The Phony War stays phony

[unsunghero]

Britain and France continue facing down the Germans on the French border until June of 1940; the only actual conflict that occurs is between the airforces of each power. Great Britain and France can not muster enough will power to fight Germany and recognize the new state of affairs in Eastern Europe.

---or----

Germany gets a favorable settlement after knocking the stuffing out of France and grabbing the channel ports + BEF. The British recognize German gains in Poland plus the return of Alsace Loraine in exchange for which the Germans immediately pull out of Holland, Belgium, Denmark and Norway. The Germans turn their attention to the Soviet Union...

How plausible do you think either scenario would be?

 

[Dave Bender]

Great Britain and France can not muster enough will power to fight Germany and recognize the new state of affairs in Eastern Europe.

Unlikely. Or else Britain and France would not have declared war on Germany a mere 9 months earlier.

Something needs to go seriously wrong elsewhere in the British Empire, to encourage Britain to make peace with Germany. France will follow Britain's lead, as they did in declaring war in the first place.


Germany gets a favorable settlement after knocking the stuffing out of France and grabbing the channel ports + BEF.

Historically the BEF was militarily destroyed. However many of the survivors were evacuated back to Britain. A British failure to evacuate these Dunkirk survivors does not really change the military picture, as Britain lacks the equipment reconstitute these units.

As with the first situation, something needs to go wrong elsewhere to encourage Britain to make peace with Germany.

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Here are some possible ways for Britain to decide that fighting Germany is not worth the trouble:

1) In 1939 Japan decides to attack British and/or French Pacific colonies, rather then tangle with Russia at Noonahan.

2) Revolt in India / Egypt / Iraq / Indo China / Iran / Palestine / pick your favorite British or French colony.

3) Due to health problems, FDR does not run for reelection in 1940. The new U.S. president takes a strictly neutral position in regards to the European conflict. "Made that mistake in 1917. Don't intend to repeat it." No lend lease. No neutrality patrols. No economic assistance. No war material sold to either side. Period.