World War II Questions.

[Del Arroyo]

But that is the question-- would we have used the Bomb in Europe?

We didn't have too much problem using it on those half-ape yellow Japs, but would we have nuked the Germans if the alternative were negotiated peace? Maybe. I think it is an interesting question.

DA

[TinCow]

But that is the question-- would we have used the Bomb in Europe?

We didn't have too much problem using it on those half-ape yellow Japs, but would we have nuked the Germans if the alternative were negotiated peace? Maybe. I think it is an interesting question.

DA

It is beyond dispute that the A-bomb was originally developed for use against Germany. A draft target list was even drawn up at one point, though some people dispute its authenticity.

[edit] Oops, missed a few posts.

Assuming Germany does not attack Russia, I doubt the US would have used the A-bomb in Europe. This would be mainly because (as I stated above) they would have lacked Britain as an advanced base. While the US could certainly have developed a transatlantic bomber force, without close European bases from which to receive fighter support, they would have been massacred. You can't drop a nuke in WW2 unless you have air superiority. There is no way for the US to achieve this without Britain. Thus I would have to say, no nuke in Europe.

[DemonArchangel]

Well, the americans could just wipe the german navy out after the war in the pacific was complete, then of course, they could achieve air superiority with their carriers.

[Tribesman]

then of course, they could achieve air superiority with their carriers.
Would you like to compare the performance of land based fighters with those of carrier based fighters ?
You can't drop a nuke in WW2 unless you have air superiority.
Or an advanced missile program

[DemonArchangel]

Well, slowly, america could just simply flood germany with nuke armed planes unitl eventually, the germans just get nuked to death despite massive american losses.

[lonewolf371]

Hehe, well I guess we could have A-bombed North Africa first, then, Italy, and then gone for Germany. Island hopping strategy... without the islands.

[DemonArchangel]

And then, what? the populace of europe suffers horribly from radiation?

[TinCow]

Hehe, well I guess we could have A-bombed North Africa first, then, Italy, and then gone for Germany. Island hopping strategy... without the islands.

Not possible, the US didn't have enough of a stockpile. Total production for 1945 was 6 bomb, with another 5 produced in 1946. A further 21 were produced in 1947, but it wasn't until 1948 that the US was able to start producing them in large numbers. Keep in mind that a-bombs could not be transported via carrier aircraft because they were too heavy. Ground based bombers would have to be used. Without a land base somewhere in Europe or North Africa, this simply wouldn't have been possible.

Once Germany had total control of Europe, they would have flooded the seas with U-Boats and the Kriegsmarine. It would have been nearly impossible to making a transatlantic invasion. Even if the invasion fleet survived relatively intact to land, its supply lines would be very vulnerable. If Germany had defeated Britain and was not at war with the Soviets, I suspect the US and Germany would have entered into a Cold War of their own. The US would probably have tried to play the Soviets and Germans off against one another, hoping for an eventual conflict. In such a conflict, I expect they would even have backed Germany.