- Location
- Hamburg, Germany
Yes, he's good with purges. But will he do so? You'll see soon.
Merkels Operation Walküre
- Thread starter Tyr Anazasi
- Start date
- Timeline Post-1900 Supernatural
-
- Tags
- isot (isekai) germany
- Status
Yes, he's good with purges. But will he do so? You'll see soon.
- Location
- Buenos aires
thanks for showing the invasion from the paratroopers side its something that i felt was needed on AH
- Location
- Toronto, Canada
Up-Time Germany merged with Down-Time Germany. Yes UT and DT versions of the same person are existing simultaneously, but I can't remember what the other implications were like with the buildings and such.
I'm really damn annoyed with the allied leaders right now. (In-story! The reasons laid out are comprehensible.) They finally have an out of the war, and while originally they thought they had the opportunity to turn a win into an even bigger win, the disastrous D-Day should have tipped them off that it'd be smarter to get out while the getting's good.
I do hope that at the very least the minor powers will be more receptive to german diplomacy. If nothing else, technology trades and promises of favorable trade relations post-war should be a pretty tempting carrot.
However, I also think that actually, one of the biggest implications of these chapters is that the allies have acquired electronic computers. Potato-tier tablet computers likely, true, but by 1940's standards those are still veritable supercomputers. Even if they can't figure out how to make semiconductor electronics for themseves, it will still tip them off that semiconductors are the way to go and give them examples to work off of, and the access to their computing power should greatly accelerate allied RnD by itself. Assuming they can keep them charged.
Darksoul2142
SUMMONER OF DARK DRAGON
- Location
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Both DT and UT Germany have been merged together. Also, I would include the word of god here from the AH.com thread:
Tyr Anazasi said:
- Location
- Asia
They can't back out of the war now, not without destroying political careers. They've been riling up their populations for total war, that the Axis regimes need to be destroyed utterly, and as of the Casablanca Conference of January 1943, unconditional surrender was the official goal of the Allies to be achieved against the Axis. Not to mention, FDR historically hated the Germans, and completely backed the Morgenthau Plan which was essentially Generalplan Germania, i.e. the enforced de-industrialization and pastoralization of Germany, and reduction of the German population by means of forced starvation to permanently remove the German threat to European peace. Thankfully, Truman had a much more functional brain, and had the plan shelved as utter lunacy from the get-go.
Darksoul2142
SUMMONER OF DARK DRAGON
- Location
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
(1) Yes, the Allies do know that the Germany they have now is from 70 years in the future, but they also received critical information (from Mrs. Kaßmann) of the Bundeswehr's appalling state of readiness pre-ISOT. Only the Germans and the readers of this ISOT know about the buffs (read: fixed equipment, additional materiel) the ASB provided.
Roosevelt wants to survive politically and that can't happen if he gives up at a stage where the public perceives Germany as being practically defeated. Moreover the Allies (don't remember what it was) agreed on nothing less than unconditional surrender.
Roosevelt also believes that Operation Bagration will force the Germans to expend all their advanced weaponry. Thus allowing the USA and the UK to deliver a final blow, and capture future tech while the Soviets and Germans would be busy in the Bagration meat grinder.
Greed for advanced technology and political survival will not allow Roosevelt and Churchill to make peace.
Tl;dr - Why make peace and then get advanced tech when you believe you can neuter a future military and economic rival (Morgenthau Plan or no post war aid) achieve "glory" for yourself and appropriate all advanced tech.
(2) How would it accelerate allied R&D if they are unable to take advantage of the hardware in a meaningful manner?
You have a point in the Allies knowing semiconductors are the way to go but that is a long term matter.
The issue here will not be whether they can keep them charged or not, or the inability to copy and manufacture more semiconductor electronics (small scale) in short order.
The issue will be understanding the basic software (the OS, firmware) the tablet runs on, create a suitable programming language to write useful programs (wind tunnel simulations, mathematics software, CAD etc.) and learn how to express what you want from a program in your created programming language.
They will have to do all this without any background, reference, experience and prior research to draw knowledge from.
Edit no. 1: Jaenera ninjaed me on the Casablanca conference (Allied agreement on unconditional surrender of the Axis). Dammit brain why you no work at 7 AM in the morning >_<
Last edited:
- Location
- Hamburg, Germany
@JaeneraTargaryen and @Darksoul2142 : Indeed.
I want to add, that the smaller countries won't switch sides so easily, partly because of being embedded into the Alliance, partly as Germany is still an occupation power. Chapters 4 and 5 will become interesting in these regards.
I want to add, that the smaller countries won't switch sides so easily, partly because of being embedded into the Alliance, partly as Germany is still an occupation power. Chapters 4 and 5 will become interesting in these regards.
Interludium II: A new Fate
- Location
- Hamburg, Germany
Hamburg, June 8th, 14:00
At first, life went one as it did in the years before for Anne. Then, slowly but surely the first rumours began emerging; strange tales of time travel and other such nonsense, but she didn't pay it much attention as she was too occupied with her own life to pay heed to anything else.
Then, however, several days after the rumours first started surfacing, she saw people walking along the street towards the house they were staying in. Anne knew that she wasn't supposed to look out of the window, her father had said so, but she couldn't keep her curiosity at bay. The people were holding strange equipment that she didn't recognized. It had vague similarities with the cameras Anne knew, but these were much compacter.
And then these people were knocking at the door of their supposed secret flat! Panic took hold of Anne and her breath came fast and shallow. They had been found! And yet, amidst the panic and fear Anne was able to recognize that the Gestapo hadn't arrived yet. Instead these people wanted to talk to them. To her! That was crazy. And then the German police came, but instead of being sent to a KZ they were placed in a hotel near Arnheim where the German officials explained to her and her father that they were indeed from the future. Anne´s eyes grew big as saucers at that proclamation. For the first time in years Anne could breathe freely, a big pressure lifting from her shoulders as the realisation sunk in that Hitler was no more and that she didn't have to fear for the lives of her and her family.
But the joy and elation was soon replaced by mortification and embarrassment when she was told that her diaries had been published, by her own father even! Her most intimate thoughts about love and sexuality – published. Her musings about her situation in Amsterdam – published. Anne had only ever written for herself, not for anyone else. She hadn't wanted glory, at least not through her diary. She had just wanted to be a normal 15-year-old girl, at least as much as this was possible and now that. She felt like running naked through the streets.
Some of the once unbreakable trust Anne had had in her father had been shattered by this revelation. They had screamed at each other this morning, again, hurling hurtful things at each other until she couldn't stand it anymore. Without thinking twice, Anne left the flat and made her way to the next train station. She had the 500€ the Germans had given her as provisional compensation in her pocket. Anne didn't know how much it was worth, but it seemed to be enough to buy a ticket. To where? She didn't know, only that she soon arrived in Münster.
The station had been completely destroyed, however, a makeshift station had been erected in its place instead. Anne didn't like the Germans – which Jew would after what they had done? – but seeing the burnt remains of what once had been a little doll beneath the rubble somehow mellowed out these feelings.
She took the next train. It looked pretty futuristic and it would take her to Hamburg. But halfway through the journey what Anne had hoped wouldn't happen did happen: She was recognized. The only thing that happened, though, was that she got a whole compartment for herself and free drinks and a meal. While she pondered her predicament, she munched on chocolate cake and sipped on her orange juice. Disgruntled, Anne had to admit that she had literally no plan as to how to proceed. Her problem was her diary, or rather it having been published. How could she change that or at least lessen its impact on her life? The answer to that question eluded her until she arrived in Hamburg.
Even though not many people were able to recognize her, Anne still bought a scarf and sunglasses at the main station there and made her way through what appeared to be a big pedestrian zone called Mönckebergstraße with many shops that offered things Anne had never seen in her whole life. Like every other 15-year-old girl she looked at the different fabrics and cuts with amazement. But then she saw the sign and it struck her like lightning: Rechtsanwalt. Attorney-at-law. If this new Germany was truly a state of law, how these people all had claimed, then surely there would be something she could do? Not here, though, these offices looked much too expensive. She just took the next bus and departed after several stations. There she saw an old building with lots of attorneys having their offices there.
Anne entered the building and rang on bell. The door opened and an older woman with bright red-coloured hair looked down on her.
"How may I be of help?" she asked and so excited was Anne that she had to remind herself to talk and not just stand there and stare.
"Eh, hello. I´m Fräulein Frank and I want to talk to –" she took a quick peek at the sign "– Dr. Peter Voss." She hoped that the woman was able to understand her as she spoke German with a strong Dutch accent.
"Of course, Fräulein Frank" the woman replied. "Why don´t you come in and sit down while I go and look of Mr. Voss has any free time?" She led Anne to a little area with a few chairs and a coffee table upon which a few magazines and newspapers were placed. While Anne busied herself with the publications the woman disappeared and reappeared after a while with a small and fat man.
"Fräulein Frank, I´m Dr. Voss. How may I be of help?" he asked her as he led her into her office. After he closed the door, she took off her scarf and sunglasses.
"Can I offer you something to drink – oh my god, you´re Anne Frank?!" Dr. Voss was silent for a moment and Anne felt very uncomfortable under his scrutinizing gaze.
"Sorry Miss Frank, for that temporary lapse of composure," he said and shook his head. "With all these crazy things happening, it surely can fray one nerves, doesn´t it? Again, how may I be of help?"
"Did you read my diaries?" Anne asked.
"No, I didn't," Voss answered. "But…"
"Look, Dr. Voss," Anne interrupted him. "The situation is as follows…" Over the course of the next ten minutes Anne explained her predicament to the older lawyer.
"So, you want to stop your diary from being sold?" Voss asked for clarification.
"Yes," Anne confirmed. "Is that possible?"
"Well, let me explain your legal position first," Voss began, "Firstly, you are the writer of the work and therefore you hold the copyright. The Bundestag – our legislative power – will soon pass a law which purpose it is to clear the confusion that has come up concerning copyright after the Event. The "Gesetz zur Modernisierung des Urheberrechts aufgrund der Folgen des Ereignisses" (Law concerning the modernisation of the copyright in regards to the Event and its consequences) will state that copyright holder is the person who has written or is currently writing a book. The 70 years clause of the extinction of the rights has been restarted, so that people having died after 1874 or who are still alive have all claims. Respectively their heirs, of course. This is true for all new copies made after the event. So you can therefore prohibit your diary from being sold."
Anne sighed. She felt relieved, for a moment, before she remembered that more often than not good news only came bundled with bad ones. "But?"
"Well, this is more of a factual than a legal problem. Hundreds of thousand – if not millions – copies of your diary have already been sold and while you can put a stop to new one being printed, the ones already sold cannot be retrieved."
Anne felt like she was about to cry.
"I think I know how you must feel now."
"No, you don't!" Anne shouted as the first tears started to run down her cheek.
"Your whole life, your every thought – even the most intimate ones – were published. It´s like you´re made of glass, transparent and you feel ashamed and hurt by the thought that everyone knows you and your mind."
"Yes," Anne sobbed.
"But you´ve never wanted that, do you? Fame and glory was never something on your mind."
"No, it wasn't."
"Anne," Voss continued. "Fate or whatever you like to call it can be very cruel. And cruel it has been, especially to you. It seldom gives us second chances, yet you were lucky enough that your life has been derailed from the path it took in our history. That doesn't mean that you have to accept everything or that you have to feel great about it, but your work – your diaries – has given our civilization a piece of literature that has become renowned in every corner of the world. You have given the victims of the Holocaust a face."
"Holocaust?" she inquired.
"The murder of the European Jews by the Nazis," Voss explained. "Like I said, you cannot change what has already happened. The only question you have to answer now is whether you want to accept what fate has given you or if you want to fight it." Anne looked at him, not saying a word and it seemed like the doubts she was having were written clearly on her face.
"Maybe I´m not the man you should talk about these things," Voss said. "I propose you should talk to Mr. Navon as he is the supreme rabbi of all liberal Jews in Hamburg."
"There are still Jews in Germany?" Anne asked in wonder.
"Yes, there are," Voss replied. "In the end, Hitler wasn't successful in his hateful endeavour to rid the world of all the people he thought unworthy." He paused. "Do you want me to contact Mr. Navon?"
"Yes," Anne hiccupped. Dr. Voss left the room, probably to call the rabbi he had spoken of, and returned shortly later.
"From what you´ve told me, it seems like you have several issues with your parents," Voss continued. "Not only am I an attorney but also a certified mediator. That is someone who mediates between people that have fights or other issues between each other. I allow each of them to state their point of view while the others and I are listening and more often than not, hearing the other out resolves much of the issues. Maybe this is exactly what you and your parents need in this situation. Think about it."
Shortly after that Mr. Navon arrived at the little office. He and Anne withdrew in one of the other empty offices where Anne could spill her guts out to the rabbi while no one was listening in on her. They talked and talked and slowly but surely Anne came to face her situation.
She had to acknowledge that she had no chance at staying a simple and normal girl – at least in Germany and sooner or later in other countries as well. Her diaries were important works of literature – even world literature, if Voss was to be believed – and she could never undo their publishing. She could either run away and hide from her fame or she could use it to do something good – to change something. After all, as Navon so helpfully pointed out, she had been given a second chance.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Voss," Anne thanked the man. "How much do I owe you?"
"Nothing. I hope you can find your way through this new world."
"Thanks." Anne said again. She left the building. It had not been the solution she liked. But a solution she could live with. Or learn to do so. Well, there were other problems to cope, too.
At first, life went one as it did in the years before for Anne. Then, slowly but surely the first rumours began emerging; strange tales of time travel and other such nonsense, but she didn't pay it much attention as she was too occupied with her own life to pay heed to anything else.
Then, however, several days after the rumours first started surfacing, she saw people walking along the street towards the house they were staying in. Anne knew that she wasn't supposed to look out of the window, her father had said so, but she couldn't keep her curiosity at bay. The people were holding strange equipment that she didn't recognized. It had vague similarities with the cameras Anne knew, but these were much compacter.
And then these people were knocking at the door of their supposed secret flat! Panic took hold of Anne and her breath came fast and shallow. They had been found! And yet, amidst the panic and fear Anne was able to recognize that the Gestapo hadn't arrived yet. Instead these people wanted to talk to them. To her! That was crazy. And then the German police came, but instead of being sent to a KZ they were placed in a hotel near Arnheim where the German officials explained to her and her father that they were indeed from the future. Anne´s eyes grew big as saucers at that proclamation. For the first time in years Anne could breathe freely, a big pressure lifting from her shoulders as the realisation sunk in that Hitler was no more and that she didn't have to fear for the lives of her and her family.
But the joy and elation was soon replaced by mortification and embarrassment when she was told that her diaries had been published, by her own father even! Her most intimate thoughts about love and sexuality – published. Her musings about her situation in Amsterdam – published. Anne had only ever written for herself, not for anyone else. She hadn't wanted glory, at least not through her diary. She had just wanted to be a normal 15-year-old girl, at least as much as this was possible and now that. She felt like running naked through the streets.
Some of the once unbreakable trust Anne had had in her father had been shattered by this revelation. They had screamed at each other this morning, again, hurling hurtful things at each other until she couldn't stand it anymore. Without thinking twice, Anne left the flat and made her way to the next train station. She had the 500€ the Germans had given her as provisional compensation in her pocket. Anne didn't know how much it was worth, but it seemed to be enough to buy a ticket. To where? She didn't know, only that she soon arrived in Münster.
The station had been completely destroyed, however, a makeshift station had been erected in its place instead. Anne didn't like the Germans – which Jew would after what they had done? – but seeing the burnt remains of what once had been a little doll beneath the rubble somehow mellowed out these feelings.
She took the next train. It looked pretty futuristic and it would take her to Hamburg. But halfway through the journey what Anne had hoped wouldn't happen did happen: She was recognized. The only thing that happened, though, was that she got a whole compartment for herself and free drinks and a meal. While she pondered her predicament, she munched on chocolate cake and sipped on her orange juice. Disgruntled, Anne had to admit that she had literally no plan as to how to proceed. Her problem was her diary, or rather it having been published. How could she change that or at least lessen its impact on her life? The answer to that question eluded her until she arrived in Hamburg.
Even though not many people were able to recognize her, Anne still bought a scarf and sunglasses at the main station there and made her way through what appeared to be a big pedestrian zone called Mönckebergstraße with many shops that offered things Anne had never seen in her whole life. Like every other 15-year-old girl she looked at the different fabrics and cuts with amazement. But then she saw the sign and it struck her like lightning: Rechtsanwalt. Attorney-at-law. If this new Germany was truly a state of law, how these people all had claimed, then surely there would be something she could do? Not here, though, these offices looked much too expensive. She just took the next bus and departed after several stations. There she saw an old building with lots of attorneys having their offices there.
Anne entered the building and rang on bell. The door opened and an older woman with bright red-coloured hair looked down on her.
"How may I be of help?" she asked and so excited was Anne that she had to remind herself to talk and not just stand there and stare.
"Eh, hello. I´m Fräulein Frank and I want to talk to –" she took a quick peek at the sign "– Dr. Peter Voss." She hoped that the woman was able to understand her as she spoke German with a strong Dutch accent.
"Of course, Fräulein Frank" the woman replied. "Why don´t you come in and sit down while I go and look of Mr. Voss has any free time?" She led Anne to a little area with a few chairs and a coffee table upon which a few magazines and newspapers were placed. While Anne busied herself with the publications the woman disappeared and reappeared after a while with a small and fat man.
"Fräulein Frank, I´m Dr. Voss. How may I be of help?" he asked her as he led her into her office. After he closed the door, she took off her scarf and sunglasses.
"Can I offer you something to drink – oh my god, you´re Anne Frank?!" Dr. Voss was silent for a moment and Anne felt very uncomfortable under his scrutinizing gaze.
"Sorry Miss Frank, for that temporary lapse of composure," he said and shook his head. "With all these crazy things happening, it surely can fray one nerves, doesn´t it? Again, how may I be of help?"
"Did you read my diaries?" Anne asked.
"No, I didn't," Voss answered. "But…"
"Look, Dr. Voss," Anne interrupted him. "The situation is as follows…" Over the course of the next ten minutes Anne explained her predicament to the older lawyer.
"So, you want to stop your diary from being sold?" Voss asked for clarification.
"Yes," Anne confirmed. "Is that possible?"
"Well, let me explain your legal position first," Voss began, "Firstly, you are the writer of the work and therefore you hold the copyright. The Bundestag – our legislative power – will soon pass a law which purpose it is to clear the confusion that has come up concerning copyright after the Event. The "Gesetz zur Modernisierung des Urheberrechts aufgrund der Folgen des Ereignisses" (Law concerning the modernisation of the copyright in regards to the Event and its consequences) will state that copyright holder is the person who has written or is currently writing a book. The 70 years clause of the extinction of the rights has been restarted, so that people having died after 1874 or who are still alive have all claims. Respectively their heirs, of course. This is true for all new copies made after the event. So you can therefore prohibit your diary from being sold."
Anne sighed. She felt relieved, for a moment, before she remembered that more often than not good news only came bundled with bad ones. "But?"
"Well, this is more of a factual than a legal problem. Hundreds of thousand – if not millions – copies of your diary have already been sold and while you can put a stop to new one being printed, the ones already sold cannot be retrieved."
Anne felt like she was about to cry.
"I think I know how you must feel now."
"No, you don't!" Anne shouted as the first tears started to run down her cheek.
"Your whole life, your every thought – even the most intimate ones – were published. It´s like you´re made of glass, transparent and you feel ashamed and hurt by the thought that everyone knows you and your mind."
"Yes," Anne sobbed.
"But you´ve never wanted that, do you? Fame and glory was never something on your mind."
"No, it wasn't."
"Anne," Voss continued. "Fate or whatever you like to call it can be very cruel. And cruel it has been, especially to you. It seldom gives us second chances, yet you were lucky enough that your life has been derailed from the path it took in our history. That doesn't mean that you have to accept everything or that you have to feel great about it, but your work – your diaries – has given our civilization a piece of literature that has become renowned in every corner of the world. You have given the victims of the Holocaust a face."
"Holocaust?" she inquired.
"The murder of the European Jews by the Nazis," Voss explained. "Like I said, you cannot change what has already happened. The only question you have to answer now is whether you want to accept what fate has given you or if you want to fight it." Anne looked at him, not saying a word and it seemed like the doubts she was having were written clearly on her face.
"Maybe I´m not the man you should talk about these things," Voss said. "I propose you should talk to Mr. Navon as he is the supreme rabbi of all liberal Jews in Hamburg."
"There are still Jews in Germany?" Anne asked in wonder.
"Yes, there are," Voss replied. "In the end, Hitler wasn't successful in his hateful endeavour to rid the world of all the people he thought unworthy." He paused. "Do you want me to contact Mr. Navon?"
"Yes," Anne hiccupped. Dr. Voss left the room, probably to call the rabbi he had spoken of, and returned shortly later.
"From what you´ve told me, it seems like you have several issues with your parents," Voss continued. "Not only am I an attorney but also a certified mediator. That is someone who mediates between people that have fights or other issues between each other. I allow each of them to state their point of view while the others and I are listening and more often than not, hearing the other out resolves much of the issues. Maybe this is exactly what you and your parents need in this situation. Think about it."
Shortly after that Mr. Navon arrived at the little office. He and Anne withdrew in one of the other empty offices where Anne could spill her guts out to the rabbi while no one was listening in on her. They talked and talked and slowly but surely Anne came to face her situation.
She had to acknowledge that she had no chance at staying a simple and normal girl – at least in Germany and sooner or later in other countries as well. Her diaries were important works of literature – even world literature, if Voss was to be believed – and she could never undo their publishing. She could either run away and hide from her fame or she could use it to do something good – to change something. After all, as Navon so helpfully pointed out, she had been given a second chance.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Voss," Anne thanked the man. "How much do I owe you?"
"Nothing. I hope you can find your way through this new world."
"Thanks." Anne said again. She left the building. It had not been the solution she liked. But a solution she could live with. Or learn to do so. Well, there were other problems to cope, too.
Chapter I, Part 26: A new Shark in the Pond
- Location
- Hamburg, Germany
June 8th, 10:00 AM GMT, off the Irish coast:
Admiral Sir C. G. Ramsey was standing on the bridge, feeling both relieved and worried. Relieved, because he had heard that the Germans had recalled their U-Boats, which – if true – meant that there were less dangers for Great Britain to worry about and yet, you could never be totally sure. And then there were the news about the failed invasion, which worried him greatly. Well, that was many miles away from the convoy he was leading, consisting of 97 ships, HX 293, most of them to Liverpool which they would reach tomorrow. But until then much could happen.
It was in this exact moment that it happened. The Norwegian tanker Brasil suddenly exploded, breaking apart and both parts turning into a burning inferno before the sea consumed them. Only a few moments later the other two Norwegian tankers Fosna and Solfonn were hit as well and sank, followed by the British tankers Donacilla and San Adolfo. Ramsey couldn't see any enemy vessel or aircraft, so obviously a U-Boat wolves pack had found his convoy and had attacked. He saw the escorts to steam around and fire patterns of depth charges. Calling the officer on the lead ship for more information he was told that the enemy would be fought with every measure available and yet, to him it looked like nothing was hit. The escorts seemed to act blind.
Half an hour another later Ramsey was forced to watch another of his ships sinking. The Panamanian Norbris, a tanker, exploded in huge fire ball, followed soon afterwards by the British San Vito and Rapana, the Norwegian Marit II and the Dutch Gadila. Within half an hour he had lost all of his tankers and again the escorts were pretty much useless. They were manoeuvring wildly through the sea, dropping depth charges to no avail.
Twenty minutes later the freighters George W. Lively and Nicholas Herkimer were both torpedoed and sank. The enemy was practically invisible, the escorts useless and even more of a mystery was the fact that each ship had been sunk with one torpedo respectively. Ramsey cursed to God. It had been such an uneventful journey until now! Losing 12 vessels with over 110.000 grt, but also losing all the tankers with fuel Great Britain so desperately needed!
30 km away Korvettenkapitän Stefan Mayer was pleased. His U-31 had fired the first shots in anger and had sunk 12 vessels. The enemy had not detected him and was still hunting in another area. Pity, he thought, but he had no more eels left. Time to go to St. Nazaire.
Admiral Sir C. G. Ramsey was standing on the bridge, feeling both relieved and worried. Relieved, because he had heard that the Germans had recalled their U-Boats, which – if true – meant that there were less dangers for Great Britain to worry about and yet, you could never be totally sure. And then there were the news about the failed invasion, which worried him greatly. Well, that was many miles away from the convoy he was leading, consisting of 97 ships, HX 293, most of them to Liverpool which they would reach tomorrow. But until then much could happen.
It was in this exact moment that it happened. The Norwegian tanker Brasil suddenly exploded, breaking apart and both parts turning into a burning inferno before the sea consumed them. Only a few moments later the other two Norwegian tankers Fosna and Solfonn were hit as well and sank, followed by the British tankers Donacilla and San Adolfo. Ramsey couldn't see any enemy vessel or aircraft, so obviously a U-Boat wolves pack had found his convoy and had attacked. He saw the escorts to steam around and fire patterns of depth charges. Calling the officer on the lead ship for more information he was told that the enemy would be fought with every measure available and yet, to him it looked like nothing was hit. The escorts seemed to act blind.
Half an hour another later Ramsey was forced to watch another of his ships sinking. The Panamanian Norbris, a tanker, exploded in huge fire ball, followed soon afterwards by the British San Vito and Rapana, the Norwegian Marit II and the Dutch Gadila. Within half an hour he had lost all of his tankers and again the escorts were pretty much useless. They were manoeuvring wildly through the sea, dropping depth charges to no avail.
Twenty minutes later the freighters George W. Lively and Nicholas Herkimer were both torpedoed and sank. The enemy was practically invisible, the escorts useless and even more of a mystery was the fact that each ship had been sunk with one torpedo respectively. Ramsey cursed to God. It had been such an uneventful journey until now! Losing 12 vessels with over 110.000 grt, but also losing all the tankers with fuel Great Britain so desperately needed!
30 km away Korvettenkapitän Stefan Mayer was pleased. His U-31 had fired the first shots in anger and had sunk 12 vessels. The enemy had not detected him and was still hunting in another area. Pity, he thought, but he had no more eels left. Time to go to St. Nazaire.
Chapter I, Part 27: Polish Considerations
- Location
- Hamburg, Germany
London, Polish Embassy, June 7th, 23:00 GMT:
Wladyslaw Raczkiewicz: So, it is true. The Germans are from the future. Oh, Lord!
Stanislaw Mikolajczik: Yes, it seems so. We can confirm that with the data we have from our men in Poland and from the Germans themselves. They offered us a separate peace, including high reparations.
WR: And the borders?
SM: Of 1937, Mr. President.
WR: No East Prussia?
SM: No, sir. We had signed the Atlantic Charta only under the condition to demand East Prussia. And Upper Silesia.
WR: Yes, we have. But we have to look at the situation before we act. Once we're at war with the Germans. And we have severe problems with the Soviets as well.
SM: Yes. Mr. Churchill tries to mediate with Stalin, but he seems adamant. And when we can believe the Germans he will make Poland to a communistic nation under Soviet yoke.
WR: Knowing Stalin this is believable.
SM: Yes, it is.
WR: However, what are our options?
SM: We have two. Option one is to accept the German proposal.
WR: That meant we would de facto leave the Alliance with Britain and the USA. We are already isolated in this alliance, so we might not lose very much. However, we would have to align us to Germany. The question is, are they able to win the war?
SM: Hardly. They have much better technology, true. But they have as well little to no supplies to fight a long war. They will likely be overrun, albeit with higher losses.
WR: So they will lose?
SM: Very likely.
WR: This doesn't sound a good possibility. And the second option?
SM: To continue as before. We can hope the Germans will keep the Soviets at bay for some more time, in which the US and Britain build up new forces. With some luck after a successful invasion the Germans surrender and we can be in Poland before the Soviets. In any case I already ordered the Home Army to stand down and wait. If the Soviets are nearing they should try to make an own revolt. And then try to keep them at bay. Hopefully the Western Allies help us later.
WR: They didn't do much in this regard before. I doubt they will.
SM: To be honest, me, too. However, we have not many possibilities. Either we leave the Alliance and make peace with Germany, in the hope they win. Or we have to continue fighting them in the hope to keep East Poland Polish.
WR: Grodno is Polish. As is Lwow. No, we have to continue to fight. If the Germans had a chance, we might have had an alternative. But not under these circumstances. Furthermore, we need East Prussia. We can't live without it.
SM: Shall we continue the talks with the Germans? For the case?
WR: No. They are beaten and without Hitler they will soon surrender, if these reports are true. On this way we can show FDR and Churchill we are still supporting the alliance. Perhaps then we can get more of it.
SM: Yes, I agree.
WR: However, if the Germans are victorious we might have thrown away a too good deal.
SM: They won't. They are run by a woman.
WR: True. So true.
Wladyslaw Raczkiewicz: So, it is true. The Germans are from the future. Oh, Lord!
Stanislaw Mikolajczik: Yes, it seems so. We can confirm that with the data we have from our men in Poland and from the Germans themselves. They offered us a separate peace, including high reparations.
WR: And the borders?
SM: Of 1937, Mr. President.
WR: No East Prussia?
SM: No, sir. We had signed the Atlantic Charta only under the condition to demand East Prussia. And Upper Silesia.
WR: Yes, we have. But we have to look at the situation before we act. Once we're at war with the Germans. And we have severe problems with the Soviets as well.
SM: Yes. Mr. Churchill tries to mediate with Stalin, but he seems adamant. And when we can believe the Germans he will make Poland to a communistic nation under Soviet yoke.
WR: Knowing Stalin this is believable.
SM: Yes, it is.
WR: However, what are our options?
SM: We have two. Option one is to accept the German proposal.
WR: That meant we would de facto leave the Alliance with Britain and the USA. We are already isolated in this alliance, so we might not lose very much. However, we would have to align us to Germany. The question is, are they able to win the war?
SM: Hardly. They have much better technology, true. But they have as well little to no supplies to fight a long war. They will likely be overrun, albeit with higher losses.
WR: So they will lose?
SM: Very likely.
WR: This doesn't sound a good possibility. And the second option?
SM: To continue as before. We can hope the Germans will keep the Soviets at bay for some more time, in which the US and Britain build up new forces. With some luck after a successful invasion the Germans surrender and we can be in Poland before the Soviets. In any case I already ordered the Home Army to stand down and wait. If the Soviets are nearing they should try to make an own revolt. And then try to keep them at bay. Hopefully the Western Allies help us later.
WR: They didn't do much in this regard before. I doubt they will.
SM: To be honest, me, too. However, we have not many possibilities. Either we leave the Alliance and make peace with Germany, in the hope they win. Or we have to continue fighting them in the hope to keep East Poland Polish.
WR: Grodno is Polish. As is Lwow. No, we have to continue to fight. If the Germans had a chance, we might have had an alternative. But not under these circumstances. Furthermore, we need East Prussia. We can't live without it.
SM: Shall we continue the talks with the Germans? For the case?
WR: No. They are beaten and without Hitler they will soon surrender, if these reports are true. On this way we can show FDR and Churchill we are still supporting the alliance. Perhaps then we can get more of it.
SM: Yes, I agree.
WR: However, if the Germans are victorious we might have thrown away a too good deal.
SM: They won't. They are run by a woman.
WR: True. So true.
Chapter I, Part 28: D-Day Summary
- Location
- Hamburg, Germany
June 8th, 12:00 CEST, Berlin
From: OB West
To: BMVertG, BKAmt
Nur für den Dienstgebrauch (confidential)
Regarding the results of the Allied landing attempt on the French coast near Boulogne on June 6th 1944.
The Allied landing attempt had been an utter failure for the Allies. Our forces have shown great courage, discipline and skill. The modern equipment and forces were however decisive. So it was possible to attack and destroy the forces to make a mock attack on Normandy before they could land. The missiles used could sink the escorts so that the older ships could go in for a kill without great dangers. There were only slight damages to report. 6 men died, 24 were wounded.
The enemy paratrooper forces had great losses before they could even land. The troops managing to land were often either captured immediately or overwhelmed after short fights. Only at few positions greater forces were able to take their objectives, though none of them succeeded in holding them for more than a few hours. Smaller troops and some scattered soldiers were able to avoid being captured that day but most of them were caught in the following days.
The war in the air had been tougher, as we were not able to destroy all enemy air bases in time. Because of this our fighter pilots report 1.269 enemy planes downed. First reports indicate this figure as true, perhaps even a bit too low. Most of them were downed by modern jet fighters. Our losses were 26 Bf 109, 18 FW 190, 12 Do 217, 18 Ju 88, 12 He 111, 6 He 177 and 2 Panavia Tornadoes. 144 pilots are dead or missing, 28 wounded.
At the landings the Allies were unable to break the defence line decisively. Here artillery, MILAN missiles and the new rifles were of great use. It can be reported that the G-36 did work well. There were three cases though in which the rifle had failed. But this happened at points, where also other weapons failed as they became too hot of use. Here also six K98 rifles and over a dozen MG 34 barrels had to be exchanged in the battle, more after it. The G-36 showed in no way overly bad results. The only point to discuss is the lack of man stopping power, especially at greater ranges. The G-3 issued to former Wehrmacht forces was better in this regard.
The Allied losses of men were high. 36.894 bodies had been recovered after the battle. We assume there are more losses, especially in the waters in front of the landing sides. 32.168 men were captured, including the wounded. Further 14.398 men were captured on the ships surrendering.
Enemy ships sunk: 5 battleships, 19 cruisers, 69 destroyers, 2 Monitors, 299 smaller warships, 101 transports
Enemy ships captured: USS Quincy (II), which was beached to avoid being sunk, USS Meredith (II), HMS Cattistock, HMS Cottismore, 68 landing craft, including 12 LST, 47 transports
Own ships sunk: 3 VP boats, 2 R-boats, 36 men killed, 24 wounded.
GFM Rommel
From: OB West
To: BMVertG, BKAmt
Nur für den Dienstgebrauch (confidential)
Regarding the results of the Allied landing attempt on the French coast near Boulogne on June 6th 1944.
The Allied landing attempt had been an utter failure for the Allies. Our forces have shown great courage, discipline and skill. The modern equipment and forces were however decisive. So it was possible to attack and destroy the forces to make a mock attack on Normandy before they could land. The missiles used could sink the escorts so that the older ships could go in for a kill without great dangers. There were only slight damages to report. 6 men died, 24 were wounded.
The enemy paratrooper forces had great losses before they could even land. The troops managing to land were often either captured immediately or overwhelmed after short fights. Only at few positions greater forces were able to take their objectives, though none of them succeeded in holding them for more than a few hours. Smaller troops and some scattered soldiers were able to avoid being captured that day but most of them were caught in the following days.
The war in the air had been tougher, as we were not able to destroy all enemy air bases in time. Because of this our fighter pilots report 1.269 enemy planes downed. First reports indicate this figure as true, perhaps even a bit too low. Most of them were downed by modern jet fighters. Our losses were 26 Bf 109, 18 FW 190, 12 Do 217, 18 Ju 88, 12 He 111, 6 He 177 and 2 Panavia Tornadoes. 144 pilots are dead or missing, 28 wounded.
At the landings the Allies were unable to break the defence line decisively. Here artillery, MILAN missiles and the new rifles were of great use. It can be reported that the G-36 did work well. There were three cases though in which the rifle had failed. But this happened at points, where also other weapons failed as they became too hot of use. Here also six K98 rifles and over a dozen MG 34 barrels had to be exchanged in the battle, more after it. The G-36 showed in no way overly bad results. The only point to discuss is the lack of man stopping power, especially at greater ranges. The G-3 issued to former Wehrmacht forces was better in this regard.
The Allied losses of men were high. 36.894 bodies had been recovered after the battle. We assume there are more losses, especially in the waters in front of the landing sides. 32.168 men were captured, including the wounded. Further 14.398 men were captured on the ships surrendering.
Enemy ships sunk: 5 battleships, 19 cruisers, 69 destroyers, 2 Monitors, 299 smaller warships, 101 transports
Enemy ships captured: USS Quincy (II), which was beached to avoid being sunk, USS Meredith (II), HMS Cattistock, HMS Cottismore, 68 landing craft, including 12 LST, 47 transports
Own ships sunk: 3 VP boats, 2 R-boats, 36 men killed, 24 wounded.
GFM Rommel
Chapter I, Part 28: Operation Sodom
- Location
- Hamburg, Germany
Operation Sodom, Berlin, 08./09.06.1944
Operation Sodom was the answer on the German proposals to make peace. Shortly after it was clear the war would go on, Air Marshal Sir Arthur Harris had given the order to attack German cities again. He knew, it would cost substantial forces, but was confident to force the Germans into surrender. They seemed to be pacifists, so it should not be that difficult. And despite the losses he still had about 2.000 heavy bombers to use for. Operation Sodom was a planned attack on several German cities. He ordered Berlin to be the first target. This was because of several reasons. Once he wanted to test the German defense and the construction structures of the new buildings. But he also wanted to ignite a firestorm in Berlin, like it happened in Hamburg the year before. And at last, it would be a message to the "Huns".
At 23:00 o'clock the on June 8th the bombers started from their bases. Shortly before midnight the bombers arrived the continental coast near Amsterdam. Since they flew very low and the only AWAC plane available had been grounded due to a small malfunction, the German RADAR had not tracked them until now. The AWACS were limited in numbers and even more limited in crews as the squadron was a NATO squadron and not so many German operators were there to man all planes. In this case the replacement plane could not take off from Geilenkirchen until 01:12. For the RAF that had been an advantage to fly that low.
The disadvantage was that flak could engage the enemy planes much better. And indeed 18 planes out of 1.097 were destroyed before they could reach Berlin. A further 116 were destroyed by Patriot SAMs of the batteries defending the Ruhr area, Hamburg and Berlin. In the meantime the Luftwaffe scrambled to intercept the incoming bombers. 48 Eurofighter and 22 MiG 29 attacked the enemy shooting down 492 bombers.
Despite these losses the British bombers pressed for Berlin and made an attack run on Berlin hitting Berlin-Wedding and the surrounding places badly. Airport Berlin-Tegel was put out of action as well. 2.937 civilians died. On the way back another 225 bombers were lost, most due to the jets, which could be rearmed and refueled in time. But also the DT night fighters, flak and SAMs got their share. Hardly 80% of the RAF bombers were shot down. Only two DT night fighters were lost.
But for the Allies the horror continued, even after they landed, as these places were already attacked partly when the bombers were just landing. 38 Tornados did start and attack the RAF bases. In one case a Tornado pilot attacked the landing machines with his AIM-9 L Sidewinders and 2,7 cm guns before making the bombing run. He downed two bombers with the Sidewinder missiles and four more with his strafing run, two of them just landed.
For Harris it seemed to be a catastrophe. The very next day the RAF had only 18 bombers of this attack still operational. The loss of nearly 9.000 men captured or dead meant the whole Bomber Command had to be reformed. The aircrews of the RAF and USAAF were were very close to make an open mutiny. Many felt "sick", others openly protested against such actions. For the next months a new attack on Germany was out of question. It would last weeks or even months to pacify the situation with the pilots.
And still it came worse. For the UT population with foreign roots the Event was an even more shocking one, as they felt unsafe, more so than the average UT German. Here many would not want to fight, but that changed after this attack as 48% of the German causalities were of foreign origin, especially of Turkish, African and Arabian origin. This changed their point of view dramatically. The days after many young Turks and Arabs volunteered to fight the Allies, even if they were no German citizens. The pacifists with their "peace now" demand were de facto silenced. No one did listen to them any more.
Also this was the cause for the approval of the German Operation Steinadler.
Operation Sodom was the answer on the German proposals to make peace. Shortly after it was clear the war would go on, Air Marshal Sir Arthur Harris had given the order to attack German cities again. He knew, it would cost substantial forces, but was confident to force the Germans into surrender. They seemed to be pacifists, so it should not be that difficult. And despite the losses he still had about 2.000 heavy bombers to use for. Operation Sodom was a planned attack on several German cities. He ordered Berlin to be the first target. This was because of several reasons. Once he wanted to test the German defense and the construction structures of the new buildings. But he also wanted to ignite a firestorm in Berlin, like it happened in Hamburg the year before. And at last, it would be a message to the "Huns".
At 23:00 o'clock the on June 8th the bombers started from their bases. Shortly before midnight the bombers arrived the continental coast near Amsterdam. Since they flew very low and the only AWAC plane available had been grounded due to a small malfunction, the German RADAR had not tracked them until now. The AWACS were limited in numbers and even more limited in crews as the squadron was a NATO squadron and not so many German operators were there to man all planes. In this case the replacement plane could not take off from Geilenkirchen until 01:12. For the RAF that had been an advantage to fly that low.
The disadvantage was that flak could engage the enemy planes much better. And indeed 18 planes out of 1.097 were destroyed before they could reach Berlin. A further 116 were destroyed by Patriot SAMs of the batteries defending the Ruhr area, Hamburg and Berlin. In the meantime the Luftwaffe scrambled to intercept the incoming bombers. 48 Eurofighter and 22 MiG 29 attacked the enemy shooting down 492 bombers.
Despite these losses the British bombers pressed for Berlin and made an attack run on Berlin hitting Berlin-Wedding and the surrounding places badly. Airport Berlin-Tegel was put out of action as well. 2.937 civilians died. On the way back another 225 bombers were lost, most due to the jets, which could be rearmed and refueled in time. But also the DT night fighters, flak and SAMs got their share. Hardly 80% of the RAF bombers were shot down. Only two DT night fighters were lost.
But for the Allies the horror continued, even after they landed, as these places were already attacked partly when the bombers were just landing. 38 Tornados did start and attack the RAF bases. In one case a Tornado pilot attacked the landing machines with his AIM-9 L Sidewinders and 2,7 cm guns before making the bombing run. He downed two bombers with the Sidewinder missiles and four more with his strafing run, two of them just landed.
For Harris it seemed to be a catastrophe. The very next day the RAF had only 18 bombers of this attack still operational. The loss of nearly 9.000 men captured or dead meant the whole Bomber Command had to be reformed. The aircrews of the RAF and USAAF were were very close to make an open mutiny. Many felt "sick", others openly protested against such actions. For the next months a new attack on Germany was out of question. It would last weeks or even months to pacify the situation with the pilots.
And still it came worse. For the UT population with foreign roots the Event was an even more shocking one, as they felt unsafe, more so than the average UT German. Here many would not want to fight, but that changed after this attack as 48% of the German causalities were of foreign origin, especially of Turkish, African and Arabian origin. This changed their point of view dramatically. The days after many young Turks and Arabs volunteered to fight the Allies, even if they were no German citizens. The pacifists with their "peace now" demand were de facto silenced. No one did listen to them any more.
Also this was the cause for the approval of the German Operation Steinadler.
Chapter I, Part 29: An Address to the Nation
- Location
- Hamburg, Germany
Bundeskanzleramt, Berlin, 09.06.1944, 10:15
Speech by Federal Chancellor Merkel to the nation:
"Meine lieben Mitbürgerinnen und Mitbürger,
Berlin was the target of a terror attack by the British. Over 2.500 people have died. In these minutes the fire-workers, THW and Bundeswehr are working to control the fires and help the injured. We want peace. We never wanted this war. We tried to negotiate an agreement benefiting both sides. All we got is violence. To this day we hoped to find another solution. That was in vain. Thus we are forced by the Allies to answer in kind and to force them to come back to the negotiation table. We will do so. We will take every step necessary, and I repeat every step necessary to enforce negotiations. And we have the means to do so. The Allies will have to change their point of view. As I am talking here German bombers are flying towards Britain and retaliate. We didn't start this mess. But we will end it!
Thank you for your patience."
Speech by Federal Chancellor Merkel to the nation:
"Meine lieben Mitbürgerinnen und Mitbürger,
Berlin was the target of a terror attack by the British. Over 2.500 people have died. In these minutes the fire-workers, THW and Bundeswehr are working to control the fires and help the injured. We want peace. We never wanted this war. We tried to negotiate an agreement benefiting both sides. All we got is violence. To this day we hoped to find another solution. That was in vain. Thus we are forced by the Allies to answer in kind and to force them to come back to the negotiation table. We will do so. We will take every step necessary, and I repeat every step necessary to enforce negotiations. And we have the means to do so. The Allies will have to change their point of view. As I am talking here German bombers are flying towards Britain and retaliate. We didn't start this mess. But we will end it!
Thank you for your patience."
Chapter I, Part 30: Operation Steinadler
- Location
- Hamburg, Germany
Operation Steinadler, 09.-16.06.1944
The Operation Steinadler, or known as the Second Battle of Britain, was the code name for the attack on Britain. Most strikes were conducted by the Luftwaffe. The first targets were air fields, aviation factories and air defense positions. Within 24 hours most targets were hit and destroyed. This meant severe losses for the RAF and the 8th USAAF. Whole wings were eradicated. When the week was over, 698 planes of all kinds were left to defend Britain, among them 19 night fighters, 118 day fighters and 198 bombers. Most of them were hidden. Most aviation factories were destroyed and could no longer produce anything. The HQ of the RAF was destroyed as well. Harris, however, survived. If it was luck it might be questionable, as he, as a kind of scapegoat, was sent to the Falkland islands. As a commander of some obsolete fighters to defend some sheep farmers he thought.
But not only the air forces were attacked, the merchant and war navies as well. And indeed here the German navy took part of as well. In the night of June 10th a British fleet left Portsmouth, as they correctly assumed to be target of the Luftwaffe. The air strike should have been conducted only 12 hours later. Core of this fleet were the surviving battleships of Operation Overlord, HMS Nelson and HMS Rodney, six cruisers and 26 smaller vessels. However, their fleet was detected by a P-3C Orion of the German Navy, as such a move was predicted by the Germans as well. Not knowing they were detected they continued their voyage to Scapa Flow. Near Exmouth death came over them. It was nearly a copy of the battle destroying the Normandy invasion force. The guided missile FAC launched their MM-38 missiles on the escorts. The corvettes their RBS-15 Mk. III missiles on the cruisers. All British ships except the battleships were hit. Either they were sinking at once or they were sunk by the S-boats. Only five ships escaped. Of them two had to be beached and another was a total loss. The battleships tried to run but didn't get far. They were ambushed by the German destroyers and torpedo boats. And although damaging several of them, indeed the destroyer ZH-1 had to be scuttled a few hours later, the torpedoes found their mark. HMS Nelson was hit by six, HMS Rodney by nine. Both ships sunk in short time.
At the end of the week 648 merchant vessels of all types and 265 warships had been sunk. HMS Liverpool was the only cruiser left. The Soviet battleship Archangelsk was sunk by TAURUS cruise missiles.
For Churchill it had been a catastrophe. The RAF was heavily decimated, the RN de facto destroyed, at least in British waters, and the war industry hit badly as well. If the Germans did also attack the transport nodes like railway stations or harbours, Britain might be forced to surrender. So he pressed Stalin to attack. Stalin finally accepted and started Operation Bagration on June 16th.
That day the Luftwaffe flew a last sortie on Britain destroying the Palace of Westminster including Big Ben, Downing Street and the surrounding area. While the Germans had tried to avoid civilian targets being hit before, this was not done this time. Leaflets were dropped that they could each day destroy whole cities with minimal own losses if the Allies continued to deliberate attack German, or German Allied, civilian targets. If they used weapons of mass destruction Germany would "retaliate in kind". As the St. Thomas Hospital was hit as well, 3.699 British civilians died in this attack.
Britain was knocked on, but not knocked out, Churchill thought. He was still drunk since surviving in a bunker next to Downing Street 10. A few more days and Britain had to surrender. Now one could go on. Stalin will get a bigger share of the profit, which was frightening. He needed to talk with Roosevelt about help. He needed especially ships to defend Britain or a panic might happen. And planes- and a plan B if the Germans win against Stalin as well. But that would be risky. OTOH he had risked much before and he had won every time, hadn't he?
The Operation Steinadler, or known as the Second Battle of Britain, was the code name for the attack on Britain. Most strikes were conducted by the Luftwaffe. The first targets were air fields, aviation factories and air defense positions. Within 24 hours most targets were hit and destroyed. This meant severe losses for the RAF and the 8th USAAF. Whole wings were eradicated. When the week was over, 698 planes of all kinds were left to defend Britain, among them 19 night fighters, 118 day fighters and 198 bombers. Most of them were hidden. Most aviation factories were destroyed and could no longer produce anything. The HQ of the RAF was destroyed as well. Harris, however, survived. If it was luck it might be questionable, as he, as a kind of scapegoat, was sent to the Falkland islands. As a commander of some obsolete fighters to defend some sheep farmers he thought.
But not only the air forces were attacked, the merchant and war navies as well. And indeed here the German navy took part of as well. In the night of June 10th a British fleet left Portsmouth, as they correctly assumed to be target of the Luftwaffe. The air strike should have been conducted only 12 hours later. Core of this fleet were the surviving battleships of Operation Overlord, HMS Nelson and HMS Rodney, six cruisers and 26 smaller vessels. However, their fleet was detected by a P-3C Orion of the German Navy, as such a move was predicted by the Germans as well. Not knowing they were detected they continued their voyage to Scapa Flow. Near Exmouth death came over them. It was nearly a copy of the battle destroying the Normandy invasion force. The guided missile FAC launched their MM-38 missiles on the escorts. The corvettes their RBS-15 Mk. III missiles on the cruisers. All British ships except the battleships were hit. Either they were sinking at once or they were sunk by the S-boats. Only five ships escaped. Of them two had to be beached and another was a total loss. The battleships tried to run but didn't get far. They were ambushed by the German destroyers and torpedo boats. And although damaging several of them, indeed the destroyer ZH-1 had to be scuttled a few hours later, the torpedoes found their mark. HMS Nelson was hit by six, HMS Rodney by nine. Both ships sunk in short time.
At the end of the week 648 merchant vessels of all types and 265 warships had been sunk. HMS Liverpool was the only cruiser left. The Soviet battleship Archangelsk was sunk by TAURUS cruise missiles.
For Churchill it had been a catastrophe. The RAF was heavily decimated, the RN de facto destroyed, at least in British waters, and the war industry hit badly as well. If the Germans did also attack the transport nodes like railway stations or harbours, Britain might be forced to surrender. So he pressed Stalin to attack. Stalin finally accepted and started Operation Bagration on June 16th.
That day the Luftwaffe flew a last sortie on Britain destroying the Palace of Westminster including Big Ben, Downing Street and the surrounding area. While the Germans had tried to avoid civilian targets being hit before, this was not done this time. Leaflets were dropped that they could each day destroy whole cities with minimal own losses if the Allies continued to deliberate attack German, or German Allied, civilian targets. If they used weapons of mass destruction Germany would "retaliate in kind". As the St. Thomas Hospital was hit as well, 3.699 British civilians died in this attack.
Britain was knocked on, but not knocked out, Churchill thought. He was still drunk since surviving in a bunker next to Downing Street 10. A few more days and Britain had to surrender. Now one could go on. Stalin will get a bigger share of the profit, which was frightening. He needed to talk with Roosevelt about help. He needed especially ships to defend Britain or a panic might happen. And planes- and a plan B if the Germans win against Stalin as well. But that would be risky. OTOH he had risked much before and he had won every time, hadn't he?
- Location
- Asia
And Bomber Harris gets what he deserved.
EDIT: The Royal Navy's Pacific and Mediterranean Fleets are still intact.
EDIT: The Royal Navy's Pacific and Mediterranean Fleets are still intact.
nullptr
Mostly Harmless
- Location
- The 906
Not that they are likely to be of any use, because they are so far away for one, and because they would just get sunk if they tried anything. It's pretty apparent that DT ships are basically target practice, the only way they win is if Germany runs out of ammo. At this point the smart move is to keep the remaining ships and planes out of it and negotiate a peace, especially since the Germans aren't asking for anything but a return to pre-war status. Sadly, it seems pride is going to cause issues...
Of course, let's not forget that battleships take forever to build and are prohibitively expensive. WWII era battleships of the George V class (like the Prince of Wales) took something along the lines of four-five years between being laid down and commissioned, and cost over seven million pounds. Accounting for inflation that's near 400 million of today's pounds.
Even a Fletcher-class destroyer took something along the lines of 6 to 12 months between being laid down and commissioned. And cost 86 million in today's dollars.
A harpoon missile cost 1.2 million in 2011.
Basically the down time conventional navies are being fucked hard by the cold calculus of war.
Also, Germany in 2019 has twice the GDP (accounting for inflation) of the 1944 US. Granted, Germany needs to switch to a war economy if it wants to play that game.
Even a Fletcher-class destroyer took something along the lines of 6 to 12 months between being laid down and commissioned. And cost 86 million in today's dollars.
A harpoon missile cost 1.2 million in 2011.
Basically the down time conventional navies are being fucked hard by the cold calculus of war.
Also, Germany in 2019 has twice the GDP (accounting for inflation) of the 1944 US. Granted, Germany needs to switch to a war economy if it wants to play that game.
- Location
- Hamburg, Germany
A modern frigate is more costly than a battleship of that time. That means, too, it will hurt the Germans much, if they lose only one ship.
Oh, Mr. Harris will reappear. Sometime.
And yes, Germany is switching to war production.
Oh, Mr. Harris will reappear. Sometime.
And yes, Germany is switching to war production.
- Location
- Pale Blue Dot
Anything else would be deliberate suicide.
An important thing to remember is that the uptime germans have exact geological maps of most of the world, and knows EXACTLY where all deposits that are considered to be digged out in the next 75 years are. Exactly what deposits will prove to be irrelevant. Exactly where the best places are.
Oil is a problem, and the oil fields outside of Norway and Denmark are honestly too risky. Oil platforms will be destroyed in a war like that. However... Cracking of Coal into oil is a chemical process, and the german uptimers are GOOD at that. Much better than the downtimers, I suspect. There are also quite a number of very solid coal areas and mines in Germany that the uptimers don't really want to use (because of pollution), but that they most definitely would use if the alternative is to be shot and thrown in a ditch. And that actually is the situation.
Aluminium production as an alternative to steel will probably be a thing, I suspect. The same with composite materials, plastics and ceramics, where applicable.
As for Stalins offensive... I suspect scout planes + really good maps + really good communication + computers to do the math = Really, really bad news from artillery. Put one uptime artillery cannon and officer with every downtime artillery group, so they can simply tell the downtime artillery officers "23.2 kilometers at 182 degrees, fire needs to land there at 17:31 sharp.... fire in 30 seconds." Even just a communications officer to act as a liaison would do.
Last edited:
Darksoul2142
SUMMONER OF DARK DRAGON
- Location
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Also, remember UT Luftwaffe can easily destroy the Soviet logistical train and industry with impunity. A lack of materiel and the inability to transport any intact materiel will hurt the offensives of Operation Bagration.
- Location
- Asia
On the other hand, until the Germans switch to full, wartime production, they're running on limited stocks of war material. They can't afford to be stingy, but neither can they be too ambitious either.
Chapter I, Part 31: A Babylonian Goddess intervenes
- Location
- Hamburg, Germany
Hamburg, Finkenwerder, Airbus plant, September 21st 1944
"General, it is an honour to have you here," said Kapitän zur See Velten, Commodore of the re-constituted MFG-1 (Naval Air Wing 1) after the subdued pomp and circumstance due a flag officer in wartime. "We have something to show you which I hope you will like."
Newly-minted Brigadegeneral Johannes Steinhoff of the combined German air forces looked around, impressed by the Airbus construction facilities which dwarfed anything he had seen before. "Thank you for the warm welcome, captain," he told his host. "It is still quite a novelty to see all the innovations that have taken place over the following seventy years. Or was it the preceding seventy years? All this time travel nonsense makes me feel like somebody put a knot into my brain." Captain Velten had a chuckle at that. The men mounted a golf cart driven by an Airbus employee who then proceeded to drive them to a hangar a bit to the rear of the premises. Steinhoff noted that there were several flak and SAM emplacements around the expansive plane building plant.
Steinhoff had – along with most of the triple-digit kill "Experten" of the downtime Luftwaffe – been pulled from front line duty to make the most of his experience and leadership abilities. His almost legendary reputation in the uptime Luftwaffe had resulted in his promotion and the portfolio of chief of staff of the uptime/downtime Luftwaffe coordination bureau. He had been humbled, almost embarrassed even, to learn that a fighter wing had been named in his honour. He had been briefed and he had read about his post-1944 career. One thing he definitely would not miss was his horrific burning accident that would otherwise have happened in 1945 and disfigured him permanently.
He thought flippantly, at least I can keep my rugged good looks now. Then, he turned his attention back to his host. "What exactly is it you have invited me for?" "You will see in a few minutes, sir. In fact, you can see it coming up on the left there."
"It" revealed itself to be a long, slim, two-engined civilian airliner obviously having been converted for military use. General Steinhoff was still amazed at the sheer size of most modern planes. That these…monsters could even lift off seemed almost a mkiracle to him. "She looks impressive. Please tell me more about her."
Captain Velten harrumphed. "This is a converted Airbus A350-941, one of the first to have been built and one of only five in Lufthansa's inventory. We impounded all five and started a military conversion program. This is the prototype. We call her the MPA 350 'Tiamat' after the Babylonian goddess of salt water and chaos. Which we found the fitting for our current situation."
The plane sported a digitally created paint job of a mottled mixture of sky-blue, light gray and white on the belly and undersides of the wings and a mottled haze-gray and dark grey camouflage scheme on top, in keeping with its maritime patrol role.
"The plane has a range of almost 20.000 kilometres and a top speed of over 900 kph. We converted the aft three quarters of the main body, adding a large fuel bladder and two rotary octuple bomb and missile racks. Service ceiling is almost 14.000 metres. The plane carries eight air-to-air missiles on hard points under its wings and we also added a remote-controlled 27mm BMK aft and one in a turret on top. Sooner or later, the Allies will have planes that can intercept her even at this altitude."
The crew seemed like a good bunch of people too, very professional and intense but laid back at the same time. The plane had taken off and had made its way around the British islands to the north. The movements of ships in British waters had been duly recorded and the results been sent to Germany for analysis and integration into the war plans.
The captain and co-pilot of the MPA were reservists who had flown Breguet Atlantics and Orions during their time in the navy and who had then joined Lufthansa as pilots. They had been reactivated after the "event" and been involved in the Tiamat program since its inception.
Steinhoff had insisted the crew call him by his nickname, Macky, after all, most military pilots had informal call signs and he felt it helped ease fitting in.
"Macky, this is the OPSO," the voice of the plane's operations officer came through the headset. "Sir, we have a group of ships at two hundred miles bearing 081 true. I'll highlight them for you. ESM detects several radars, indicating several larger warships. Standing orders are going for tankers, troop ships and large surface combatants. The captain will change course so we can VID the ships. With the current visual conditions, the camera should be able to do pick out individual ships at fifty or so nautical miles." "Thank you, lieutenant, what is your weapon range?"
"We have a mix of high explosive and armour piercing glide bombs on board, ratio three quarters to one quarter. Range is over a hundred klicks, a hundred and twenty in good conditions. The poor bastards won't even know what hit'em."
The MPA's war load consisted of two variants of the Pilum glide bomb, jointly developed with Israel before the event. The guidance package was a mix of 3D-CCD, electro-optical, laser and inertial guidance. The bombs were fire-and-forget but the weapons operators were able at any point to guide them into their target by direct control.
Convoy TCU 54 B, a fast convoy from new York to Liverpool, had been strengthened from its usual escort group of six to eight destroyer escorts to include an escort carrier, HMS Trouncer, and a cruiser, USS Boston in order to lend a bit more eyes, ears and punch to the escort group.
The crews were nervous. After an almost unbroken string of naval victories against the Kriegsmarine's u-boats, losses had been increasing in the past weeks. Rumours abounded about new Wunderwaffen which the officers were trying their best to suppress. At least this crossing of the Atlantic had been uneventful. Another day's sailing and the convoy would be in reach of land-based air cover. This had become possible only recently again.
"OPSO, camera operator. Numerous contacts. Visually identified as one US cruiser, Baltimore class, one escort carrier, Bogue class, eight destroyer escorts and twenty-five plus freighters, looks like tankers and ammunition carriers. Designated contacts as per operations plan."
The operations officer, a Kapitänleutnant, thought for a minute and then gave his orders. "Targeting order of precedence, carrier, then cruiser, then freighters. Destroyer escorts lowest priority. Two HE for the carrier, two AP for the cruiser and one HE for each freighter." He then gave a course and speed request to the pilots in order to maximize exposure of the targets to the target designators. In effect, the MPA would fly a circular route to keep the distance to the convoy and thus out of sight. The enemy air search radar would in all likelihood not be able to detect them, due to range issues and the radar-absorbent paint job of the plane.
"General, sir, we are about to engage the enemy convoy. Range 47 nautical miles. You are of course free to choose whatever surveillance channel you prefer. Guidance personnel, stand by for execution of attack sequence."
The OPSO proceeded to feed targeting information into the first four bombs, each of which would be controlled and if necessary guided by one operator. The launching sequence check list was calmly ticked off one point after the other. Then it was time. The fore bomb hatch opened and the selected bomb was rotated to the downward position. The OPSO pressed the launch button. "Bomb one away." The aircraft gave a minute shudder that was repeated three more times every four seconds.
The flight time for the bombs was almost five minutes. The autonomous optical guidance chip had sorted through its onboard library of WW2-era ships, found their respective targets' files and were now aiming for pre-programmed weak spots in their hulls. The first indication for the convoy that something was very wrong was when four explosions, mere seconds apart, ripped through the carrier and cruiser. In both cases, the bombs penetrated the deck and burrowed into the ships' innards before detonating, ripping deep gashes into their targets and causing sympathetic explosions, fires and flooding.. USS Boston was torn asunder as one of her ammunition stores was hit and detonated. HMS Trouncer was gutted by the twin explosions and quickly burned out of control. The surviving crew had to abandon ship and the burned-out carrier sunk an hour later.
As there had been no warning whatsoever, the rest of the convoy's crews immediately assumed that the convoy was under submarine attack and began evasive procedures.
"Four good hits. Switching to freighters as targets." Soon the next four bombs were on their way, all carrying high explosive warheads on their way to their four targets, three tankers an one ammunition freighter. The result was pretty much the same as with the first salvo, with the ammunition freighter vanishing in a fireball as it exploded with the force of a small tactical nuclear weapon when its load, several thousand tons of propellant, aerial bombs and artillery shells, exploded. The debris and shockwave damaged four other freighters and set the superstructure of a destroyer escort aflame.
"Whoa. Look at that ship blow up," exclaimed the camera operator. Apart from this somewhat emotional display, the crew were going about the unpleasant business with grim determination and professionalism. To General Steinhoff, it was a direct introduction to modern warfare. He had heard that the MPA couldn't have dared approach a fleet like it had done just now in the 21st century as the range of surface-to-air missiles would have made it a suicidal endeavor. As the affair played out before him, it seemed like the closest thing to murder he could think of. But times were desperate enough for this not to matter. Yet.
After the third salvo, the magazines did not hold HE bombs any more and the OPSO decided to hunt for targets of opportunity to the west of the British Isles and hopefully find a few juicy targets rating armour-piercing ordnance. The plane still had almost eight hours of loitering time left, after all. With most of the Royal navy gutted and playing artificial reef somewhere, the US Navy was left as the main antagonist in the Atlantic. The Soviet fleet was the same sad joke historical sources said it was.
"General, it is an honour to have you here," said Kapitän zur See Velten, Commodore of the re-constituted MFG-1 (Naval Air Wing 1) after the subdued pomp and circumstance due a flag officer in wartime. "We have something to show you which I hope you will like."
Newly-minted Brigadegeneral Johannes Steinhoff of the combined German air forces looked around, impressed by the Airbus construction facilities which dwarfed anything he had seen before. "Thank you for the warm welcome, captain," he told his host. "It is still quite a novelty to see all the innovations that have taken place over the following seventy years. Or was it the preceding seventy years? All this time travel nonsense makes me feel like somebody put a knot into my brain." Captain Velten had a chuckle at that. The men mounted a golf cart driven by an Airbus employee who then proceeded to drive them to a hangar a bit to the rear of the premises. Steinhoff noted that there were several flak and SAM emplacements around the expansive plane building plant.
Steinhoff had – along with most of the triple-digit kill "Experten" of the downtime Luftwaffe – been pulled from front line duty to make the most of his experience and leadership abilities. His almost legendary reputation in the uptime Luftwaffe had resulted in his promotion and the portfolio of chief of staff of the uptime/downtime Luftwaffe coordination bureau. He had been humbled, almost embarrassed even, to learn that a fighter wing had been named in his honour. He had been briefed and he had read about his post-1944 career. One thing he definitely would not miss was his horrific burning accident that would otherwise have happened in 1945 and disfigured him permanently.
He thought flippantly, at least I can keep my rugged good looks now. Then, he turned his attention back to his host. "What exactly is it you have invited me for?" "You will see in a few minutes, sir. In fact, you can see it coming up on the left there."
"It" revealed itself to be a long, slim, two-engined civilian airliner obviously having been converted for military use. General Steinhoff was still amazed at the sheer size of most modern planes. That these…monsters could even lift off seemed almost a mkiracle to him. "She looks impressive. Please tell me more about her."
Captain Velten harrumphed. "This is a converted Airbus A350-941, one of the first to have been built and one of only five in Lufthansa's inventory. We impounded all five and started a military conversion program. This is the prototype. We call her the MPA 350 'Tiamat' after the Babylonian goddess of salt water and chaos. Which we found the fitting for our current situation."
The plane sported a digitally created paint job of a mottled mixture of sky-blue, light gray and white on the belly and undersides of the wings and a mottled haze-gray and dark grey camouflage scheme on top, in keeping with its maritime patrol role.
"The plane has a range of almost 20.000 kilometres and a top speed of over 900 kph. We converted the aft three quarters of the main body, adding a large fuel bladder and two rotary octuple bomb and missile racks. Service ceiling is almost 14.000 metres. The plane carries eight air-to-air missiles on hard points under its wings and we also added a remote-controlled 27mm BMK aft and one in a turret on top. Sooner or later, the Allies will have planes that can intercept her even at this altitude."
The crew seemed like a good bunch of people too, very professional and intense but laid back at the same time. The plane had taken off and had made its way around the British islands to the north. The movements of ships in British waters had been duly recorded and the results been sent to Germany for analysis and integration into the war plans.
The captain and co-pilot of the MPA were reservists who had flown Breguet Atlantics and Orions during their time in the navy and who had then joined Lufthansa as pilots. They had been reactivated after the "event" and been involved in the Tiamat program since its inception.
Steinhoff had insisted the crew call him by his nickname, Macky, after all, most military pilots had informal call signs and he felt it helped ease fitting in.
"Macky, this is the OPSO," the voice of the plane's operations officer came through the headset. "Sir, we have a group of ships at two hundred miles bearing 081 true. I'll highlight them for you. ESM detects several radars, indicating several larger warships. Standing orders are going for tankers, troop ships and large surface combatants. The captain will change course so we can VID the ships. With the current visual conditions, the camera should be able to do pick out individual ships at fifty or so nautical miles." "Thank you, lieutenant, what is your weapon range?"
"We have a mix of high explosive and armour piercing glide bombs on board, ratio three quarters to one quarter. Range is over a hundred klicks, a hundred and twenty in good conditions. The poor bastards won't even know what hit'em."
The MPA's war load consisted of two variants of the Pilum glide bomb, jointly developed with Israel before the event. The guidance package was a mix of 3D-CCD, electro-optical, laser and inertial guidance. The bombs were fire-and-forget but the weapons operators were able at any point to guide them into their target by direct control.
Convoy TCU 54 B, a fast convoy from new York to Liverpool, had been strengthened from its usual escort group of six to eight destroyer escorts to include an escort carrier, HMS Trouncer, and a cruiser, USS Boston in order to lend a bit more eyes, ears and punch to the escort group.
The crews were nervous. After an almost unbroken string of naval victories against the Kriegsmarine's u-boats, losses had been increasing in the past weeks. Rumours abounded about new Wunderwaffen which the officers were trying their best to suppress. At least this crossing of the Atlantic had been uneventful. Another day's sailing and the convoy would be in reach of land-based air cover. This had become possible only recently again.
"OPSO, camera operator. Numerous contacts. Visually identified as one US cruiser, Baltimore class, one escort carrier, Bogue class, eight destroyer escorts and twenty-five plus freighters, looks like tankers and ammunition carriers. Designated contacts as per operations plan."
The operations officer, a Kapitänleutnant, thought for a minute and then gave his orders. "Targeting order of precedence, carrier, then cruiser, then freighters. Destroyer escorts lowest priority. Two HE for the carrier, two AP for the cruiser and one HE for each freighter." He then gave a course and speed request to the pilots in order to maximize exposure of the targets to the target designators. In effect, the MPA would fly a circular route to keep the distance to the convoy and thus out of sight. The enemy air search radar would in all likelihood not be able to detect them, due to range issues and the radar-absorbent paint job of the plane.
"General, sir, we are about to engage the enemy convoy. Range 47 nautical miles. You are of course free to choose whatever surveillance channel you prefer. Guidance personnel, stand by for execution of attack sequence."
The OPSO proceeded to feed targeting information into the first four bombs, each of which would be controlled and if necessary guided by one operator. The launching sequence check list was calmly ticked off one point after the other. Then it was time. The fore bomb hatch opened and the selected bomb was rotated to the downward position. The OPSO pressed the launch button. "Bomb one away." The aircraft gave a minute shudder that was repeated three more times every four seconds.
The flight time for the bombs was almost five minutes. The autonomous optical guidance chip had sorted through its onboard library of WW2-era ships, found their respective targets' files and were now aiming for pre-programmed weak spots in their hulls. The first indication for the convoy that something was very wrong was when four explosions, mere seconds apart, ripped through the carrier and cruiser. In both cases, the bombs penetrated the deck and burrowed into the ships' innards before detonating, ripping deep gashes into their targets and causing sympathetic explosions, fires and flooding.. USS Boston was torn asunder as one of her ammunition stores was hit and detonated. HMS Trouncer was gutted by the twin explosions and quickly burned out of control. The surviving crew had to abandon ship and the burned-out carrier sunk an hour later.
As there had been no warning whatsoever, the rest of the convoy's crews immediately assumed that the convoy was under submarine attack and began evasive procedures.
"Four good hits. Switching to freighters as targets." Soon the next four bombs were on their way, all carrying high explosive warheads on their way to their four targets, three tankers an one ammunition freighter. The result was pretty much the same as with the first salvo, with the ammunition freighter vanishing in a fireball as it exploded with the force of a small tactical nuclear weapon when its load, several thousand tons of propellant, aerial bombs and artillery shells, exploded. The debris and shockwave damaged four other freighters and set the superstructure of a destroyer escort aflame.
"Whoa. Look at that ship blow up," exclaimed the camera operator. Apart from this somewhat emotional display, the crew were going about the unpleasant business with grim determination and professionalism. To General Steinhoff, it was a direct introduction to modern warfare. He had heard that the MPA couldn't have dared approach a fleet like it had done just now in the 21st century as the range of surface-to-air missiles would have made it a suicidal endeavor. As the affair played out before him, it seemed like the closest thing to murder he could think of. But times were desperate enough for this not to matter. Yet.
After the third salvo, the magazines did not hold HE bombs any more and the OPSO decided to hunt for targets of opportunity to the west of the British Isles and hopefully find a few juicy targets rating armour-piercing ordnance. The plane still had almost eight hours of loitering time left, after all. With most of the Royal navy gutted and playing artificial reef somewhere, the US Navy was left as the main antagonist in the Atlantic. The Soviet fleet was the same sad joke historical sources said it was.
- Status