Free 1945 by William R. Forstchen, Newt Gingrich, Albert S. Hanser

Kaltenbrunner paused and pointed at the map of the United States that covered the wall behind Hitler. There, in Tennessee. They've concentrated all their production of radioactive material at one site. They're planning to build a second site in the state of Washington but it will be two years before that's completed. Our sources don't know yet at what rate they are producing the crucial elements in Tennessee so we must assume the worst, that they will complete work within eighteen months, just as Harrison's Chief of Staff boasted."
    Hitler stirred. "Early 1947."
    "Yes, my Führer."
    Hitler shifted his gaze to Speer.
    "And our bomb?"
    "Late 1947 at the earliest, and that only if everything goes perfectly, which it will not. As I have said previously, the British sabotaged some key research sites, and beyond that it will take us at least twelve months to build the massive facilities required to refine bomb-grade uranium in the sort of quantities that will be required. Like the Americans, we will need a factory area where nearly a hundred thousand workers can labor undisturbed."
    "Then why not move now?" Hitler demanded. "We are already running rehearsals and training exercises. This conference merely confirms what I already knew. We could be ready in four weeks, six at most."
    With one or two exceptions the entire group froze with almost the same look of nervous dismay. This had all been hashed out weeks ago, but Hitler had been known to change his mind. It would be very bad if this was one of those times.
    "Because, my Führer," Speer replied quickly, "as we already discussed, we have another generation of weapons just coming on line, but it will be four to six months before we are up to full-scale production. When we have them in sufficient quantity, the new jets, television-guided rocket bombs, hydrogen-powered submarines and improved rockets will give us a tremendous edge. But we need time to develop sufficient reserves. Four months would give us another thousand of the new Gotha fighters and eight hundred more Arado bombers. As for the television-guided rocket bombs, we have only two hundred and fifty; in four months we will have a thousand, enough to send every single American carrier to the bottom.
    "What we showed off at the parade looked glorious—and was! —but that display comprised nearly every plane we own of those designs. We will need these new weapons if we are to destroy the American fleet. During their Pacific War the
    Americans made tremendous advances in naval warfare. Thar fleet is formidable. Our best plan is to keep a close watch on their Manhattan Project—and move just before they have the final design. For the next six months, time is our ally, and with our marvelous new asset in their White House, we will know their every move; if there is some breakthrough we can act earlier if need be. Please, my Führer, let us wait just a little. Come spring, we will be ready."
    Hitler lowered his head as if calculating the odds once again. He finally raised his head. One by one, his gaze speared the commanders of the three military branches. "No later than April."
    Those gathered around the table visibly relaxed.
    "Now, let us consider England. The American Manhattan Project is the reason we must fight, but the assault on Oak Ridge is just part of this operation, and a minor one in terms of men and materiel. Gendemen, I expect to be in Buckingham Palace within forty-five days of the commencement of hostilities. Furthermore, I expect you to arrange matters in such fashion that England's death throes act as a lure to bring the American fleet within range of the Luftwaffe.
    "This will not be a repeat of 1940," Hitler said meaningfully, looking straight over at Göring. Thanks to Speer, control of the air will be achieved using our Me-262s and the new Gotha 229s, which are superior to anything the British have. With drop-tanks these fighters will be able to supply cover over all of England, thus eliminating our