Cliffy B wrote:
Here's a brief overview of my alt history in Europe.
OK, that's just awesome reading!
For what it's worth, the type of alt histories that I like the best are those that depend on the least amount of change to trigger the alternate course of events. The "smallness" of the change is what makes it chillingly real. For example, an alt scenario where a giant asteroid smashes into the U.S. in 1941 and thereby decimates our production capacity, just doesn't do much for me because it's so implausible. But, something like the Japanese continuing their initial night naval sortie at Guadalcanal and destroying the unguarded transports instead of inexplicably turning back is the kind of razor's edge decision point that could have easily gone the other way, leading to an alt course of events. With that in mind, the assasination of Hitler by Rommel is highly entertaining but less likely than, say, the actual bomb plot having succeeded or Hitler simply deciding not to invade Russia when he did (you'd still have the "friendly" Russia you need without resorting to enormously different behavior and events). So, my suggestion is to find and focus on those events that with the least amount of change would produce your alternate path. Please don't take this as criticism, only a suggestion!
I like El Alamein as a pivotal point. You could easily extrapolate almost the same alt history without having to resort to Rommel killing Hitler (maybe allow Hitler to be killed later by the bomb plot to enable the alt timeline to continue). Remember, even with Hitler's incompetance, Germany still almost won the war!
Something to consider as a possible hole... Recall that the Germans were working on their heavy water experiments and, given the success they achieve in your alt history, may well have developed the atomic bomb before the U.S. and certainly at the same time. Thus, the U.S. would have been faced with an exchange of nuclear weapons if they opted to use them. We might well have opted not to use them in that case, preferring to rely on our ultimate industrial superiority to see us through using overwhelming conventional weapons. Also, the Germans had rocket technology, meaning a potential long distance (ICBM??) delivery system that we would not have been able to match. Again, a reason why we might well have not initiated the use of nukes (in fact, it might have been the Germans who initiated nukes!). In any event, the widespread, one-sided use of nukes that you describe seems unlikely. Food for thought!
Another general trend... The Germans were technically quite advanced with jet fighters (Me262, for instance), lacking only the production capacity due to allied attacks. In your alt history, Germany would have enjoyed unhindered production of jet fighters, Tiger tanks, etc. well before the allies.
An observation... With Britain in German hands, Russia tamed, Europe conquered, and an ever-growing fleet of U-Boats, the U.S. would have faced a daunting (bordering on impossible) task simply to convoy troops and equipment to whatever European battlefield. The logistical challenge for the U.S. would have been near-impossible.
Another possible hole... You mention retaking Britain. The invasion force would have been based in and launched from the U.S., I presume? Consider the number of vessels involved in the Normandy invasion which was just a simple crossing of the channel. Half of those vessels would have been unable to cross the Atlantic to launch the invasion of Britain. Consider what shape the troops would have been in after a weeks long crossing of the Atlantic to invade Britain. Seasickness alone would have debilitated the force!
An idea... As an alternate to the Phillipines scenario you describe, what about staging a massive naval attack on Rabaul with battleship on battleship combat while the carriers secure the skies and attack the harbor? I may be violating my own comments about the least amount of change!
A conclusion... Clearly, with the U-Boat threat even bigger than it was and the importance of convoy protection even greater, a major priority would have been better ASW escorts which I assume prompted your previously presented destroyer designs.
Hope this helps spark ideas for you! Thanks for sharing and please keep doing so. I look forward to more.
Regards,
Bob
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