Just a quick note to say that I only discovered this recently and am really enjoying it. Don't think I've seen these ramifications from a POD before. I am looking forward to more!
Cheers!
Cheers!
Getting Ahead of Ourselves: A B-29 TL
- Thread starter Parmenion
- Start date
Iceberg, Conclusion
By the second week of December, the battle of Formosa began to once again shift in the American's favor. The arrival of phosgene gas didn't immediately cripple the Japanese, they had been prepared with gas masks. However this was a luxury not typically granted to the Taiwanese conscripts. This meant that the men who made up the majority of the Japanese support personel behind the line were at the mercy of the gas attacks. Defections skyrocketed, as the Taisho line was finally abandoned on the 16th.
General Ando now made his stand at the final "Showa" line, anchored on the Dahan river valley South of Taihoku/Taipei. With all of his reserves commited, and the stench of gas omnipresent on the battlefield, a final clash began. The advance was slow, troops dug in on the mountainside, constantly stalking officers and other visible soldiers. The fighting was, in the words of one historian "A mix of Stalingrad and Verdun" as the various towns to the South of Taihoku were turned into forts.
The situation was made worse as the front was now too far inland for most ships to provide gunfire support. The Showa line stretched into the city itself, every street was a firing range, every window was a turret. Many of the remaining tanks were actually hidden inside partially demolished buildings, waiting in ambush. Faced with increasingly few options, the 20th air force launched three nights of low altitude incendiary bombing on the undefended city, killing thousands of soldiers and civilians alike.
The battle of Formosa was also one of the first documented cases of large scale atrocities carried out by American forces. After the insurgency had begun, an unoffical tactic of demolishing the entire nearest village became comenplace. The exact number of Taiwanese civilians who were killed by American soldiers is hard to accurately measure, but most sources estimate that at least 100,000 were killed, not to mention thousands of cases of rape and looting.
By mid January, with his reserves depleted and his grip on Taihoku loosening, General Ando withdrew with his remaining 30,000 regulars and about 20,000 Taiwanese into the central mountains. His force would continue to pester the marines, requiring an entire three divisions to be stationed permanantly to keep them at bay. The mountains of Taiwan became a free for all, with marines, Japanese soldiers, and local Formosan's clashing over food and resources as much as they actually fought for proper objectives.
Even as the battle was ongoing, the seabees were hard at work repairing and expanding the military infrastructure of the island. By February over a thousand aircraft would call the island home, to help carry out attacks from Korea to French Indochina. They also began plans to neutralize the Hanoi railway, that was now the only way for Japan to continue to recieve oil from the East Indies. In the meantime General Eichelberger was hard at work preparing for the assault on Okinawa. With the marines materially and spiritually spent, and four of their divisons now on garrison duty, this would fall to the army.
General Ando now made his stand at the final "Showa" line, anchored on the Dahan river valley South of Taihoku/Taipei. With all of his reserves commited, and the stench of gas omnipresent on the battlefield, a final clash began. The advance was slow, troops dug in on the mountainside, constantly stalking officers and other visible soldiers. The fighting was, in the words of one historian "A mix of Stalingrad and Verdun" as the various towns to the South of Taihoku were turned into forts.
The situation was made worse as the front was now too far inland for most ships to provide gunfire support. The Showa line stretched into the city itself, every street was a firing range, every window was a turret. Many of the remaining tanks were actually hidden inside partially demolished buildings, waiting in ambush. Faced with increasingly few options, the 20th air force launched three nights of low altitude incendiary bombing on the undefended city, killing thousands of soldiers and civilians alike.
The battle of Formosa was also one of the first documented cases of large scale atrocities carried out by American forces. After the insurgency had begun, an unoffical tactic of demolishing the entire nearest village became comenplace. The exact number of Taiwanese civilians who were killed by American soldiers is hard to accurately measure, but most sources estimate that at least 100,000 were killed, not to mention thousands of cases of rape and looting.
By mid January, with his reserves depleted and his grip on Taihoku loosening, General Ando withdrew with his remaining 30,000 regulars and about 20,000 Taiwanese into the central mountains. His force would continue to pester the marines, requiring an entire three divisions to be stationed permanantly to keep them at bay. The mountains of Taiwan became a free for all, with marines, Japanese soldiers, and local Formosan's clashing over food and resources as much as they actually fought for proper objectives.
Even as the battle was ongoing, the seabees were hard at work repairing and expanding the military infrastructure of the island. By February over a thousand aircraft would call the island home, to help carry out attacks from Korea to French Indochina. They also began plans to neutralize the Hanoi railway, that was now the only way for Japan to continue to recieve oil from the East Indies. In the meantime General Eichelberger was hard at work preparing for the assault on Okinawa. With the marines materially and spiritually spent, and four of their divisons now on garrison duty, this would fall to the army.
Part 47- Shifting Focus
On new years day 1945, the Red Army began it's next offensive. The objectives were straightforward, destroy the German forces in East Prussia, and drive as far West as circumstances would allow. Nearly 2,500,000 men and women took part in the offensive, including 12 divisions of the Polish armed forces, who made up much of the center line. The Pole's had recieved huge deliveries of supplies and arms from the west, including 200 P-51 Mustangs.
The German forces along the Vistula were depleted and outnumbered, about 500,000 men in mauled divisions were available to resist the East. The various commanders of the Eastern armies had begged Hitler to allow them to withdraw to the Oder, but he had refused to cede any German territory without a fight. As Marshal Zhukov gave to the order for the attack to begin, many thought that the deathblow to the reich was finally being struck.
The offensive was announced with a massive air attack, thousands of planes struck anything that looked German. The Luftwaffe, starved for fuel and outnumbered atrociously, could do little to resist. The Polish troops, despite having almost no tanks and limited motorized equipment, advanced rapidly. The Pole's were by now accustomed to operating without heavy equiment, and used their field guns as anti-tank guns and reactivated the Polish mounted cavalry to keep up the advance. The Polish army also benefited from it's slightly more lenient treatment of German prisoners, which meant that they often didn't have to fight every isolated German unit to the death.
However the offensive did also stretch the already frayed relations between the Pole's and Soviets even further. A development that had been noticed since the Red Army first entered Poland months ago, was the brutality inflicted on the Polish people by Soviet forces. This had scarcely improved since the liberation of Warsaw, and was made worse by the fact that large portions of the front were manned exclusively by Soviet units.
Things were the worst in the South. When Kraków was taken by the Red Army on the 7th, officers reported widespread rape and looting, in some cases to such an extent that they lost control of their men. The local resistance units shifted from fighting the Nazi's to fighting the Russians, the situation threatening to destroy the city. Finally on the 12th the newly raised Polish 2nd cavalry division arrived in the city, who exchanged fire with Soviet troops. After a tense standoff Stalin reluctantly ordered his forces to leave the city the next day.
There was one final act by the Polish resistance that has historical significance. Just days after the offensive began, it was clear Kraków and the surrounding region would fall. The resulted in the Germans preparing to remove or destroy every asset in the area, including Auschwiz extermination camp. Home Army units in the area caught wind of the German plan to send the remaining prisoners West, and sought to stop it at all cost. While a direct assault was unfeasable, due to the number of German forces around the camp, the surroundings were not.
Rails were destroyed, trains were ambushed. Roadblocks were created to attack the soldiers escorting the prisoners who were marched out on foot. As the Soviets closed in on the 15th, commadant Rudolf Hoess and his forces attempted to execute the remaining few thousand prisoners in the camp, only for a large contingent of resistance forces to finally storm the camp. The remaining camp prisoners fought back as well despite their weakened condition, and the camp was finally secure. Hoess was never found, and several sources point to him and other camp officers being executed via crematorium oven.
As the offensive was still ongoing, diplomatic matters still needed to be discussed. Yalta had already been selected as the venue, and was supposed to be attended by Stalin, Churchill, and newly elected President Morganthau. The Polish Provisional Republic also requested to send Prime Minister Sikorski, and despite Stalins objection they agreed.
The German forces along the Vistula were depleted and outnumbered, about 500,000 men in mauled divisions were available to resist the East. The various commanders of the Eastern armies had begged Hitler to allow them to withdraw to the Oder, but he had refused to cede any German territory without a fight. As Marshal Zhukov gave to the order for the attack to begin, many thought that the deathblow to the reich was finally being struck.
The offensive was announced with a massive air attack, thousands of planes struck anything that looked German. The Luftwaffe, starved for fuel and outnumbered atrociously, could do little to resist. The Polish troops, despite having almost no tanks and limited motorized equipment, advanced rapidly. The Pole's were by now accustomed to operating without heavy equiment, and used their field guns as anti-tank guns and reactivated the Polish mounted cavalry to keep up the advance. The Polish army also benefited from it's slightly more lenient treatment of German prisoners, which meant that they often didn't have to fight every isolated German unit to the death.
However the offensive did also stretch the already frayed relations between the Pole's and Soviets even further. A development that had been noticed since the Red Army first entered Poland months ago, was the brutality inflicted on the Polish people by Soviet forces. This had scarcely improved since the liberation of Warsaw, and was made worse by the fact that large portions of the front were manned exclusively by Soviet units.
Things were the worst in the South. When Kraków was taken by the Red Army on the 7th, officers reported widespread rape and looting, in some cases to such an extent that they lost control of their men. The local resistance units shifted from fighting the Nazi's to fighting the Russians, the situation threatening to destroy the city. Finally on the 12th the newly raised Polish 2nd cavalry division arrived in the city, who exchanged fire with Soviet troops. After a tense standoff Stalin reluctantly ordered his forces to leave the city the next day.
There was one final act by the Polish resistance that has historical significance. Just days after the offensive began, it was clear Kraków and the surrounding region would fall. The resulted in the Germans preparing to remove or destroy every asset in the area, including Auschwiz extermination camp. Home Army units in the area caught wind of the German plan to send the remaining prisoners West, and sought to stop it at all cost. While a direct assault was unfeasable, due to the number of German forces around the camp, the surroundings were not.
Rails were destroyed, trains were ambushed. Roadblocks were created to attack the soldiers escorting the prisoners who were marched out on foot. As the Soviets closed in on the 15th, commadant Rudolf Hoess and his forces attempted to execute the remaining few thousand prisoners in the camp, only for a large contingent of resistance forces to finally storm the camp. The remaining camp prisoners fought back as well despite their weakened condition, and the camp was finally secure. Hoess was never found, and several sources point to him and other camp officers being executed via crematorium oven.
As the offensive was still ongoing, diplomatic matters still needed to be discussed. Yalta had already been selected as the venue, and was supposed to be attended by Stalin, Churchill, and newly elected President Morganthau. The Polish Provisional Republic also requested to send Prime Minister Sikorski, and despite Stalins objection they agreed.
When the Polish, who spent the last five years suffering genocide and tyrrany at the German hands, are considered the more merciful army, it speaks volumes of just what a Frenzy stalin has whipped his forces in to.
Surprised Stalin gave up Krakow, given his recent actions.
Surprised Stalin gave up Krakow, given his recent actions.
He plans on eating the whole cake in a short while, no reason to risk an upset beforehand.
So what's going on in the West? Based on what I see here, there shouldn't be a Bulge and the American and British armies should be heading eastwards as quickly as they can.
It's a slightly more favorable for German than OTL. Not all of the forces that were used in the attack on Warsaw came from the OTL bulge units. Rommel is still in charge out West (there was not July 20 plot because of butterflies) and used the reserves he got to dig in and hold on for dear life, but overall it's pretty similar to otl.
Part 48- Yalta
Yalta, February 6th, 1945
The first days of the conference had only been productive from a PR perspective. Hands were shook, smiling photographs taken, grand dinners held where long winded toasts to camaraderie and cooperation were proposed. This had been of course to show the world that the big three, plus an honored guest, were still pals. Now that the photoshoots had concluded, the actual work could begin. There were no press tables or banquet halls here, Europe's fate would be decided in a simple room, with four leaders and three interperators as the only witnesses.
The first hour was essentially redundant. Old promises were reaffirmed, and the talk soon lost it's importance. Prime Minister Sikorski took this time to saw his piece. Shooting an icey glare at Stalin he said "My friends, I wish to discuss some matters that you may both find quite nauseating, but you must know what horrors the Red Army has wrought on my nation." Stalin didn't bother to stand as he responded "Vlad, we both know you're exaggerating things to get a deal that serves Poland's interests more than those of the world." "Oh really?" Sikorski walked to the door and opened it "Please come in."
Two Polish clerks entered, each with a dolly stacked high with large binders. They made two more trips to form a substantial pile, before Sikorski politely dismissed them. Stalin seethed "What nonsense is this? I warned you both that sending him was a waste of time, all we need is De Gaulle and we'll have a proper circus." Sikorski ignored him, and turned to the other leaders "Prime Minister, please take a look, any paper it doesn't matter." "Sure thing old boy." Churchill said with a smile, before sauntering over to the pile of binders.
Moments after he picked a paper, he dropped it as he visibly recoiled "What in the name of bloody Christ is this!" he shouted, exasperated. President Morganthau stood up to take a look for himself "Dear lord..." he said putting a hand to his mouth." Sikorski took the photograph and read the Polish on the backside "Ah, that. That would be a grammar school outside Tarnów, the day after it was "liberated" by Soviet forces. Morganthau paled "Are these all...?" "And this is just what we could fit on the plane, I've had five clerks shoot themselves."
Morganthau looked to Stalin "Well?!" The old Bolshevik rolled his eyes "This is war comrades. Do you really think there is a man in my uniform who hasn't had that happen to his family? These men have fought through a thousand kilometers of nazi europe, don't tell me your men didn't lose themselves to hatred once or twice in France." Churchill stood up, aghast "We at least make sure disipline is enforced, this isn't some company pastime. If this is how you treat your so-called allies lord knows how you'll treat the huns."
Stalin's face went almost blank "Don't tell me you'll cry about that? Besides, the Pole's haven't been saints in East Prussia." Sikorski bitterly nodded "This continent has bled enough for one eternity, I have no desire to see what boundry we can push." The room went quiet for a moment, before Sikorski continued "Mr.President, if somehow say Massachusetts, had fallen to the krauts and the Canadians had treated Boston the way you've seen here, would you be so eager to fogive and forget?"
Morganthau took several rapid, deep breaths "Forgive, well I'm a god fearing man. Forget, never in a million years." Stalin rose sharply "Sikorski, if you want to leave this room I suggest you drop this matter" at that Churchill pounded the table "Don't test me you bloody red, I'm not your friend when the cameras can't see us. Vlad, could I possibly arrage to have some of these documents sent back to London with me? I don't think this should die quietly." "By all means, we have copies." "In the meantime," Morganthau said "We might need to see about a another partner in the administration of postwar Germany." Stalin was burning inside, only kept from exploding by his scheme that was yet to unfold.
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Did Stalin just threaten to kill another conference member? That's not a good image.
Also grammar note: The subsequent sentence "at that Churchill..." should start with a capital A since it is not a continuation of Stalin's actions.
im pretty sure he was also German born and thus ineligible to be president
edit. Sorry I was thinking of his father who immigrated disregard
Mostly because the Wallies see Poland reasserting themselves like this as a good way to move the iron curtain further East, as well as limiting their influence in postwar Germany.
Because he he outright refuses to cooperate at this point then he's worried that:
1) The Wallies will draw up europe without him
2) He's still not taking Poland as seriously as he should
3) He still has some faith in the fantasy that if he pushes too hard now, the Wallies will sign a seperate piece with Hitler and team up on him.
What are the communists in france doing? This is turning into a Polish wank.
Why would the allies suddenly decide to use b29s in europe. I have searched the entire tl without finding a explanation