Beck opposes Hitler on Czechoslovakia

 1938  No Responses »
May 052013
 

5th May 1938

Generaloberst Ludwig Beck has submitted a memo to Hitler stating his opposition to Fall Grun (Case Green), Hitler’s code name for a general invasion of Czechoslovakia.

Ludwig Beck

Generaloberst Ludwig Beck

Beck isn’t opposed to the invasion of Czechoslovakia, but has serious doubts as to Germany’s readiness to deal with the resultant backlash from other nations. Hitler has almost 100 divisions available to deal with Czechoslovakia, Beck is more concerned with how other nations will react. It is likely that Russia will side with the Slavik nations, in the same manner as in 1914, on Germany’s eastern frontier. France has publicly announced it’s intention to protect Czechoslovakia and it’s entente with Great Britain would almost certainly bring Europe’s largest army (France) and largest navy (Britain) together on Germany’s western borders and sea lanes.

Beck is advocating waiting until German forces are stronger both technologically and in terms of manpower before attacking Czechoslovakia, which he agrees must be destroyed to provide Germany with the lebensraum advocated in the Hossbach Meeting of November 1937. Hitler isn’t used to being questioned, but seems to be taking Beck’s advice as it is intended, as an opposing view, aimed at Germany’s best interests. His strong support of Hitler’s remilitarisation has clearly gained him favour with the Fuhrer, even after he refused the order to draw up Fall Otto (Case Otto – the invasion of Austria) last May. Hitler has continued to listen to his advice, even if he doesn’t heed it. His reasoning for disobeying that order was that he didn’t want to provoke a world war before Germany was ready for one.

In other news, the Vatican has recognised Franco’s government in Spain. This development is a blow for the Republican forces in the largely Catholic nation. Formal recognition is increasing with a number of states recognising the Fascist government of Franco. The fact that the head of the major religion of the nation has recognised Franco is a significant development and a morale booster for the Nationalists.

German Elections and Referendum

 1938  No Responses »
Apr 102013
 

10th April 1938

Germany has held an election (of sorts) and a referendum. The referendum asked simply whether the people approve a single ticket National Socialist list for the Reichstag. With over 49 million voters, less than 1% rejected the proposal, meaning a staggerring 48.5 million people have submitted to Hitler’s wish that his party be their sole representative in parliament. The voters consisted of 44.5 million Germans and the 4.5 million recent additions to the Reich from Austria.150px-Bundesarchiv_Bild_102-13774,_Adolf_Hitler

Both voter turnout and support for the Nazis surpassed 99%, leaving little doubt of the support for Hitler and his party. There were some small numbers of voters against the proposal, and an even smaller number of informal votes.

The new Reichstag will meet for the first time on 30th January 1939, leaving another 8 months before the changes take effect, but with an overwhelming majority already, it will mean little for the Nazis, only strengthening their mandate.

Japan Suffers first Defeat

 1938  No Responses »
Apr 072013
 

7th April 1938

Chiang Kai-shek’s forces in China have dispelled the myth of Japanese invincibility on the battlefield with a significant victory in China.

Urban Warfare Taierzhuang

Chinese Troops engaging the Japanese in urban warfare.

With 16,000 dead and some major equipment losses, the Japanese have suffered their first defeat in the Second Sino-Japanese war. Uncharacteristically, 719 Japanese soldiers were captured in the 2 week long battle. Only a lack of mobility on the part of the Chinese forces prevented a pursuit of the fleeing Japanese forces, which may have resulted in an even greater victory. China has been in need of a battle victory for some time and has finally got the morale boost it needs.

While not downplaying the Chinese part in the victory, it can be largely attributed to Japanese overconfidence and arrogance. The Chinese must be given credit for laying a clever trap drawing the Japanese into battle on Chinese terms.

The Japanese Army in China has ignored orders from Tokyo for a temporary truce. Elements of the Japanese forces have attempted to rush objectives, resulting in long lines of communication and poor logistic support. With the long list of victories to date, they seem to believe they can take any objective at will. Chiang Kai-shek’s forces on the other hand are fighting in more familiar territory and have consolidated their forces .  Despite having not recovered from heavy losses in previous battles, the Chinese are rallying at a crucial point. Defence of this area is crucial to the overall defence of Wuhan, the new seat of government.

While not necessarily a turning point yet, the Chinese have put a line in the sand and are prepared to defend. The Japanese have learned a lesson and we’ll wait to see what ensues.

Italians bomb Barcelona

 1938  No Responses »
Mar 182013
 

18th March 1938

The Italian Air Force has waged a major bombing campaign against Barcelona. With a raid every 3 hours for nearly 3 days, it appears that they have achieved somewhere between 1,000 and 1,300 deaths for zero Italian losses.

SM79 Bombers

Italian SM 79 Bombers (with Spanish Nationalist markings) similar to these attacked Barcelona 16th-18th March 1938.

Republican air defence was limited to anti-aircraft artillery until the 17th, then the Republican Air Force joined the fray, but hasn’t proven effective, failing to inflict any losses on the Italians.  The Italians have been flying their own aircraft, but decked out in Spanish Nationalist markings.

The bombings haven’t particularly targeted military installations and are largely throught to be an effort to instill terror on the civilian population. International condemnation has been strong with the US Secretary of State, Cordell Hull, being one of the most verdant speakers. Mussolini on the other hand has been quite proud of his Air Force claiming that the ruthless nature of the raids and the horror invoked would raise their profile with the Germans who, according to Mussloini, like that sort of thing. Franco himself has been less impressed with the killing of non-combatants and is reportedly likely to ask the Italian to cease bombing civilian targets.

 

In other news: German General Fritsch’s trial for homosexual behaviour has found him innocent of the charges, but his career still seems doomed and he will not be reappointed to his former posts. Hitler took the oportunity to reshuffle his senior army leadership and seems happy with his new team for now.

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