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Two "What If's" involving GB & Germany

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by Grand Falcon Railroad (U3267675) on Monday, 11th May 2009

  Hi guya and gals,
  
  Two maybe minor "What-If's".....
  
  How would Germany have faired in WW1 if Germany hadn't swapped Heglioland (and the surrounding islets) for Zanzibar ran by the Brits - surely they German High Seas Fleet would have been unusuable AND maybe the UK would have remained there after WW1 to keep it fortified until outbreak of WW2?
  
  AND
  
  How would Germany have faired if it had been allowed to retain its influence in its, albeit limited number, of colonies?

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by VF (U5759986) on Monday, 11th May 2009

  The thing is how would you supply it (Heligoland)?.Its on the doorstep of the High Seas Fleet and a long way from "home".Even if fortified I cant see how you could hold the the position and keep it operational.
  
  I believe that Churchill advocated taking Heligoland and using it as a forward base but was gently told by various admirals and experts that it was one thing to take Heligoland it was another to hold it.
  
  Regards VF

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by TimTrack (U1730472) on Tuesday, 12th May 2009

  On Heligoland, I am with Virtual. It would have been relatively easy pickings for the Germans to take it when the war started. rather like the Channel Islands were all but indefencible once Germany reached that area in WW2. What would you have stationed there ? Big ships could have been trapped, smaller ones not of much use. Shore batteries would inflict damage on an attacking force, but the sheer expense would be daunting. Also, germany would have viewed any serious build up of arms as extremely provocative, making war more likely.
  
  German colonies would have been useful for the German navy as staging posts and fuelling stations for their commerce raiding efforts. But they would also need to be defended, making them a bit of a liability. All in all, though, I think they would have been useful, but not a war winer.
  

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