Opening Moves

Stalin was inwardly amused as the two intelligence leaders presented a unique united front for his benefit and as it suited the party’s purpose, he would say nothing to disrupt it.

Beria concluded.

“In any case, we are sure to find something of note during these visits and liaisons, as well as through our own direct efforts. As you point out correctly, it is just a matter of time Comrade General Secretary and we must give Makarenko his three days.”

“Very well comrades, we must move on. But first tea”

The normal procedure of phone and orderly followed.

When the three of them were alone again Stalin puffed deeply on his pipe and spoke.

“Comrades, have the order for Operation Sumerechny [Twilight] sent out today for implementation immediately. I want the bastards out of the way or in the ground as soon as possible.”

Although neither of the other men was surprised, they exchanged glances.

Sumerechny was the codename for phase thirteen, the mass movement of German POW’s and general execution of officer prisoners.

Beria spoke first.

“We have made a further assessment Comrade General Secretary. Using the rolling stock that is bringing our forces to their rallying points to remove the prisoners, we can have most of the problem resolved before Kingdom initiates. Combined with those numbers for whom we intend different disposal, I anticipate the whole eastern area will be cleared, one way or another, by Day+8, provided there are no increased calls on NKVD or GRU troops in the interim. We have designated certain German prisoner groups as worker groups who will perform the labouring tasks required before they too join their comrades.”

“Comrade Marshall Beria and I have already agreed that we can transfer additional assets from our units in the Ukraine and elsewhere if necessary, allowing for the fact that that would slow down the resettlement programmes there.”

Looking at Beria for support, Pekunin continued.

“We have not actioned this yet but it is in line with your edict on priorities.”

It was only a few seconds silence as Stalin thought it through, but it seemed longer to the GRU officer.

“The Ukrainian monkeys can wait a while longer. Transfer the assets if it becomes necessary, ensuring sufficient left in place for security. I don’t want those damn Slavs starting anything that could damage our western operations.”

It was as easy as that. A decision that was to move uncountable numbers of men hundreds of miles and condemn thousands of others to instant death.

The orders flowed around Europe and by midday on the 28th, large contingents of German prisoners were moving eastwards. Driven on foot by their guards, most were glad to be leaving their accommodation but all shared the trepidation that accompanied a clear move to the east and away from their homelands.

Other groups of Soviet security troops were tasked very differently and the killing started.

Military officer figures, Captain had been selected as the lowest rank to be liquidated, were herded away from the large groups on some pretext.

The plan was simple.

Move the German prisoners away from the logistical routes so they could not cause problems. Use the returning transport to expedite the move swiftly. Kill as many German officers as possible.

Katyn had been cited in Stalin’s office and it was a fair comparison.

From camps the length and breadth of Soviet occupied Europe, columns of men were on the move whilst assassination squads worked feverishly before moving on to the next assignment.

As was bound to happen, some camps realised what was happening and there were outbreaks of rebellion. In such cases, five in total, everyone was killed out of hand. In those five camps alone Seven thousand prisoners were efficiently murdered. Flamethrowers were employed to burn the bodies in their huts after the surviving prisoners had stacked their comrades and been shot in turn.

One incident outside of Ostrava saw a column of nine hundred and fifty prisoners denied use of the bridge over the Opava River.

Men who had been run into the ground for hours previously were forced into the water in a bid to reach the other bank. Comrade struggled to help comrade; those who could swim attempted to assist those who could not through ability or injury. They drowned in their hundreds.

Less than two hundred men formed on the other side and of them, only one hundred and twenty-six made it to the railway line, the rest falling dead or dying on route.

About two thousand men crowded into a modest steamer were lost in the Baltic when it ran into a floating German mine off Danzig.

Trains crammed with prisoners flowed eastwards in the daytime and back again at night, filled with very different cargoes.

Some trains hauled only bodies to special sites where they were swiftly interred and all traces removed.

It was murder on a huge scale.

Chapter 25 – THE BOY