitler to inspire fanatical resistance. 

The French and Poles launch an attack into Germany.  The Germans concentrate on defending against the Poles and manage to score a few small victories, while leaving only a small force against the French.  The Poles get more careful and occupy East Prussia, while poking along the German border.  The French occupy the Rhineland and head eastwards, although they have constant supply problems and face partisan attacks. 

The German organised defence ends within a month.  The French and Poles are too numerous and better armed, which means that the Germans have got to spread their forces too thin.  The French have problems and are forced to keep troops in the rear, while using brutal anti-partisan tactics.  However, Berlin falls to the Poles after a short fight and the Poles capture Hitler, keeping him as a hostage.   

The German government collapses with the loss of Berlin.  Small units go underground and continue to hit French forces.  Others surrender or head home.  The French escenslly occupy most of Germany, while the Poles have the reminder and annex East Prussia.  The Nazi party is wiped out. 

This has long-term effects.  The French and Poles have to keep occupation troops in their areas for years.  There is a constant bloody sore as they lose troops and lose world favour as news of atrocities gets out.  With the Nazi’s gone; the German communists emerge as the leaders of the resistance, fighting the French while maintaining links to the French communists. 

The most likely outcome is no world war two or at least a significantly delayed war.  Without Germany, Japan would probably not attack the combined US/UK/USSR powers, as all three would be notably stronger.  The French would probably get tired of constant draining partisan warfare and would start a withdrawal from Germany (annexing the Rhineland) in 1940ish.  The Germans would probably be left with a number of puppet governments instead of a strong central government.  Poland would have a more modern army and a strong alliance with France, which would allow it to deter the USSR. 

In the long run, the Germans would probably rise again.  France would have its hands tied down with warfare in Algeria and Poland would be wary of the USSR.  Can you see a WW2 fought with nukes?

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