Hello,
I'm interested in hearing information that anyone may have on what the Soviets planned to happen in the event of a successful World War 3 in Europe, assuming that the world was not devastated by nuclear weapons.
Would the policy have been to install Communist governments largely within the same borders of pre-existing countries? Could any of the Warsaw Pact members have counted on some spoils? For example, Bulgaria annexing portions of Greece or Turkey?
In particular I'm interested in the fate of Germany. Was there an expectation that Germany would be re-unified under the control of the existing East German government? Was there ever serious thought on the logistics and difficulties such a thing would entail?
Or would the Soviets be too wary of a unified Germany and would instead insist on Balkanizing West Germany into several different states - i.e. People's Republic of Bavaria, People's Republic of North Germany, or whatever?
As far as I'm aware, all Soviet scenarios for a conflict with NATO were defensive/retaliatory. As such, I'm not sure they ever got around to making plans for after the fighting, especially considering that most of these scenarios included widespread use of tactical and strategic nuclear weapons which in theory would have turned most of Europe, significant portions of the US and presumably USSR as well into a smoking wasteland.
It depends.
I hate to answer your question like that, but I think that is the best answer.
The Soviets had lots of plans (as did everyone else) for just about every conceivable scenario.
The best known Soviet plan "One week to the river Rhine" had a major thrust by guards and VDV to the north, with regular Soviet forces holding the Americans in the south. The idea was that the forces of the lesser NATO allies could be surrounded and destroyed with ease, before the guards and VDV (after they captured the REFORGER stocks) could wheel around and hit the Americans in the rear.
Now, as to what you're asking.
It's generally accepted by intelligence agencies, particularly after the fall and the release of some (but nowhere near all) documents, West Germany was to be absorbed into the Warsaw Pact. Once Soviet forces neared the French border, the USSR would issue France and Italy an ultimatum. Either drop out of NATO and become neutral or the Red Army would nuke all their sea and airports, then invade.
Given as France already had one foot out of NATO, Soviet planners expected them to take the deal. The result would be America forced out of continental Europe, at what point it would cease to be economically viable for the US to wage war against the USSR.