Moscow 1941 - by Luka Novak

In spring Hitler decides to take Caucassus oilfields and thus separate Soviet army from it's oil. Also pockets of resistance (namely Leningrad and Crimea) must be eliminated-they tie down valuable units, complicate logistic lines (for instance: Leningrad pocket is preventing efficient cooperation between German army group North and Finnish forces and German forces fighting from Finland) and are embaresing. Also time has come for anti-guerilla operations to be conducted in occupied soviet Union. Offensive starts on 4. April. Soviets have been preparing for this offensive all winter. Germans can concentrate more materiel and men as they have in OTL (and they haven't been pushed back so much).

During winter 1941/42 Turkey was deciding whether to join the Axis or not. They reach decision in March 1942. They will join Germany and try to take some land on the Caucasus. As Germans start from north, Turks go from south. But their progress is slow. They are aided by local population of turkish origin but terrain is not suitable for rapid advances. Germans send some help (an armoured division and 2 infantry divisions), but not much as they still see Soviet forces as a large threat. Northern Turkish bases are also used by German paratroopers and bombers. Turkish attack stalls in early July. Altough they haven't seized much territory they did force Soviets to divert some forces south and spread remaining fighters to counter attacks from south.

By late June Germans reach Caucassus. Soviets apply scorched earth policy and are burning oilfields. But use of paratroopers (as invasion of Crete and and heavy losses didn't happen, Hitler still regards parartroopers as high as he did after 1940 sucesses) secures many of them. There was no need for use of paratroopers in 1941 offensive, altough they did see some action, mainly to seize bridges over Dneiper and some important railheads. Their casulties are high when Soviets counter-attack their airheads, but by the end of October soviet morale is at it's lowest. Winter stops Germans when Soviets can't. They have seized highest mountains of Caucassus and are at the outskirts of Stalingrad. Germans tried taking it, but after they were repulsed they didn't push very hard, as most of men and equipment went to units further south. Besides, Stalingrad isn't important. Altough it is a big city and most of it's factories are still operational, Germans decide to hold positions on west bank of Volga to counter any Soviet counterattack. They bomb and shell city to shut down it's factories, but don't attack it. They learned how costly urban warfare can be last year in Moscow.

    During 1942  British were putting pressure on German war industry by bombardment of it's factories. After daytime bombing missions became too dangerous they switched to night bombing. While this decreased casualties among bomber force it also decreased accuracy. Because of this many bombs fell away from their targets and hit civilian areas. In late 1942 also first American bombers started to apear on skies over Germany. Americans bomb during daytime. Hitler ordered that special attention (meaning more efort should be invested in shooting then down) should be given to these bombers. He wanted to draw as much blood from Americans as possible (but he also ordered captured airmen to be treated in strict acordance with Geneva conventions-he wanted Americans to become sick of war with Germany, but not to be enraged over treatment of their fellow citizens). He had to gain upper hand on skies so he could negotiate from a position of strength.

While the future seems bright for the european Axis, things are worse for Japan. Their offensive started with good results (although they missed carriers at Pearl Harbour). Philippines fell in January 1942, Singapore in February and in March Japanese forces landed on East Indies. Although American forces ocupied Fiji and New Caledonia there was cause for optimism. Then came the shock. In June Japanese tried to lure American forces (mainly their remaining carriers) into a trap at Midway islands. In battle that followed (3.-6. June 1942) Japanese forces lost 4 carriers and some 340 planes. Gone was the cream of Japanese naval air force-those were the same pilots that attacked Pearl Harbour. After that failure Japanese switch to defensive. Conquest of India was out of the question. Forces in Burma were ordered to hold their positions and to make only limited offensive actions-their objective to be improvement of strategic positions. These forces were also reduced. Japanese high command is thinking that British are unlikely to go on the offensive as next German objective is surely Middle east. After that forces in India will be cut off and any offensive will drain valuable resources. Forces taken from Burma are used to strenghten defences of Guadalcanal, New Guinea, Solomon islands and other positions in southern and central Pacific. Navy is to support defensive positions, keep outher perimeter defended and not to take any major offensive operations. Defensive position means that limited offensive action will be conducted, but only to either improve defeces or against attacking American forces. After that Pacific front becomes quiet for the rest of 1942. Both sides are licking it's wounds. Japanese are trying to extract as much material they can from occupied territories and Americans are trying to rebuild their navy-to make up for losses at Pearl Harbour and Midway (where they lost two carriers with other severely damaged). Battles at Coral sea and Midway (as did attacks on Taranto and Pearl Harbour) also finally proved dominiance of carriers over battleships. United States thus concentrate on rebuilding (and strenghtening) their carrier fleet and less on battleship fleet. United States also start program to expand submarine fleet (what Germans are trying to do with Britain they are trying to do with Japan).

With British forces under pressure Australia is turning to United States for protection. American forces are already defending Australia with navy (battle of Coral Sea is such an example). With Japanese forces clearly on the defensive and Australia no longer under threat of invasion, United States begins operating bombers and submarines from northern Australian bases (construction and enlargement of which began when Japan was still on the offensive). In 1942 United States are concentrating their eforts on cuting supply convoys from East Indies, Malaya and other territories to Japan. These eforts are of medium sucess. Submarines are very sucessful, but airplanes suffer heavy casulties as they can't be escorted by fighters and Japanese have airfields in the area.

1943

    At the beginning of 1943 Soviets realise, they have lost. They sue for peace. Germany agrees but sets harsh conditions. New border runs roughly on Ural mountains and on eastern shore of Caspian sea. While this border is in some places more than 500 miles from what Germans have taken, Soviets realize that it's better to let them have it than take it-and more (this is border Hitler set as their objective-from here he can secure Germany from any serious threat from Asia).

By peace treaty Soviet army is not allowed more than 500 tanks, 400 combat planes (including transport) and 40.000 men. It's forces must also leave northern Persia. All factories must be open to German inspections. Also all baracks housing armour units and airports can be inspected any time without prior notice. Germans must be informed of any movement above brigade strenght 48 hours prior to it's beginning. Also Germany is allowed unanounced reconnaissance flights over it's whole territory. All Soviet international agreements must be confirmed by Germany. Germany also demands that Soviet Union hands over Stalin, Beria and some other high ranking officials. Soviet Union must also disband it's communist party and all international communist organisations whose seats are in Moscow.

Minor axis allies also benefit from carving of Soviet Union. Finland gets back it's territory lost in Winter war (including acess to Barents sea) and some more. Also Hungary and Rumania get some territory. Baltic states become independEnt, but under strong German influence. Turkey gets southern parts of Soviet Union populated by Muslims-more than they conqured, but most of oilfields north of Caucassus are under Germany's control. Hitler isn't willing to give them too much because they joined late and wants to keep them wanting for more and thus willing to cooperate further.

Presure from the British bombardment is increasing (destruction of civilian buildings is taking it's toll on morale, but it hasn't reached reached serious levels). When British increased pressure Germans couldn't respond in kind as it didn't have enough bombers (efect of 1940 losses). Most of the available ones were used on eastern front, specially after Soviets started to move industry further east. But as larger numbers of bombers were produced from mid-1942 and Soviet resistance began to collapse Germany started to retaliate. Major British cities were under attack once more. Long range weapons programs are showing sings of progress, but their development is slow.

Also American bombers apear in increasing numbers (Britain persuaded United States to adopt Germany-first policy but Americans aren't willing to send large number of ground units to Britain). They will need them to roll back Japan. They do transfer some combat ships to Atlantic as Germans started sinking merchant ships in American waters. They are used for convoy escort and anti-submarine warfare. With Soviets completly gone large number of German units will be transfered back west, so any invasion of continental Europe is out of the question. Another option is to land in North Africa to take some pressure off British forces, but such force would take some time to assemble in Britain. This would be difficult because of German U-boats. And French forces would resist such an invasion. Americans send some specialised units (eqivalent of today's "special forces") to asist British raids and thus gain experience. Americans see skies over Germany as ideal conditions to test their tactics, see what works on bomber and what doesn't. They expect to meet same conditions over Japan.

After defeated of Soviet Union German plans are expulsion of British From North Africa and Middle east and thus control of the oilfields. During 1941 and 42 Afrika Korps (and Italians) did attack, but were stopped at El-Alamein. Hitler didn't send them too much help-it was needed on eastern front and British forces on Malta were increasingly sucessful against convoys.

Vichy forces in Syria and Lebanon are willing to cooperate (this cooperation was influenced by Turkish demands of parts of northern Syria-and German forces in Turkey which were strenghtned by forces transfered there from Soviet Union). In April 1943 Germans start two-pronged attack. One from Libya and other from Syria. In May Arabs revolt. British are overthrown in Iraq, while in Palestine, Egypt and Trans-Jordan Arab guerillas are attacking British forces. As German armies advance in Palestine SS troops are right behind them. Babi Yar is repeated in dozens of wadis. Despite his anti-semitic views Hitler strictly forbides destruction of any religious shrines of any kind ("Just let the Arabs sort out which are theirs and which aren't"). British try to defend cities (with exception of Jerusalem, which is declared open city and abandoned)-Germans aren't the only ones who learned from assault on Moscow. British forces aren't strong enough to fight Germans and conduct anti-guerilla operations. As British position is deteriorating (no reinforcements are possible via Mediterranean due to increased U-boat activity and trip around Africa takes couple of months) Churchill orders withdrawal to Ethiopia in July 1943. Both German thrusts come together at Suez canal (altough Afrika Korps had shorter distance to travel they were small, had troubles with logistics (convoys were still disrupted by British forces on Malta) and forces were showing efects of long exposure to unhospitable climate.

After victory in the east Germans don't need to concentrate their resuorces to ground units. They can concentrate to bringing Britain to it's knees. In middle of 1942 Germans begin increasing number of their U-boats and long range airplanes (both reconnaissance and bombers). Raeder and Doenitz are pushing for better coordination between Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine (Luftwaffe's long range planes acting as scouts for U-boats). Goering sees this as threat to his position and position of Luftwaffe. Hitler leans towards Goering's position, but orders establishment of Kriegsmarine air arm (small, but now there is better coordination-as effectiveness of this will start to show the air arm will expand).

Still midfull of defeat on skies of Britain in 1940 Germans were speeding up development of long range flying bombs and rockets since late 1941. First flying bomb (eqivalent of OTL V-1) hits London on 19. August 1943. They are slow and not precise weapons and can be intercepted easilly. They can be used only against large area targets-like cities. They can't be used against airfields or factories. Flying bombs are fired against cities while bombers concentrate on factories, ports and airfields.

Luftwaffe soon develops new tactic of combined plane and flying bomb attacks. They prove very effective as RAF must divide it's planes to both threats-specially if they come from different directions (flying bombs are fired from fixed positions in northern France and Belgium so bombers fly from west or south). But soon (20. December) new weapon is fired against UK, the A4. It is world's first balistic missile. Fired from positions in Holland and Belgium they can be fired at targets as far as Liverpool. They can carry 750 kg warhead, but it's aiming is worse than flying bomb's.

After stopping Japanese advance, United States go on the offensive in the Pacific. On 20. February 1943 American and Australian forces land on Guadalcanal and Salomon as first step to remove any threat to Australia. At first landings are lightly opposed, but soon Japanese counter-attack in strenght. Allied beachead on Guadalcanal shrinks rapidly and only heavy bombardment by naval planes operating from carriers and bombers from Australia prevents disaster. American end up holding 10 km wide and 3 km deep beachead. On 10. March Americans make another landing and simultaneously push from their beachead. By early June Guadalcanal is in American hands but price is high. Over 35.000 dead Americans and Australians. If such fanatical resistance is continued there wouldn't be any Allies left to land on Japan. In July Roosevelt is presented with bold plan designed by admirals Nimitz and King. They propose attack in central Pacific, toward Formosa. Marianes and Marshall islands would have to be taken to secure southern flank, while on north aren't any bigger islands. This would have several advantages. It would cut Japanese empire in two parts (and thus separate Japan from mineral- and oil-rich territories), bring under allied control some islands from which Japan could be bombed and as it would bypass main defeces wouldn't be as costly as advance from south-east. Main problem facing such plan would be long logistic lines for American navy and short ones for Japan. Also Japanese navy is still strong. After consideration Roosevelt agrees with the plan. His main oposition comes from general MacArthur. Still resentfull of the defeat on Philippines he wants to continue attack from south-east (toward Philippines). Roosevelt refuses. MacArthur threatens to resign if he doesn't gets his way. Roosevelt doesn't want to lose him, but he doesn't want to continue with his plan. MacArthur is offered command of land forces, but he refuses and resigns from the army.

For this offensive Americans assemble almost all available forces. 7 heavy carriers, 12 escort carriers and more than 100 other combat ships. In december 1943 marines land on Kwajelein, Eniwetok and Tarawa. At same time naval force made of 3 heavy carriers and 5 escort carriers sails east and attacks Japanese stronghold Truk. Because it is too far for bombers stationed on Guadalcanal it is attacked solely by naval planes. After neutralizing this stronghold and taking Gilbert islands Americans feel confident. Imediatly after clearing islands construction of airfields begins. With these bases and new long range bombers Americans feel the road to victory on the Pacific is open.

1944

German U-boats rise in numbers and quality. Despite ocasional British successes (like capturing naval Enigma code machine with codes), their numbers are just too great. By early 1944 Germans sink more than twice the tonnage that Allies build. On 5. May 1944 British sue for peace. Germans are not as harsh on them as they were on Soviets. They demand expulsion of Churchill and 20 other ministers and heads of Army to country not in Europe (most of them choose Canada). Britain is allowed to keep most of it's empire but north Africa (today's Tunis, Libya and Egypt-but not Ethiopia) goes to Italy. Palestine and Trans-Jordan are given independence (their status is very similar to Baltic states) as is India. American forces in Britain must leave in 4 months. Also British forces in Persia must leave (as must Soviet). Persia (and Iraq) eventually becomes German client state.

With fall of Graet Britain United States realize that Germany has won. There are voices in goverment and congress arguing that America shuld make honorable peace with Germany and concentrate on Japan. After British sue for peace, United States asks for ceasation of hostilities (United States have already opened secret diplomatic channels through their embassy in Switzerland in early 1943). Hitler agrees. Germany agrees not to interfere in America's war with Japan and will release all captured soldairs (airmen, sailors and captured ground forces) and bodies of those killed, while United States agree to pay for the damage inflicted on German industry (they don't pay for all damage). Hitler wanted Americans to make honorable peace (not to be resentfull) but on the other hand didn't want them to come of too cheap.

On the Pacific American offensive is still rolling on. In February Saipan and Tinian (Mariane islands) fall, followed by Guam in March and Ulithi and Palau in April. During this time Japanese navy was opposing landings and numerous battles were fought while islands were resuplied (similar to OTL battles of Gualdalcanal).

Strangely, Japan didn't adopt convoy strategy for ships transporting suplies from south-east Asia. While individual ships were harder to detect by submarines they could be easily sunk when detected. Bombers still suffer heavily, while submarines are becomming more and more sucessfull.

Decisive naval battle was fought on 21. July south of Okinava. Japanese navy sends 13 carriers, while Americans send 18 carriers. Both navies are also aided by airplanes on land (Japanese flying from Philippines, Americans flying from Marianes). Americans have advantage of greater range (planes were designed to bomb Germany and long-range fighters to escort them) and their ships are equiped with radar. Japanese navy feels this is the only oportunity to defeat Americans. Americans realise the same thing. If they can defeat the bulk of Japanese navy then path to Formosa will be open. In the early hours of 21. Japanese scout planes detect American ships. Japanese commander orders his dive and torpedo bombers into the air. American's still haven't detected Japanese, but fleet has air cover and radars are constantly scaning the skies. Japanese planes are detected when still some 250 kilometers from American fleet. American launch their fighters. In air battle that follows about 250 Jaapnese planes are destroyed. At same time American submarine detects Japanese fleet and radios it's position. American commander wants to attack as soon as possible but his fighters need to be rearmed and refueled. He doesn't want to send his bombers against Japanese without knowing how many fighters they have. It takes more than an hour before all planes are ready to launch. In the afternoon they find part of Japanese fleet and attack. They sink two carriers and some escort ships. Japanese turn south to regroup. Next day both fleets seek each other. Americans find Japanese first (again it was submarine). American attack with some 200 carrier bombers and catch ships while they are refuelling. They have some air cover, but fighters took heavy beating previous day. Americans sink 4 carriers, but lose some 80 bombers. After Japanese position is known they are attacked by land based bombers, which sink 2 more carriers. While this is happening Japanes submarine detected American fleet. Aproaching undetected in fires 5 torpedoes to American admiral ship, which sinks in 5 minutes with 15 survivors. In confusion that spreads it slips away undetected. With American position known Japanese send their bombers. Americans benefit from radars, but most of their fighters are escorting bombers attacking Japanese (land based fighters have too long response time to be efective). In suicidal attack through intenese antiaircraft fire 3 carriers are sunk (2 of them after being hit by airplanes intentionaly crashing on them) and 2 other damaged. Japanese lose some 150 airplanes. After such loses Japanese navy retreats. While retreating Americans sink another carrier.

Americans feel confident and continue their advance. American bombers attack ports and airfield on Philippines, while marines land on Formosa in September. Casualties are appaling. Some 6.000 marines die on first day. Americans feel that Formosa will be repeated Guadalcanal, specially due to shorter distance to Japan. While heavy beaten Japanese navy isn't defeated. But it's showing signs of lack of fuel. Americans land more and more soldairs on Formosa, but Japanese resistance continues to stiffen. Casualties mount. Some generals question whether Americans will have enough men to land on Japan itself. Surely resistance will be stiffer then. Than in December comes news, that would change future of warfare. Scietist working on American nuclear program will have first weapon ready within 2 months. If this new weapon works there will be no need for invasion. Roosevelt decides to wait and see. Forces on Formosa are put on defensive, but reinforcement keep comming to make up losses.

1945

On 21. January worlds first nuclear weapon detonates. Roosevelt is informed immediately . Now question is how to use it. Due to not being very precise using it on Formosa is out of the question (and forces there are dug in so efects are questionable). Some suggest inviting Japanese leaders to United States and demonstrating it, some dropping it on empty part of Japan while some suggest using it against one of cities. The latter faction (led by Curtiss LeMay) prevails-this will serve as a test of how effective this is against cities. List of targets is composed. While some oppose inhumanity of such weapon other argue that Germans are developing it's own nuclear weapons and this will serve as deterrent.

First bomb falls on Kobe (4. April) and Nagasaki (9. April). Japanese than capitulate and Japan is ocupied by American forces. Americans also take over territories in Asia, previously ocupied by Japan.

POST WAR PERIOD

Soon after Americans defeat Japan cold war starts between Germany and United States. Russian confederation (former Soviet Union) leans toward United States. Because of border between them (Americans control former Japanese posessions in China) Americans are able to supply large quantities of weapons which is used by guerillas on occupied parts Russia. These territories also serve as training grounds for Soviet guerillas operating in occupied parts of former Soviet Union. Germany constantly protests against this and demands American withdrawal. Americans flatly refuse to leave. Germans start supporting Changkaishek who fights Americans and wants to unite whole China but he has only limited sucess.

United States also form defence agreement with India (Cuttack aka Ravis-Nixon agreement). As cold war progreses (Germans detonate their atomic bomb on 5. March 1951 in Spanish Sahara) both countries are competing in all areas. German and American troops are facing each other on Persia (which includes OTL's Pakistan and Afghanistan)-India border which is also one of the hottest areas in Cold War

Germans launch first satelite (10. August 1950) and man (27. April 1953) into orbit (they have great advantage in rocket technology achieved by A4 missiles). US than tries to land first man on the moon, but expedition ends in disaster as Gemini IV is destroyed due to tehnical mistake while flying to the moon. Germans land first man on the moon on 20. April 1969, on Hitler's 80th birthday.