Make what we call WWI called "The Balkan Crisis." The war starts as normal, but the swine flu hits Germany in late 1914, weakening their armies considerably; the Von Schlieffen plan is allowed to work halfway, and then the salient is cut off by British troops. A few more disasters later, and Germany surrenders in 1916, without any forces being mobilized from outside of Europe. The Versailles Treaty doesn't impose as much in the way of reparations, but still forces disarmament; instead of a Weimar Republic being installed, the Germans kick out their own monarch in disgust. National Socialism rises on schedule once the Depression hits. Germany isn't seen as a serious threat, so they get away with annexing Czechoslovakia and Poland; it's not until they hit France that the World War truly begins. With a more competent leader than OTL Hitler, France is swept aside, and Britain is forced to a negotiated peace by air raids against the RAF and industrial targets and a submarine-based naval blockade. This cedes much of Britain's Middle Eastern possessions to Germany, giving the Nazis enough oil to carry on against democratic Russia until the Ukraine has been taken, at which point the Russians sue for peace. During the distraction, Japan has acquired the Dutch East Indies, French Indochina, and large parts of China.