Red Flood

[Rodion Romanovich]

Another solution to avoid war entirely is to convince the Japanese Empire to join in the assault on the Soviet Union ... it would prevent the Siberian troops from reaching Moscow in time to save the city, as they would be tied up with the Japanese and Manchurian forces in the Far East. Siberia and it's oil would go a long way to aid the Japanese economy relieve itself from dependence on outside sources, and it would ease the German assault on Russia.

Ideally, Operation Barbarossa should have four fronts, one from the Caucaus (Italy and the Afrika Korps), Finland (which would tie up northern troops), the Far East (Japan's attack on Vladivostok) and Poland (where the heaviest strike would come from). It is however imperative that the Ribbentrop plan be accepted, the one where local nations are promised freedom from the Soviet regime. That move would give us some 2,000,000 soldiers ... or more. It is also important to keep those soldiers on the East Front (rather than send them to France, as Hitler did, an event that ended in mass surrenders, especially on D-day).

A prolonged war with the Soviet Union heavily favours the Soviets. Speed is where Germany has the advantage. Rather wait for a year and strike at spring, than strike when there is insufficent time to complete the invasion.

Yes, the USSR would be in trouble if attacked on two or even four fronts, AND the strike would have been launched earlier in 1941 (and Moscow-Leningrad taken) but the US specifically - even when they had a stance against taking part in the war - gave Japan a clear ultimatum not to expand too much further or they could expect war. It was in response to that the Japanese decided a war with the US would be necessary for them to fulfil their expansion goal - they sort of wanted the first strike by hitting Pearl Harbor as, in their judgement, the US were serious about that ultimatum. Now if Japan attacks the USSR it's likely the US would start going after the Japanese - at least within a year (a slower mobilization probably to be expected if the Japanese don't attack first), and if doing so they'd also be fairly likely to go after Germany too. Plus - the Japanese are already in deep trouble with a superpower in the Chinese at the time, and they have the threat of US joining. It would be difficult to convince them of joining a war with a third superpower. And the Japanese Pearl Harbor attack came in late 1941, so waiting until 1942 would mean it would be too late to get Japanese help - they'd already be at war with 2 superpowers. I doubt the Japanese can be of any help at all. The only possibility would perhaps be if help can be forced on the Italians quickly enough to give axis victory in Africa and the Middle east so early in 1941 that there's enough time to invade USSR early that spring, before Japan has got war with the US. Though I suppose the political situation is such that the chances of achieving those things is virtually nil, and EVERY part of that plan must be successful or the entire plan fails. Breaking of connections with the Japanese would give more time - I think a victory in the Med could take 1-2 years so more time is needed. Plus letting the Italians taste at least some defeat first would improve relations with the Italians a lot, and thereby also the possible help that could be received from them. But also allowing them to lose too badly before getting help could also worsen the relations. I suppose making preparations for quick help sent to the Italians, and ask (though a bit more like a statement than a question) the Italians to take the help as soon as things get the least rough for the Italians. At the same time breaking off connections with the Japanese.