Forethought

Never been an apologist for Hitler, or the Nazis. The whole idea of National Socialism was abhorrent to me at school, at university, when I was a communist, and now that I’m a conservative it remains a fearful reminder of just how wrong democracy can become if there are no valid safeguards.That is, in principle probably what went ‘wrong’ in 1920’s and 1930’s Germany, but I’ll bore you with that (it is a hotly debated subject) another day.

Thus today's little gem. Someone passed me this link to a YouTube video were Hitler discusses with the legendary Finnish general Mannerheim. The discussion is not one of his hallmark rambling perorations full of the ‘sound and fury but ultimately signifying nothing’ to which we have become accustomed. There are many salient points, but I’ll try to limit it to two. The main part of the discussion is relevant to the surprise (It is sometime in 1942), of not only Russian (Soviet) resistance but to the level of armaments and reserves the Russians have available.

But what interests me is Hitler’s claim that he wanted to proceed with an invasion of France and destruction of Allied forces in the West in 1939! (The famous invasion was in May 1940). Once the pitiful remnants of Polish resistance were mopped up he wanted to switch the axis, 180º and fly off towards Paris.

This is interesting. Alan Clark does spot several moments when Hitler seems to have an uncanny ability to spot the perfect strategic moment. (His orders to hold fast in the blazing winter Soviet offensive of 1941 are by en large, the right decision given the circumstances). But certainly, though I have no idea what real options for a westward offensive the Wehrmacht actually possessed we do know that French defences in 1939 were no better than in May 1940… and the political leadership both in Paris and London, was still very jittery to say the least.

But there is more. An opening gambit of Poland, and following swiftly with an attack on the west in 1939 is a standard Axis move on Paradox Entertainment's, Hearts of Iron II. One which confirms the “high-risk high-yield” tactic an Axis player is pretty much forced to pursue. Interesting, but like everything else academic. The bad weather is faulted by Hitler himself as the real reason they did not execute Case Yellow (Fäll Gelb), in 1939.