What if Germany had waited 5 more years to start their crap???
While the rest of the world slept: they're manufacturing Tigers, developing missiles, perfecting the jet fighter/bomber, making a nuclear bomb???
I'm interested in your opinion.
Thanks,
Pat
Interesting question.....the war itself spurred a lot of the technological advances, so it is very difficult to say just how much different things would have been on that front had Hitler invaded Poland in 1944 instead of 1939. The big question mark, of course, would be over the bomb, and who developed it first.
Japan's plans would not likely have been derailed by an inactive Germany; they had started their conquests long before.
Stalin's reaction to a seemingly complacent Germany? Hard to say. One can only imagine hat type of inroads he might have tried to establish during those hypothetical years of peace. If Hitler DID wait until 1944 to crank up the war machine, he may well have had many more serious challenges than he faced in 1939. With America already engaged in one front war in the Pacific, one could argue that they would be in a much greater position of strength (and willingness) to help counter any aggression from Hitler. This obviously would not present very good prospects for success.
I think its true to say that the war itself led to many technological advances and germany without expansion had problems with production. Were they not still limited by the outcome of ww1 and the conditions imposed on them. Of course it was these conditions that led to a frustrated germany with 10 million unemployed and it was Hitler that changed that and in so doing gained much respect from the public. Many were employed in construction i believe.The truth is Hitler could have been stopped in 39 had France/England honoured their treaty with Poland. A very thin line was left defending the Rhine at the time. I think many arms were used against France from when the Skoda works in Chekoslavakia was taken including the panzer 38t going from memory. If anyone is interested the book Bltzkrieg by Len Deighton is a fascinating read of the invasion of France and how unorginised the French were. At times when the luftwaffe were harrasing French positions with little opposition there were 2500 aa guns in storage and airfields with 70 or so fighters not being deployed.Lines of communication were poor as had to be passed through a chain of command and not all were linked via radio.The French had superior armour but used them piecemeal or without infantry support.When the Germans reached the river Meuse the french delayed time and time again in strengthing the defence of this position which could have halted the Blitzkrieg there and then.Deighton also has a book called fighter based on the battle of britian and that is a good read too.Im glad Hitler was stopped eventually as i shudder to think what may be now.Look what destruction he caused in 6 years.And yes his decisions to put 80% of rescources into rockets V1/V2 at penemunde research site (spelling?) instead of ME262 Jet Fighter was a decision made by a man bent on revenge. He wanted to Bomb USA with V2's and England was bombarded with the V1(Buzz Bomb) all to little effect.It was the change from military targets(airfields/factories) to civillian (bombing London) in the Battle of Britian that ultimately cost the luftwaffe dearly. The Japanese had their own agenda due to oil embargo imposed on them by USA and gaining independence by the capture of other territories.One cannot honour enough our forefathers who stopped these tyrants and this should never be forgotten. Hope my memory held up ok long time since reading things on this subject.Of course one should always know the difference between the germany army/navy/A force , in comparison with the Nazis and their atrocities. One must respect their fallen as well. Stalin is another Story. Was he any better than Hitler :?
The what ifs of WWII will be the topic of conversation over a drinf as long as we are to free to think, talk, and have a drink, for that matter!!
5 years delay -what if we had seen the emergence of a French Churchillian figure in say 1941? Would the pride of France have collapsed in three weeks?
What steps would Germany taken/been able to take to ensure oil supply?
One could go on forever.
KKR
I have certainly enjoyed reading the well thought out responces to my poll.
There are some serious and knowledgeable individuals participating in the contests offered on this site.
I wouldn't want it any other way.
Thank you gentlemen.
Pat