Shattered World -
A Worse World War: Part 22
The Peace Heats Up
December 23rd 1942 to May 15th 1943
December 23rd 1942
After Denmark refuses a demand by Germany for her entry into the Axis Powers
German forces begin massing just south of the Danish border, and Luftwaffe
activity increases ominously around northern Germany. The Alliance for Democracy
threatens war if Germany invades neutral Denmark.
December 24th 1942
French and German planes fire on each other over the border along the Rhineland.
British, French, Dutch, and Belgian forces go to a state of alert and begin
moving towards their prepared defensive positions as German forces demonstrate
at the borders.
December 26th 1942
Several more incidents in the skies over the Rhineland have brought the world
to the verge of war. German forces are ready to invade Denmark, Hitler needs
only command them to do so.
December 28th 1942
After tense phone negotiations between Chamberlain, Hitler, and the French
leader, Germany agrees to stand down its forces in return for Denmark insuring
German passage rights on the Baltic and North seas. Hitler, surprised by
the backbone displayed by the Alliance, decides it is too early to risk all
out war.
January 10th 1943
In Argentina general Justo dies, leaving president Castillo without his most
influential supporter. Fascist elements in the Argentinian military, led
by General Pedro P. Ramírez, begin to consolidate power, though the
president is to remain in place as a figurehead. German money has been flowing
into fascists in South America for some time now, much of it to Argentina
where there are strong fascist leanings among the dominant conservatives
in the country. The U.S. views this turn of events with some worry and begins
to apply pro-Democratic pressure through its diplomatic offices in the country.
January 18th 1943
Japanese forces launch an offensive into northern China to take advantage
of Chinese internal turmoil.
February 2nd 1943
Germany successfully tests a prototype for a T.V. guided "glide-bomb".
February 18th 1943
The fascist party in Peru, formed in 1938 as a reaction against a militant
leftist movement, declares martial law and seizes power with the backing
the military. The U.S. severs diplomatic ties and demands a return to a moderate
government. Fascist elements around South and central America now have two
examples to look towards, Argentina and Peru.
February 26th 1943
Britain, France, and Norway begin a large-scale series of naval exercises
on the North Sea designed to increase cooperation among Alliance naval forces.
March 5th 1943
In an ultra-secret meeting in Berlin Hitler agrees that Italy is to control
Greece, the Mediterranean, and all of north Africa after the assumed defeat
of the Alliance, with the rest of the middle-east going to Germany or minor
Axis nations.
March 20th 1943
Franco announces Spanish entry into the Axis Powers, giving the Axis Powers
new leverage in the Mediterranean and Atlantic and surrounding France on
two sides. Portugal remains cautiously neutral.
March 22nd 1943
In Britain Winston Churchill delivers a forceful and memorable speech calling
the Axis Powers "a scourge on the face of the Earth" and calling for "the
free peoples of the world to stand united against the fascist tyranny of
the Axis". The speech is largely a plea for U.S. entry into the Alliance
for Democracy. In the U.S. there is a growing anti-Fascist sentiment and
the growing strength of fascism in South America is beginning to concern
the
average American.
April 8th 1943
The U.S. establishes an ultra-secret Atomic-Bomb project in New Mexico codenamed
the "Dover Project". General Eisenhower is put in command of the project
which has gathered together leading nuclear physicists from across the U.S.
Both German and Soviet intelligence is aware of the project though not of
all the exact details.
Think of the Dover project as a scaled down Manhattan project with around
25% of the funding that it had in OTL.
April 10th 1943
Igor Sikorski completes his first truly successful helicopter design in the
U.S. with little backing from the U.S government. Upon seeing a test flight
the U.S. army takes interest in the design and enters into negotiations with
Mr. Sikorski to produce a scouting and air-ambulance helicopter for the U.S.
Army. Germany is also working on a scouting helicopter design and is nearing
full production on it.
April 11th 1943
The fourth of six planned Essex class carriers completed by the U.S.
April 23rd 1943
U.S. finishes installation of latest radar equipment at Pearl Harbor and
other Pacific naval installations. The British and French are also installing
newer equipment at their bases around the Pacific. This process is proceeding
slowly because France and Britain are placing more emphasis in Europe for
obvious reasons.
April 26th 1943
Britain begins to sell arms to Saudi Arabia, whose new oil facilities are
beginning to make the country very rich. Saudi Arabia is maintaining its
neutrality but is leaning towards Britain who funded the oil exploitation
effort.
May 2nd 1943
German A-2 rocket is put into general production. Work on improving its guidance
system and on the more advanced A-3 is already proceeding. Germany is also
developing a radar-guided anti-aircraft rocket named the "Wasserfall".
May 4th 1943
Communist guerillas, backed by the Soviet Union, launch a small uprising
in the northern part of Persia. The Axis Powers offer aid to Persia to counter
what they term "communist aggression". Persia declines the offer and also
rejects a similar offer from the Alliance for Democracy.
May 6th 1943
Persian troops begin to enter the region of the rebellion and heavy fighting
erupts.
May 7th 1943
Persian forces suffer heavy casualties in the north and pro-German elements
in the Persian capital accuse the Soviets of directly intervening in the
fighting. In fact, the Soviets have sent some special forces into Persia
to
aid the communist rebels.
May 9th 1943
Anti-Soviet protests erupt into anti-government riots after pro-Axis fascists
incite the crowds by accusing the Persian government of not dealing with
the communist threat.
May 12th 1943
After several days of riots and large-scale strikes and protests the Persian
army seizes power in the capital. The officers who led the coup are pro-German
with fascist leanings. Backers of the Shah have fled into the south and are
requesting British intervention to restore the legitimate government.
Ironic since the Shah was pro-German in OTL.
May 14th 1943
With the Shah maintaining control of much of the southern part of Persia,
Britain agrees to back him with direct intervention. British troops begin
crossing the Indian frontier into Persia to bolster the Persian forces that
have remained loyal to the Shah.
May 15th 1943
In northern Persia the military regime has solidified its control from the
Soviet border to central Persia. The military regime has already requested
aid in the form of weapons, supplies, and money from the Axis Powers. The
first convoys are already crossing the Iraqi and Turkish borders into Persia
to deliver ammunition, small arms, and other supplies. Heavier arms are sure
to follow.
The train pulling out of the Peenemünde rocket complex began to grind
forward with ever increasing speed through the fog and mist rolling off the
gray Baltic Sea. General Walter Dörnberger stood in his office and stared
out at the passing train. Hitler's orders had come down less than six hours
before and already things were in motion to carry out his wishes.
No less than 25 of the new A-2 rockets were to be sent to Tehran with German
"technical advisors" at all speed. Apparently the Reich was extending a very
deep line of credit to the new military regime in northern Persia. Dörnberger
could barely suppress a nod. What better way to test the new weapon than
in a real conflict? The British and the Shah were about to discover the technological
prowess of the Reich's research and development industries. The A-2's aim
may not be great but her 1,000 kilogram supersonic payload would not be a
welcome visitor in southern Persia's cities.
The liquid oxygen and ethyl alcohol that fueled the rockets would be sent
straight from processing facilities in Romania and southern Germany. Concealed
on the flat beds of the trains leaving Peenemünde were the mobile launching
equipment and the rockets themselves, carefully secured and awaiting their
trial by fire.
He was so engrossed in the passing train that he hadn't even realized the
entry of Wernher von Braun.
"I don't like this" the man said grumpily and then continued. "I built these
weapons to defend the German people, not to menace civilians in Persia for
Christ's sake". Dörnberger found himself un-surprised at the man's sentiments.
He knew that Braun was in the project more for its scientific merits than
for its usage as a weapon against the Reich's enemies.
"The Führer has spoken and we obey our orders", Dörnberger stated flatly.
"But we don't have to like them", Von Braun said accusingly. Dörnberger
made a conciliatory gesture. Such things were not lightly said in a country
where Hitler's detractors often disappeared.
"I won't enjoy seeing helpless ragheads get butchered. But the venture will
prove useful in testing your new baby" he stated simply. Braun made a sour
expression and then stared out the window as the train continued to pass
by. A moment later he nodded silently and left the room in an obvious state
of discontent.
'Never mind' Dörnberger thought. 'I will drag that man kicking and screaming
into bringing glory to the Reich'.
To Be Continued...
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