Churchill's Plan to Start World War 3 Using German Troops

Simple History

21 Mar 202211:11

EducationalLearning

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TLDRIn the aftermath of World War II, as Europe began to rebuild, a chilling plan was conceived by British military strategists. Code-named 'Operation Unthinkable,' it was a feasibility study for a potential attack on the Soviet Union, aiming to counter Soviet domination in Eastern Europe. The plan, which involved a rapid assault on Soviet troops in Poland, was presented to Prime Minister Winston Churchill in June 1945. Despite the daunting odds, including the Red Army's superior land forces and the potential for a protracted war, Churchill considered this option to ensure a free and democratic Poland. However, with the end of the war in Europe and the onset of the Pacific conflict, the appetite for another war was lacking. The plan remained a secret until its declassification in 1998, revealing how close the world had come to the brink of World War III.

Takeaways

🕊️ After World War II, there was a desire for peace and prosperity, but a dark perspective of conflict with the Soviets was looming.
🇬🇧 Winston Churchill, despite the Soviets being allies, held anti-communist sentiments and was concerned about Soviet influence in Eastern Europe.
📜 The British military developed a plan, known as Operation Unthinkable, to attack the Soviets in Poland if necessary.
⏳ Churchill set a deadline for the potential attack for July 1, 1945, envisioning a rapid assault similar to the German invasion of Poland in 1939.
🔍 The feasibility study for Operation Unthinkable was presented to Churchill on June 8, 1945, outlining a two-front assault strategy.
🚀 The plan anticipated the need for a significant force, including 47 divisions and former German troops, to push the Red Army back.
🤝 Churchill hoped that a victory could force Stalin to negotiate with the Western Allies over Poland's future.
💥 The scale of the proposed war would have been vast, potentially involving all of Europe, the Middle East, India, and the Far East.
🇺🇸 The Western Allies had naval and air superiority, but the Soviets had a significant advantage in land forces.
🇬🇧 British plans were hindered by concerns about the nation's economy and the unwillingness of the public and military to engage in another war.
🏛️ The operation was kept secret and was declassified only in 1998, revealing how close the world came to a potential World War III.

Q & A

What was the context of World War II ending in Europe in 1945?
-World War II ended in Europe in 1945 after six years of fighting. The Axis forces were defeated, and efforts to rebuild the war-torn infrastructures began. This marked a period of peace after the intense hostilities.
Why did Winston Churchill consider the Soviet Union a potential threat after World War II?
-Churchill's anti-communist sentiments resurfaced as the war ended. He was particularly concerned about Soviet domination over Eastern Europe, especially Poland, which had been a primary reason for the UK's entry into the war.
What was the code name for the British plan to attack the Soviet Union after World War II?
-The code name for the British plan to attack the Soviet Union was 'Operation Unthinkable'.
What was the strategic approach considered for Operation Unthinkable?
-The plan was based on a rapid assault on Soviet troops in Poland, similar to the 1939 German blitzkrieg invasion. It involved two main fronts and aimed to push the Red Army back to the Oder and Neisse rivers.
What factors made the Western Allies consider the feasibility of a war with the Soviet Union?
-The Western Allies considered factors such as their naval and air superiority, the Soviet's land force superiority, the vast terrain and severe weather conditions of the Soviet Union, and the economic and industrial might of both sides.
Why was the idea of a new war with the Soviet Union eventually dropped?
-The idea was dropped due to several reasons including the reluctance of the American and British soldiers to fight another war, the ongoing war in the Pacific, the British economy's inability to sustain another long war, and political changes in the UK with the new leadership of Clement Atlee.
What was the role of the German military remnants in the initial plans of Operation Unthinkable?
-The remnants of the German military, referred to as the 'German vermont' in the transcript, were considered as part of the force that would participate in the attack on the Soviet Union.
What was the deadline set by Churchill for the attack in Operation Unthinkable?
-Churchill set a deadline for the attack to be initiated by July 1, 1945.
How did the British military strategists approach the task of devising a plan to attack the Soviet Union?
-The British military strategists approached the task seriously, considering all possible options and presenting a feasibility study to the Prime Minister on June 8, 1945.
What was the outcome of the British General Election on July 5, 1945?
-The general election resulted in a change of leadership, with Winston Churchill being replaced by Clement Atlee as Prime Minister, effectively ending Churchill's plans for a potential war against the Soviet Union.
When was the Operation Unthinkable document declassified, and what did it reveal about the potential for World War III?
-The Operation Unthinkable document was declassified in 1998, revealing how close the world had come to the brink of World War III.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ Operation Unthinkable: Churchill's Plan to Attack the Soviets

The first paragraph discusses the post-World War II environment, where despite the end of hostilities and the defeat of the Axis powers, a new threat was emerging. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, with his anti-communist views, was concerned about the Soviet Union's influence over Eastern Europe, particularly Poland. This led to the consideration of a new war, one that would involve attacking the Soviets in Poland. Churchill tasked his military commanders with devising a plan, known as Operation Unthinkable, which included the use of Allied troops and remnants of the German forces. The plan was presented to Churchill on June 8, 1945, and involved a rapid assault on Soviet troops in Poland, with the hope of pushing them back and forcing Stalin to negotiate. The operation's success was deemed uncertain and dependent on a major battle, likely involving armored forces.

05:02

🛡️ The Strategic and Military Analysis of a Potential Soviet Conflict

The second paragraph delves into the strategic and military analysis of the proposed conflict with the Soviet Union. It outlines the necessity for the Western Allies to either significantly reduce the size of the Red Army or destroy the Soviet Union's economic and industrial capacity to win the war. The paragraph also discusses the potential defensive strategy of the Soviets, leveraging their vast terrain and harsh weather conditions, which had previously deterred invaders like Hitler and Napoleon. Additionally, it addresses the need for the British to defend the British Isles against potential Soviet rocket attacks. The Western Allies' naval and air superiority is highlighted, but the challenge lies in the Soviets' superior land forces. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the reluctance of the British and American soldiers to engage in another war after the lengthy World War II, and the British economy's inability to sustain another prolonged conflict.

10:02

🏛️ The End of Operation Unthinkable and Post-War Secrecy

The final paragraph reveals the political changes in the United Kingdom that led to the end of Operation Unthinkable. With the general election of July 5, 1945, Clement Atlee replaced Winston Churchill as Prime Minister, effectively shelving Churchill's plans for a war against the Soviets. The operation's documents were kept secret, even from close allies like the United States, and Churchill himself did not mention it in his memoirs. It was only declassified and made public in 1998, revealing how close the world had come to the brink of World War III.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Operation Unthinkable

Operation Unthinkable was a British military plan devised after World War II to potentially attack the Soviet Union. It was a response to the growing tensions between the Allies and the Soviets, particularly concerning the future of Eastern Europe. The plan was considered a last resort to prevent Soviet domination in the region. It is a central concept in the video as it outlines the potential for a third world war.

💡World War III

The term 'World War III' refers to a hypothetical third large-scale war following the first two global conflicts. In the context of the video, it represents the feared outcome of escalating tensions between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union, particularly if Operation Unthinkable had been executed.

💡Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill was the British Prime Minister during World War II and is a key figure in the video. Known for his anti-communist sentiments, Churchill is depicted as considering the initiation of a new war with the Soviet Union to counter their influence over Eastern Europe. His stance and actions are pivotal to understanding the development of Operation Unthinkable.

💡Soviet Union

The Soviet Union, or the USSR, was a socialist state that existed from the early 1920s until its dissolution in 1991. In the video, it is portrayed as a looming threat to post-war peace due to its military presence in Eastern Europe and its potential to dominate the region, which was a primary concern for the Western Allies.

💡Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe is the region situated to the east of the cultural-historical dividing line of Europe, and it is central to the video's narrative. The future of Eastern Europe, particularly the fate of Poland, was a major point of contention between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union post-World War II.

💡Red Army

The Red Army was the military forces of the Soviet Union. In the context of the video, the Red Army's occupation of Poland and Eastern Europe is a significant factor that led to the consideration of Operation Unthinkable as a means to counter Soviet influence.

💡Allied Troops

The Allied Troops refers to the combined forces of the countries that fought against the Axis powers during World War II. In the video, these troops, still present in Europe after the war, are considered as part of the potential force to be used in Operation Unthinkable against the Soviet Union.

💡German Verge

The term 'German Verge' likely refers to the remaining German military forces after the fall of Nazi Germany. The video suggests that these remnants might have been utilized as part of the British plan to attack the Soviets, highlighting the desperation and extent of the proposed operation.

💡Poland

Poland is a country in Central Europe that was a major concern for the Western Allies post-World War II due to its occupation by the Red Army. The video emphasizes Poland as a symbol of the broader issue of Soviet influence in Eastern Europe and the potential flashpoint for conflict.

💡NordVPN

NordVPN is a virtual private network (VPN) service provider mentioned in the video as a sponsor. The mention of NordVPN serves as an advertisement within the video content, promoting its services for digital security and privacy, which is unrelated to the main historical narrative.

💡General Election

The term 'General Election' in the context of the video refers to the 1945 United Kingdom general election, which resulted in a change of government and the replacement of Winston Churchill with Clement Attlee as Prime Minister. This political shift effectively ended the consideration of Operation Unthinkable.

Highlights

After World War II, the British military considered attacking the Soviets in Poland to prevent Soviet domination of Eastern Europe

Winston Churchill was deeply concerned about Soviet control over Poland and the prospect of it becoming a Soviet satellite state

The feasibility study for the proposed attack was code-named Operation Unthinkable and presented to Churchill in June 1945

The plan involved a rapid assault on Soviet troops in Poland, similar to the 1939 German invasion

The attack would be on two main fronts, with the goal of pushing the Red Army back to the Oder and Neisse rivers

The outcome would likely depend on a single, massive armored battle between the British/Allied and Soviet forces

Victory could force Stalin to accept Western terms for Poland, but total Soviet defeat would require a protracted, total war

The Western Allies would need to penetrate Soviet territory as far as the Ural Mountains to ensure a decisive victory

Soviet strategy would likely be defensive, using the vast terrain and harsh weather to their advantage

The British would also need to defend against potential Soviet rocket attacks on the British Isles

The Western Allies had naval and air superiority, but most Soviet industrial and communication targets were inland

The Western Allies had a larger strategic bomber force, but the Soviets had a significant advantage in land forces

The Western Allies would struggle to match the Soviets' manpower and resources, especially if the US withdrew troops from Europe

The British economy and public opinion would not support another long, costly war so soon after World War II

Operation Unthinkable concluded that a total war with the Soviet Union was not feasible and would take a very long time to win

The plan was abandoned after Churchill was defeated in the July 1945 general election and Clement Attlee became Prime Minister

The full details of Operation Unthinkable were kept secret until they were declassified in 1998

Transcripts

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Churchill's Plan to Start World War 3 Using German Troops

Takeaways

Q & A

What was the context of World War II ending in Europe in 1945?

Why did Winston Churchill consider the Soviet Union a potential threat after World War II?

What was the code name for the British plan to attack the Soviet Union after World War II?

What was the strategic approach considered for Operation Unthinkable?

What factors made the Western Allies consider the feasibility of a war with the Soviet Union?

Why was the idea of a new war with the Soviet Union eventually dropped?

What was the role of the German military remnants in the initial plans of Operation Unthinkable?

What was the deadline set by Churchill for the attack in Operation Unthinkable?

How did the British military strategists approach the task of devising a plan to attack the Soviet Union?

What was the outcome of the British General Election on July 5, 1945?

When was the Operation Unthinkable document declassified, and what did it reveal about the potential for World War III?