CCM von Hausser said:
Thanks timshatz: those are words I want to read
What do you think about a puppet Governament in Great Bretain under GER rules? What options?
Thanks for the official "attaboy". Glad it helps.
Going on about the Govt of England under the Germans goes straight into speculation. Before I start, I want to put that proviso out there. While some of what I am about to write is based on plans (in some cases little more than memos), most of it is nothing more than that whims of my one time fertile immagination.
But like the man said, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Let's assume the Germans conquer England by December of 1940 (if it takes longer than that, the odds favor the Brits). They take England, Scottland, Whales and the Northern Irish Counties. Southern Ireland is not invaded. No need to. It becomes a defacto ally of the Germans. Similar to Switzerland, they dance to Germany's tune in the interest of national survival.
In England, there is some initial resistance. The British had, in a hurried way, tried to establish a potential resistance force in the possibility that the Germans took over part of England. However, the Gestapo and other "Special Task" units quickly clamp down on any active resistance. Reprisal shootings, deportations, patrolling in active areas, ect. as well as turncoats all bring the bands to a violent and unhappy end. Passive resistance/ intelligence gathering continues unabated for the duration of the entire occupation for Allied contacts.
The Germans invade England with a list of 3000 persons who are to be arrested or deported upon the success of the German cause. All the predictable names are on it (Churchill, Orwell, Beverbrook, ect). Anybody in postitions of authority above local government, anyone who is a socialist or communist is on the list. Anyone who fought in Spain is on the list. Also, Jews as well as those the Nazis considered morally/mentally inferior (Mentally retarded, Homosexuals, Gypsies, Downs Syndrome ect) are all rounded up as well. Given the cost of moving such numbers, I think the Nazis would've established work camps in England. As a guess, I would think two/three work camps and one death camp. Again, just a guess based on the size of England and German concentration camps before the war. The death camp is not established untill late in 1942 and is one of the last to be established. Not for any moral sense, just that German occupation of England would've been initially disorganized.
The Germans will attempt a Waffen SS unit made of British Solidiers but be only marginally successful. Maybe a regiment or a brigade's worth volunteer. The British Army (those that surrender) are sent off to Germany to work. The officers are sent to POW Camps. Repatriation does not occur.
A British "Quisling" Govt is set up using British Nazis to head it. They are, lap dogs to the Gestapo. However, their zeal to prove themselves as "true Nazis" leads to a reputation as being sadistic, vile fanatics bent on discovering "Monarchist" or "Fifth Columnist". They are feared and detested.
British bullion supplies are moved in October of 1940 to Canada. Also, the Crown Jewels leave in late November. The Queen leaves in Early December to escape capture. She reconstitutes her government (Free English Forces) in Canada. Calling on the rest of the Dominions, she vows to fight on. However, only Canada, NZ, Australia, the Carribean Islands, agree. South Africa waits 6 months and leaves the dominion, agreeing to terms with the Germans. India initially agrees but develops a strong local resistance (mostly passive but with an active component under Chandra Bose). Free English (along with Free French, Dutch, Polish, ect) forces are pretty much in name only and based in Canada.
The British Navy (what's left of it after the battles around the British Isles) makes a run for North Amrica (Canada and Carribean) ports. For the most part, it is successful. Ships trying to escape are not all as lucky. Uboats, surface ships and Condors catch upwards of 20% of them. There will be at least two large liners loaded with refugees that are sunk with most on board. It will be December, in the North Atlantic, with no effective rescue operations. Sink out there and you're done.
Gibraltar becomes a German outpost. Surrounded by the German Navy to the west, Italy to the East, Vichy French territory to the south and Nazi Spain to the north, they realize they can not be resupplied and have no powerful friends in the hemisphere. Egypt is an unknown. It could stay British or go German (more likely a German Puppet State with Egyptians in charge). Take your pick on that one. Enough of an arguement either way. In short, the Med becomes an Axis lake (given the importance of the Suez Canal, I believe the Germans/Italians would make a concentrated effort to get their hands on Egypt but then again...).
In January of 1941, the US lands troops on Iceland (to replace the British troops and hold the island) citing anything they can think up with the exception of a request from any of the Free Forces. The US is going to try to stay neutral now that Europe is essentially under Nazi control. But just in case things get out of hand, they want to have Iceland. The Nazis are not happy but with their eyes to the East, do nothing about it for the present. The US increases funding to building war materials.
Occupation under the Germans is much like it is in the rest of Europe. Food is short, drafts of young men are called occasionally to work for the Germans. Most leave the islands. British factories turn to working for the War Effort. No frontline machines are made in England (with possibile exception to the Spitfire but that is only a maybe) with the focus being support machines (trucks, trains, equipment). The extended Royal family is quietly appealed to become Nazis (or at least collaborators) and for the most part, quietly rebuffs the offer. One or two turn. But the majority ignore the Nazis and try to do the best they can with what they have. Herman Goering does one of his famous "Art Trips" where he takes (or buys at ridiculously low prices) English Artwork.
Hitler never visits England.
That's a thumbnail sketch of my guesses on how things would turn out for the British if they had lost. There are a ton of other interesting things that might've been (Japan taking Malaysia and Hong Kong leading to a war with NZ and Austrialia a year earlier-without US intervention for the present, the Rolls Royce Merlin never comes to the US so the Mustang never gets that powerplant put in,ect) but I wanted to keep it kind of general.
Hope it helps.
