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Hitler and the Pacific...

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by exhausted, Jul 15, 2017.

  1. exhausted

    exhausted New Member

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    Ok so to what extent did Hitler hear about submarine cooperation with the Japanese? What conversations did he have to approve sharing the Me-262 and Me-163 projects with Japan?

    What did he say after Midway, Guadalcanal and the Philippines?
     
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  2. JJWilson

    JJWilson Well-Known Member

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    You've got great questions exhausted, unfortunately I don't have the answers, and I think you would be hard pressed to find solid info that is not theory or opinion in regards to the Me-262 and Me-163 project. As for the battles you listed, like I mentioned earlier the Germans especially in 42 and 43 were focused almost entirely on the Eastern front, along with of course the failing situation in Africa by 1943. It is hard for me to believe that Hitler would even want to know how the war in the pacific was going after 1942.
     
  3. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Agreed. Too far from each other for mutual support in any significant fashion.
     
  4. lwd

    lwd Ace

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    But even without Hitler's declaration of war the US is still at war after PH. PH definitely changed the game, did did Hitler's declaration of war do the same? Perhaps so but my gut feeling is not anywhere near the extent that the attack on PH did. Especially when you consider the fact that the US would likely be in the war some time in the next 6 months anyway.
     
  5. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Bit of a closed loop there.

    But anyway, the ABC-1 talks established the "Germany First" policy, the Atlantic Conference confirmed that policy. So as soon as we were at war with Japan we went under the assumption that we would be at war with Germany hayaku.
     
  6. lwd

    lwd Ace

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    Which again brings to question just how much difference Hitler's declaration made.

    If he really wants to throw a wild card out a declaration of war on Japan in support of the US would at least create some confusion.
     
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  7. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    That is so astonishingly unlikely.
     
  8. lwd

    lwd Ace

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    OH I agree. Not sure it helps at all either. Would cause considerable confusion for a short period though.
     
  9. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    And historians would be going WTF? for the next two centuries.
     
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  10. exhausted

    exhausted New Member

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    Thank you.

    I can see the obvious reasons why Hitler was preoccupied with his failing offensives. However, I am not convinced (likely not even convincible!) that no German close to him not only had information of the Pacific War, but also briefed somebody else about it. You seem to understand my question just fine. But for those who don't, I would like to know WHO among Hitler's circle got this information.

    Do we have a list of Hitler's aids and their areas of responsibility? Can we deduce from this? Personally, this is WAY above my skill level. Who are the pros around here?
     
  11. JJWilson

    JJWilson Well-Known Member

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    Absolutely there was someone in Berlin who received information from the Pacific, but Hitler had priorities in the way of intelligence, and unless it seemed to be of great importance he would probably ignore the basic info. I am no expert in Hitlers staff, and I wish I could pass along a name who can help you, but I can't think of anyone who knows of Hitlers direct staff. Heinrich Himmler or Freidrich Alper are the only ones who come to mind for me, chances are that one of the two notified Hitler of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and just about every other major happening Axis or Allied in nature. Here is a link that might help you Register of SS-Leaders in general's rank - Wikipedia
     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2017
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  12. George Patton

    George Patton Canadian Refugee

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    That's news to me. I thought he only had syphilis.
     
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  13. JJWilson

    JJWilson Well-Known Member

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    I'm speechless :D
     
  14. R Leonard

    R Leonard Member

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    Don't know what he was hearing or thinking, but his minions were certainly busy . . .

    A five part document, you can download them one at a time by clicking the “Next” button at the upper right. Produced by the US Army in 1945. About 395 pages.
    Title: German Technical Aid to Japan.
    Author: Military Intelligence Service
    Abstract: This report constitutes a study of German technical assistance to the Japanese war effort. The study is based on all available intelligence material drawn from all sources. It includes air and land armaments, electronics, manufacturing processes, raw and manufactured materials, and interchange of technical personnel.
    Link to Part 1:
    German technical aid to Japan. :: World War II Operational Documents

    A ten parter, you can download them one at a time by clicking the “Next” button at the upper right. Produced by the US Navy in 1945. About 210 pages.
    Title: German Technical Aid to Japan; A Survey.
    Author: Division of Naval Intelligence
    Abstract: This document contains technical information concerning German techniques, devices, and weapons whose use by the Japanese would have a bearing on the war in the Pacific. Includes radio, artillery, weapons, underwater ordnance, submarines, surface craft, aircraft, vehicles, and miscellaneous.
    Link to Part 1:
    German technical aid to Japan; a survey. :: World War II Operational Documents

    Definitely not light reading and lots of suppositions in both, and they don't necessarily agree, but interesting.
     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2017
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  15. exhausted

    exhausted New Member

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    JJWilson and R Leonard,

    Wow! Thanks for the insights. And to think I had given up on this thread as dead since July.
     
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  16. JJWilson

    JJWilson Well-Known Member

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    I think Leonard was a lot more helpful than I was, hopefully you got the info you wanted.
     
  17. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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  18. lwd

    lwd Ace

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    I'd also recommend poking around at hyperwar. There might be something in the intel intercepts for instance.
     
  19. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Just add "Hyperwar" to a google search. Nobody, but nobody, knows everything that there's right now.
     
  20. exhausted

    exhausted New Member

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    Awesome! Who was his main contact? German Sec of State?
     

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