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The reconnaissance version of the Mosquito had a phenomenal range so this is definitely do-able.My thinking is a group of Mosquito F Mk II with fuel tanks in their bomb bays could do the job. Wikipedia says the early fighter variants didn't carry bombs, but they likely still had the space for fuel tanks.
That's where the Mosquito may help, in having a dedicated navigator and long range. The ideal place to to intercept is on Hitler's flight between Estonia (where the German fighters remained behind) and Helsinki. Flying over neutral Sweden may be necessary, and overcoming the few Finnish fighters should be doable (Britain declared war on Finland on 5 Dec 1941). The Germans are unlikely to have radar stations in their occupied Baltic territories, though the RAF would need to avoid any German radar stations in Norway. After the strike I'd have the Mosquitos fly home rather than land in Russia, where Barbarossa is still underway.This would be a huge flight distance, not all of it was over open water but also over enemy and neutral land and I'm sure over some radar stations as well.
Or Tresckow and others from his circle will seize the opportunity to proceed with the coup. As I understood they were inclined to peace negotiations with the West as soon as possible. Tehran Conference did not happen yet, so separate peace is still possible.If the RAF can pull this off on June 03, 1942 what's the impact to the war?
Two major German offensives are about to begin. Case Blue in the USSR is scheduled to launch later this month, and the First Battle of El Alamein in July. I think the former would be postponed while the German high command fought amongst themselves to settle the succession issue.
If the German 6th Army isn't encircled and destroyed at (or even sent to) Stalingrad the war may be different.
However I can't imagine Britain sharing that they've broken the Enigma codes with the Soviets, at least not yet. the VVS will wonder how Britain knew.If VVS is involved.
LaGG-3 with 2x100L drop tanks has the range but requires assistance in navigation. Probably, a mixed group of LaGG-3 and Pe-3(Pe-3bis) is the best choice. They will not be able to run away from Bf-109s if intercepted.
Or perhaps the Tu-2?If VVS is involved.
LaGG-3 with 2x100L drop tanks has the range but requires assistance in navigation. Probably, a mixed group of LaGG-3 and Pe-3(Pe-3bis) is the best choice. They will not be able to run away from Bf-109s if intercepted.
Agreed.Killing Hitler wouldn't necessarily shorten the war, he might be replaced by a more effective leader.
Wouldn't a more effective leader shorten the war, by either winning it or successfully coming to terms? Germany is running out of men, kit and resources so whomever takes over has the same finite time to either win or capitulate.Killing Hitler wouldn't necessarily shorten the war, he might be replaced by a more effective leader.
My guess is the Generals immediately arrest and/or top all the top Nazis. With no military experience, Himmler and Goebbels will be dead men within moments, a necessary step to keep the Gestapo and SS under control.Agreed.
There was a whole cabal of dangerous people in the wings:
Himmler
Goebbels
Heydrich
….Goering….
I think Stalin was right. For starters, Churchill was as much an anti-Bolshevik as Hitler. We could see the Wallies use the German army to keep the Soviets out of eastern Europe.On the possible involvement of the VVS, there is a theory that Stalin wasn't in favour of assassinating Hitler either because he feared it might give the Western Allies an excuse to make peace
Tu-2 is not available yet.Or perhaps the Tu-2?