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Politically this generates enormous difficulties for the Germans. In the lead up to WWII, Germany and the USSR held secret talks, that ultimately led to the non-aggression pactand trade agreement, both vital to German expansion and conquests, and critical to the German economy. Part of that discussion was of course the dismemberment of Poland, but there were also understandings reached concerning the Baltic states. Lithuania was thought by the Germans to be in their sphere, but the Russians were handed control of Estonia and and Latvia. The Russians were already in occupation of Estonia by the time of the Winter War, using many of the airfields and ports for airstrikes and to refuel submarines and light naval forces. Its difficult to see the Soviet German pact being agreed upon by Stalin without Estonias being given to them
One of the reasons the germans turned on the Sovets was that the Russians failed to honour the agreements concerning the Baltic states. In 1940, stalin moved to militarily occupy all three, which infuriated Hilter. The Russians also brought great pressure on Rumania, occupying Bessarabia, which for obvious reasons was very sensitive to the Germans. Germany wanted the Russians to expand south at the expense of Turkey and from there, bring pressure to bear on the Allies. Stalin never had any intention of taking his eyes off eastern Europe.
Back to the Battleship bashing?
Domestic synthetic fuel production does seem to be their best bet given nearly everything else was vulnerable to being cut off by blockades or destroyed in scorched earth campaigns.The hard part is the refining process and finding the energy for it; for Germany its probably not going to be any cheaper and probably just as expensive to mine and refine the shale oil, especially given that they won't have access to it until they invade in 1941 and can't really focus on getting it working until 1942; plus then they need to develop a new infrastructure and ship it back to Germany. Getting the synthetic oil process working back home starting years earlier without the shipping costs is probably much easier.
Earlier antagonism/aggression with the Soviets would have changed a lot of things. That might have included focusing on the Eastern front more early on, possibly prioritizing that over dealing with the UK/Commonwealth. (antagonizing the British less and the Russians more is an interesting topic on its own, but much, much broader than the issue of logistics and resources this thread posed)Defenses against Soviet invasion would be several hundred km east of the German border.
Not sure if blended methanol/ethanol fuel production would have been strategically useful there too or not.
I was thinking relatively low blends in the <10% range, possibly 5%. Problems with seals and fuel lines reacting with alcohol in higher fractions is also a problem along with increased sensitivity to moisture and water contamination.For aircraft to function properly you need to stick to fuel blends close to gasoline, you may be able to equal speed and/or climb rate but range will usually take a hit with methanol/ethanol blends. Methanol/ethanol also has more trouble vaporizing in cold temperatures.
Please note that these charts are based on gallons (volume) and not weight. Diesel and jet fuel weigh more than gasoline and that is were part of the advantage in power per gallon comes from.
Politically this generates enormous difficulties for the Germans. In the lead up to WWII, Germany and the USSR held secret talks, that ultimately led to the non-aggression pactand trade agreement, both vital to German expansion and conquests, and critical to the German economy. Part of that discussion was of course the dismemberment of Poland, but there were also understandings reached concerning the Baltic states. Lithuania was thought by the Germans to be in their sphere, but the Russians were handed control of Estonia and and Latvia. The Russians were already in occupation of Estonia by the time of the Winter War, using many of the airfields and ports for airstrikes and to refuel submarines and light naval forces. Its difficult to see the Soviet German pact being agreed upon by Stalin without Estonias being given to them
One of the reasons the germans turned on the Sovets was that the Russians failed to honour the agreements concerning the Baltic states. In 1940, stalin moved to militarily occupy all three, which infuriated Hilter. The Russians also brought great pressure on Rumania, occupying Bessarabia, which for obvious reasons was very sensitive to the Germans. Germany wanted the Russians to expand south at the expense of Turkey and from there, bring pressure to bear on the Allies. Stalin never had any intention of taking his eyes off eastern Europe.
If I'm understanding the Wikipedia article correctly (oil shale in Estonia), it seems that they are mining the shale then extracting the oil in processing facilities.
As opposed to directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing as is so discussed here in the US.
Domestic synthetic fuel production does seem to be their best bet given nearly everything else was vulnerable to being cut off by blockades or destroyed in scorched earth campaigns.
Not sure if blended methanol/ethanol fuel production would have been strategically useful there too or not.
A Methanol based fighter, perhaps with a little hydrocarbon added to make a visible flame might have worked. Energetically methanol is less dense in terms of energy per unit mass but as it specific gravity is higher it partially compensates. It also has a high octane number which would help keep an engine small and efficient.
Obviously it rquires research and effort.
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As you may know had the Germans succeeded in capturing, holding and exploiting the Caucasian oil fields the war would have been different.