134

May 2, 1942

New Fuhrer's Residence in Berlin, Germany

The Soviet military's preparations for war continued day by day.

I don't know if they don't know that their movements have already been discovered by us, or if they do it knowingly, but what is certain is that they are sincere.

"Mr. President, we must strike preemptively even now-"

"What have you understood from me so far? A preemptive strike is never possible! "If you do that, you'll just give them justification!"

"Then even if it's a mobilization order… ."

"The mobilization order… . Not yet. "A mobilization order cannot be issued until there are clear signs that war will break out."

While the Soviet Union was deploying troops on the border, it was also steadily delivering the supplies it had promised to us.

The quantity of materials provided to us by the Soviet Union was accurate and the quality was average.

Seeing this, it became even more difficult to understand the Soviet Union's intentions.

Is it really true that the Soviet Union is preparing for war? Are they simply preparing in advance for a German invasion?

Maybe this too is some kind of strategy to deceive our eyes. Isn't the Reds' specialty the slash-and-burn, two-front strategy?

However, it seems unlikely that the cautious Stalin would take the reckless gamble of war with Germany... . I can't figure it out.

Still, considering the damage the Soviet Union actually suffered from letting its guard down, it was right to prepare in advance.

I instructed Manstein to immediately shoot down any Soviet aircraft that violated German airspace if they did not respond to warnings.

And, in the event of an exchange of fire with Soviet troops, permission was given to take action before reporting.

But only if the Soviets attacked first. Until then, they were instructed not to attack at all, to maintain a distance from the enemy, and to report the situation.

Because I don't want to leave any excuse for the Soviets to claim that we attacked first.

Negotiations with Romania and Türkiye were successful. Both agreed to our proposal and readily opened the border.

With this, if war breaks out, we have gained an important foothold from which we can attack the Baku oil fields.

In Norway, Johan Nygorsvoll resigned as Prime Minister for health reasons, and Vidkun Quisling, who had risen to stardom among the people by predicting a British invasion, became the new Prime Minister of Norway.

Norway, where the National Union Party led by Quisling came to power, immediately accepted our request to use military bases in northern Norway in preparation for war with the Soviet Union.

The mission of the Norwegian Expeditionary Force was to attack and inflict damage on the Soviet Union's Murmansk port with the support of the Norwegian army in case of emergency.

"Mr. Fuhrer, in order to prepare for war with the Soviet Union, it is necessary to increase the size of the Waffen-SS, which has excellent combat capabilities."

Himmler thought it was time to ask me to create new divisions of the Waffen-SS.

Brauchitsch opposed Himmler's request, saying that six divisions were enough for now, but Keitel and Reichenau, who were fascinated by the outstanding performance of the Waffen-SS in actual combat, said that there would be no problem with Himmler's request as long as the Waffen-SS was under the command of the Wehrmacht. In fact, he sided with Himmler.

Göring and Raeder declared neutrality.

Himmler insisted on drastically increasing the number of Waffen-SS divisions from 6 to 15, but I only allowed the creation of 4 divisions for now.

The 7th SS Mountain Prinz Eugen and the 8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer were created on the same day, the 9th SS Panzer Division Nordland, composed of Northern European, Belgian, and Dutch volunteers, and the 10th SS Waffen Grenadier Division Charlemagne, composed of French volunteers. Each was founded with a gap of two days.

In addition, the 500th SS Airborne Battalion, the first SS airborne unit, was also established.

However, because the SS did not have many officers with parachutist training, the training had to be entrusted to the Air Force Airborne Unit.

And finally… .

"Mr. President."

"Why are you doing this, Marshal?"

"I'm not sure if this is really the right decision."

While reviewing a telegram to be sent to Stalin, Keitel spoke in a very uncertain voice. Is this really true? A face I want.

"Wouldn't that just tell us that we are detecting their movements?"

As Keitel pointed out, it was enough for the Soviet Union to capture them, and there was a risk that the Soviet military's camouflage would only become more sophisticated.

But I had already made up my mind.

"That's a valid point. But at least if the Soviets found out we were keeping a close eye on them, wouldn't they stop their invasion plans? "It's as if the opponent is already looking at his hand openly and there is no one to continue the game."

I wondered if Stalin would at least reconsider the invasion if he realized that his hand had been exposed.

Stalin was so cautious that he caused the crushing defeat of the Soviet Army in the early stages of the German-Soviet War, so he would not commit a war when everything was exposed.

… .Of course, this is just my wish and no one knows what changes may have occurred in Stalin's feelings as history has changed.

Still, this was the only way I could think of to prevent war.

"What you said is correct, Marshal Keitel. If Germany knew that the Soviet Union was preparing for an attack, the Soviet Union would not dare start a war. "Isn't just being able to prevent unnecessary wars a sufficient achievement?"

"But this is a bit…" ."

Despite Ribbentrop's strong defense, Keitel narrowed his eyes as if it was not appropriate.

"Think of it as a small sacrifice to prevent a big war, Marshal. As Minister Ribbentrop said, it is a much better choice than having a war break out and countless people being killed and injured."

"… .All right."

My 'warning' to Stalin was sent to Werner von Schulenberg, the German ambassador to Moscow.

With this I did everything I could.

All that remains is Stalin's share.

What decision will Stalin make? .

***

May 3, 1942

USSR Moscow Kremlin Palace

A telegram arrived from Germany.

Molotov, who despised Stalin and thought he was a simpleton, entered the office with a pale face and delivered Stalin a telegram from Germany and Hitler.

On a piece of paper the size of the palm of one's hand was written a warning from Hitler to Stalin.

-I am truly sorry to tell you this, but intelligence continues to come in that your country is going to attack Germany, and your army keeps moving west. What did we do wrong?

Please let us know if we have done anything wrong to your country or if we have done something that caused your country to misunderstand. We are willing to conduct a joint investigation with your country to resolve any misunderstandings between our two countries. However, if it is an intentional threat aimed at Germany rather than simply based on rational grounds, we have no choice but to take action as it is inevitably necessary.

Although the tone of the telegram was polite, the content was not polite at all. You know what you are doing, so don't even dream of doing anything foolish. These were Hitler's words to Stalin.

Although it was expected to some extent, Germany had already seen all of the Soviet Union's actions.

Everything from deploying troops on the German border to ultimately planning an attack on Germany.

"What would you like me to reply to?"

Molotov asked, but Stalin did not answer. He was so distracted by the German telegram that he forgot that Molotov was still there.

Since the opponent has already read the hand, it makes sense to give up and concede at this point in the game. But reality was not a game.

Even if the Soviet Union backed down, there was no way Germany would just leave the Soviet Union, which wanted to invade its country, alone.

From the moment one side's intentions were revealed to the other, war was practically inevitable.

"Uh, Comrade Secretary?"

"… ..What's going on?"

"What should I write in my reply to Germany?"

Stalin wondered if he would be angry, wondering if he had to give instructions for every single thing, but then he remembered the importance of the situation and became troubled.

In a normal case, I would have instructed Molotov to take care of it, but this was a matter of a different order.

"Let's take it off for now. must. "Whatever you say, give us at least some plausible explanation so that Germany will be less suspicious of us."

"But will Germany believe what we say?"

When Molotov asked again as if he was unsure, Stalin's anger exploded.

"Whether the Germans believe it or not, we must arrest them! Of course they won't believe it! Are you going to say, 'Oh, actually, we were planning on attacking you, but we got caught'? Is that what you think? "Please think about it, you incompetent bastard!"

Stalin, unable to control his anger, picked up the cup and threw it at Molotov. The cup did not hit Molotov, but it hit the wall and shattered.

"Get out now!"

"Yes, yep! Comrade Secretary General, I beg your pardon!"

Molotov ran away without looking back.

Germany knows everything. But we cannot stop here.

Even if the Soviet Union retreats, Germany, which has already confirmed that the Soviet Union has the will to go to war, will attack the Soviet Union.

Right now, we need to bide our time by at least telling a lie that is obvious.

Stalin became impatient and summoned Tymoshenko and Zhukov.

The two men were already accustomed to appearing at the Kremlin without prior notice under Stalin's summons, but even they could not hide their astonishment at Stalin's subsequent questions.

"I think we will have to expedite the start of Operation Uranus."

"yes?"

"Comrade Secretary General, what do you mean by that?"

Tikoshenko and Zhukov were taken aback by Stalin's words.

The start date of the operation has already been brought forward by two months, so we are busy re-drawing the operation plan, but now they are pushing it forward again?

As if anticipating the reaction of Stalin's two subordinates, he showed a telegram from Germany.

"The Germans noticed. First of all, I gave instructions to Molotov to cover up appropriately, but that won't work. Even if we pull back our troops, Germany will see this as an opportunity and attack. "Now the only option we have left is to attack quickly before the Germans do."

"But Comrade Secretary General. It is impossible to advance the plan any further here."

Before Zhukov could say anything, the younger Tymoshenko spoke first.

"We have already moved up the operation start date by two months, but if we change the start date again, all plans will be ruined. And the deployment of the entire army is not even halfway done."

Stalin listened quietly to what Tymoshenko said.

Tymoshenko hesitated as to whether he could continue talking like this for fear of making Stalin uncomfortable, but he made up his mind and continued speaking.

"The German army is one of the strongest armies in the world. To deal with such an army, the Red Army would have to use all its might, and even half-prepared efforts would never guarantee victory against the German army. To put it bluntly, the German army only has fewer troops than our army, but it is superior to the Red Army in almost every aspect, including the quality of its troops, their skills, and their equipment.

Comrade Secretary General, please reconsider your decision."

"As time passes, our military's readiness will improve, but the same goes for our enemies. Don't you know that Germany is already deploying troops along the border? And, if Germany strikes first while our military hesitates due to lack of preparation, what will we do then? In a war, the one who fights first wins. Without having to go far, come see Japan right away. Japan destroyed the U.S. Pacific Fleet through a surprise attack and was able to take control of Southeast Asia as a result.

"If we want to win against the mighty German army, we also need to destroy the enemy's power through a surprise attack!"

"Comrade Secretary General is right, but Japan was able to successfully attack Pearl Harbor through thorough preparation. However, half-hearted preparation will never achieve the same results as Japan."

Stalin was Stalin, but Tymoshenko also never wanted to back down this time.

Realizing that Tymoshenko's will was strong, Stalin changed his focus and turned his attention to Zhukov.

"Comrade Zhukov, what is your opinion?"

From the moment Stalin began arguing with Tymoshenko, Zhukov had expected Stalin to ask him questions as well.

Part of me wanted to take Tymoshenko's side and ask him to reconsider his decision. From a realistic perspective, Stalin's order was tantamount to suicide.

It's not easy to finish something that should have taken four months in two months, but to cut this even further? What is the difference between making bread quickly before it is even harvest time?

However, Zhukov could not easily go against Stalin's words. His family and relatives were trapped in the gulag at this very moment.

If you go against Stalin's opinion and get on his nerves, not only will you not be able to guarantee their safety, but your own position will also be in jeopardy.

Isn't he already in a situation where his every move is being monitored by the NKVD?

If Stalin wanted to, it would be no problem to turn himself, the Red Army's Chief of Staff, into a living corpse with nothing but bones and skin remaining.

Don't you already know what kind of situation your superior, Rokossovsky, became overnight?

"I am… ."

Zhukov did not know that Tymoshenko was also looking at him with a desperate expression.

But at this moment, there was nothing I could do.

Not only was there no guarantee that Stalin would make concessions even if he expressed his opposition, but it was obvious that his family and relatives would suffer even greater hardship.

Even his own life could be in danger.

In the end, there is only one thing left.

"When Comrade Secretary General gives instructions, I just follow them."

Zhukov could see Stalin's thick mustache twitching.

This could prolong the lives of Zhukov and his relatives.

The fate of the Red Army soldiers took a completely opposite path.

"The start date of Operation Uranus is May 25th. May 25th, remember."

***

"I am truly sorry, comrade."

The two did not speak a word before leaving Stalin's office and leaving the Kremlin.

But as soon as he left the Kremlin, Zhukov stopped and bowed to Tymoshenko.

Zhukov, who was famous for his strong self-esteem, had a confident and arrogant attitude even to his superiors, which was controversial in many ways.

It wasn't common for him to bow his head before the other person even said anything.

"Why on earth… .."

Tymoshenko, who was about to criticize Zhukov's 'betrayal', soon closed his mouth and turned his head.

He also had eyes and ears, so he didn't know what kind of situation Zhukov was facing right now.

In order to save his life and the lives of his relatives, he would have had no choice but to accept the secretary's unfair orders.

Above all, he, who was considered the most capable soldier in the Red Army, would not have known how absurd the Secretary General's instructions were.

Tymoshenko sighed in frustration.

"Neither you nor I can turn back now."

"I know, comrade."

"I have to complete all preparations in just three weeks. Do you think it will be possible?"

"It's impossible."

Zhukov immediately shook his head.

"However, even if it is impossible to reach 100%, I will try my best to reach 90%. "Sorry again, comrade."

Tymoshenko could not say anything to Zhukov, who repeatedly bowed his head and apologized.

Now the fate of the Red Army and the Soviet Union depended solely on these two men.

Although they were considered one of the most capable people in the Soviet Union, it was too much of a burden for these two people to bear.

Damn it. I didn't come all this way to take on such a big burden… .