A Country too Late

In this month 80 years ago, perhaps the Second World War could have been stopped well short of the large world-wide strife that would engulf much of the world if the British had been willing to follow the recommendations of the German Resistance.  Under their plan Hitler would have been deposed and a new regime put in place.  World history would have been different.  We have been taught that  World War II was necessary and inevitable to rid the world of Nazism and the other Axis powers of totalitarian governments of Italy and Japan. Although a similar bad regime, the Soviet Union under Stalin, was part of the Allied powers.  The book I am currently reading makes me wonder if a much smaller, or perhaps even no conflict, would have resulted if the German Resistance plan was accepted by the British and the French. While their was no satisfying Hitler's ego, the results probably would have been much different if regime in Germany change had occurred

German Admiral Canaris, Head of German Abwehr
and Member of German Resistance
Source:  Google Images

As we know the United States was technically neutral until December 1941 when it joined the conflict, but President Roosevelt was tight with the British and looked for and provided various methods of assistance to certain governments before the US formally entered the war.   While former British PM Chamberlain had declared, after giving away the Sudetenland to Germany "Peace in our time" (How Britain had the right to negotiate for Czechoslovakia I don't know, as this small seemingly inconsequential country was not even invited to the table.) he would go down in history as the one who appeased Adolph Hitler, and his successor is often held up as a prime example of a strong and determined leader.  Yet, Winston Churchill would go through the war not wanting to give peace a chance.  He ordered no discussions of peace to occur with the Germans.  This strong stand was endorsed by the Allied powers at Casablanca in 1943.

Sudentenland, % native German Speakers, 1930
Source:  Google Images

Before and during the Second World War the German Resistance had made many overtures to be recognized if they were able to overthrow Hitler and garner peace.  Heck, early in the war even Herman Goering was making overtures for peace--he knew he had a good thing going in food and wine, and thought war would ruin that lifestyle.   What the Nazi's did not know (although some suspected) until later in the war was that the Wilhelm Canaris head of the Abwehr (German Military Intelligence) and many of his close associates were  covert members of the German Resistance movement.  Before the appeasement agreement Britain executed with Germany for the turnover of the Sudetenland which also allowed Hitler to move unmolested to occupy the remainder of the Czech Republic, the German Resistance had made overtures for the Brits and France to recommend that they recognize the resistance, and aid Czechia if Hitler did invade.  A statement in support of Czechia, however, did not arise from the British or French, which would have provided the resistance with the ability to depose Hitler and install a new government.  At the time many German Generals knew Germany was ill prepared for a long European War and many were against the invasion. Once war came, the oath of allegiance would take precedence for many.  Canaris would justify his actions on the illegality of Hitler's desire to ruin Germany.  Even prior to the invasion of Poland, the attempts by the resistance were, well, met with resistance.

19 September 1939 Wisconsin State Journal Front Page

While many hold in high regard British intelligence, as if all members were 007, they had many faults (not the least among them was not knowing one of their own Kim Philby was a Soviet agent, and hampered efforts with the resistance to gain a foothold for talks with the West).  The faults are too many to outline here.  On September 1, 1939 Hitler invaded Poland and its quick Blitzkrieg action is the stuff of video games.  Two days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany--they were, in a sense, one country too late.  Before the Polish invasion it was still likely that many German generals would accept the deposition of Hitler. But, the quick and successful strike against Poland and the public euphoria that resulted made times difficult for the German Resistance.  They revised their plan and in so doing used the Vatican, and Pope Pius XII as intermediaries in attempting to secure peace before the German invasion of the Low Countries and France.  But, Whitehall did not put much faith in or trust the German Resistance and as we know a full world war evolved.  Of course, it is pure conjecture whether the Resistance would have been successful, but it was never given the chance.  Canaris would continue to be involved in high treason against the Nazi state and his role as the head of the Abwehr allowed him to supply a great deal of information to the Allies, and misinformation to the Nazis.  The SS version of military intelligence would, however, in late 1941 and into 1942 would start to get the upper hand and Canaris' foothold, which was on soft sand to begin and evolved to quicksand. Canaris would be out of the Abwehr in 1944, and would be executed by the Nazis in April 1945, just a few weeks before the end of the war.

10 Sept  1939 Wisconsin State Journal News Article

As the drums of war were being heralded in the world during September 1939 in response to the German invasion of Poland there existed pockets of resistance to the US entering the war, as Churchill was requesting.  My grandfather, Rudolph J Hovel, was one person involved with one such group seeking peace.  This protest did not embrace violence or chaos, but rather used prayer.  Rudy Hovel was a on the advisory committee for one of four Peace Rallies planned in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.  According to a Sept 10, 2919 news article, in the Wisconsin State Journal, the organizers of the rally at the rural St. Joseph Church in East Bristol were anticipating 4,000 persons to attend the rally and invitations to all parishes in Columbia, Dane and Dodge Counties were expected to be sent.  Organization of the event moved fast as the rally was scheduled for the following Sunday, Sept. 17.  This article mentions Grandpa Rudy as being on the advisory committee.  According to the 10 September article, the event would "include religious services, community prayers for peace, and sermons."

19 Sept 1939 Wisconsin State Journal part of Front Page
on Peace Rally Held at East Bristol on 18 Sept.

The Monday following the event, the Wisconsin State Journal had front page photos about the peace rally and noted over 6,000 persons attended.  I suspect East Bristol has not had such a large gathering since that time.  The peace rally is in stark contrast to two other front page headlines, one being "Nazi, Russian Armies Meet in Poland, Outline Partition" and another "1200 aboard as Torpedo Sinks British Carrier."  Two evident reminders of why 6,000 persons gathered to pray for peace.

Second page of 19 Sept news article

It is unfortunate, but for a variety of reasons it is easier to wage war than it is to come to terms for peace.  British PM Chamberlain will forever be recalled for his appeasement of Germany.  The German resistance believed that the military would be on their side if the West would provide recognition of their plans.  The quick invasion and subjugation of Poland undercut the German Resistance at home, and made their job more challenging.  Winston Churchill came to office and had no interest in discussions of a peaceful solution.  They still hoped for regime change, and for backing by foreign powers even after US entry into the war. Even in 1944 they still had hopes, although some, like the bomber in the Valkyrie incident were hoping to make peace with Russia since they West had snubbed them.  Roosevelt thought he had a partner in Stalin, and we know how that turned out and the disaster brought to Central Europe.

Ida and Rudy Hovel, photo from family archives, date unknown

There is more to this difficult situation and events of 1939 not included here, but the English and British involvement came a country too late.  If they had stood for Czechia as desired by the German Resistance perhaps there would have been no war since if their desired German regime change occurred.  Without support from the British and French their would be no attempt at regime change.  If Nazi Germany became no more perhaps the Japanese would then have had second thoughts about bombing Pearl Harbor.  As we know a highly destructive war came and my Dad would be called into the US Army and he would serve in Europe through the European Campaign after entering the mainland of Europe shortly after D-Day.  On that fall day 80 years ago peace did not come, but prayers for peace can never hurt. Unfortunately, the Brits and French were a country too late, and world war would evolve and set the geopolitical boundaries of which so many conflicts today revolve.

Sources Wisconsin State Journal, articles of 10 Sept and 18 Sept 1939

Waller, John H.  The Unseen  War in Europe: Espionage and Conspiracy in the Second World War.  Random House, 1996