Opening Moves

Stalin looked up at the proud Marshall, silently inviting him to speak.

“Comrade General Secretary. Comrades. I am a military man and know little of politics. In those matters, I am guided by those who have the ability and expertise to judge. To my uneducated eye, the political considerations for this mission are proven.”

He took the plunge.

“As a soldier I have fought for the Motherland these last four years, and years before them too, years which have seen death and destruction on a scale none of us could ever have imagined.”

“Our planning gives us the opportunity to fight on the soil of our enemies and not on our own sacred land, and so we will not see the deaths to our own people that were wrought by the Germanski invaders.”

He took out a document.

“As part of the necessity of military planning I have had to project losses amongst ours and allied forces, on a best, middle, and worst case scenario. It is right that I share these figures with you. You must have this information because you know best how we may replace these losses and remain combat effective.”

This was very dangerous ground for Zhukov and everyone in the room knew it. More than one sideways glance was made at the impassive Stalin, whose sole response was to tug gently on his pipe and stare.

“In our best case, casualties amongst military personnel would be between two and four hundred thousand up to June 1946, allowing for Pacification of occupied territories and without the Iberian option. That is solely within Europe. Their casualties should at all times mirror ours. I make no reference to any civilian casualties in the affected countries.”

“Middle case indicates five hundred to eight hundred and fifty thousand, with plans being protracted beyond the expected completion dates, again without Iberia and including Pacification.”

“Worst case scenario extends our completion dates further and will probably entail 1.2 million plus casualties.”

Almost as an after-thought came a statement, which many thought would probably save his neck.

“If our casualties are high, theirs will be similar in proportion. They do not have the political will to sustain extreme loss, certainly not as we do.”

That the last comment was not necessarily glowing praise for the present assembly was missed by everyone.

Stalin stood abruptly.

“Comrade Marshall, lives lost in the protection of the Motherland are lives well spent. That has always been the case.”

More than just Zhukov felt fear at the tone.

“The key question is not how many will die but will they die in vain.”

His hand smashed down on to the table with a sound not unlike a gunshot.

“We have given you the outline and you have given us the plan. Yours is the responsibility. To bring victory and deliverance from capitalism to the Rodina is the task of the Red Army,” His arm shot out and a thick finger pointed straight at Zhukov, emphasising the middle word, “Under YOUR leadership!”

That message was loud and clear. Responsibility equalled firing squad if things went wrong.

“So Comrade Marshall Zhukov, are you capable of delivering victory?”

Zhukov snapped to attention.

“I can and will defeat the Western Allies militarily. Kingdom39 will succeed Comrade General Secretary.”

Stalin gently nodded but without taking his hardened eyes from Zhukov, assessing him and reading his resolve and commitment.

“Very good Comrade Marshall.”

His eyes flicked away and the danger was gone. Others now met his gaze but Stalin’s eyes had softened from the extreme of the last few moments.

“So, we are all agreed. We will initiate the operation as discussed?”

The unusual genuine quizzical tone caught a few by surprise and their nods were deeper and more rapid.

Turning around to focus on Zhukov once more, Stalin gave the order.

“Operation Kingdom39 is fully approved and will commence at 0530 on 6th August.”

Thus ended the pause.

It had been Beria’s idea to use the BBC to spread the information throughout Western Europe and so the radio station’s evening broadcast carried the unexpected but extremely important news that Soviet Ministers Bulganin and Molotov were to visit London and Paris in the week ahead, starting with a fight to London arriving on the morning of 6th August.

From the Atlantic coast of France to the Baltic Sea, a number of resolute young men noted the date stated and consulted their orders, confirming with a mixture of trepidation and excitement that the inclusion of Bulganin’s name indicated dawn minus fifteen minutes on the stated date.

Chapter 29 – THE CAMP

Better to fight for something than live for nothing.

George S. Patton

2154 hrs Friday, 3rd August 1945, Soviet POW Camp, Ex-OFLAG XVIIa, Edelbach, Soviet Occupied Lower Austria.

Like many things in war, or peace for that matter, what happened that Friday evening was neither planned nor anticipated. An event invited them to act and act they did.