191

Episode 191: Toward Victory (4)

As the distance between the German army and Moscow grew closer, the Soviet army fought more fiercely and more tenaciously.

"Fight! If we are breached, Moscow will be in danger! Everyone fight to the death!"

"For Mother Russia! charge!!"

Regardless of day or night, the Soviet army attacked whenever the opportunity arose.

Their attacks were often repulsed by the German army, but the repeated battles and daily forced marches toward Moscow exhausted even the invincible German army.

What made the German army particularly distressed was the Soviet army's nightly bombing raids.

-Kuaang!

"······Fuck you again?!"

"weather! Everyone wake up!"

As the sun set, the Soviet Air Force's U-2 bombers flew in and dropped bombs over the heads of the German troops.

The U-2, a biplane somewhat unsuited to the battlefield of 1942, was used as a pilot training aircraft and liaison aircraft in the Soviet Union, and for agricultural purposes on collective farms, but soon after the outbreak of the German-German War, the U-2 demonstrated excellent performance as a night bomber.

The Soviet pilots of the lightweight U-2, made of wood and canvas, climbed to a high altitude, turned off the engine, and glided in a glider style to silently infiltrate the German camp.

Then, drop the bomb on the German position, turn on the engine, and fly away leisurely.

The U-2, which flew in silently every night, dropped bombs and ran away, was a very annoying and irritating presence to the German military.

In particular, the 588th Night Bombing Aviation Regiment, which was comprised of all female pilots, was called the 'Night Witches' by the German military due to its considerable achievements.

"found! "There are two guys at 2 o'clock!"

"Start shooting!"

However, the German military did not just sit back and suffer from the U-2.

As the damage caused by the U-2 accumulated, the German military also responded by supplying more anti-aircraft searchlights, small-diameter anti-aircraft guns, and incendiary bombs to the entire army to prepare for the U-2's attack.

The Germans turned on their anti-aircraft searchlights and fired anti-aircraft guns as soon as they spotted the U-2 flying in the night sky.

The Kugelblitz's MK103 autocannon spewed fire, and bright yellow tracer bullets flew toward the dark blue sky.

As anti-aircraft fire began, the female U-2 pilot increased speed and turned the control stick to the right.

However, an incendiary bomb hit the left wing and the aircraft caught fire.

The fire that started at the tip of the wing soon spread to the entire aircraft.

"Great! "I caught one!"

Subsequently, an anti-aircraft MG40 mounted on a tripod shot down an additional U-2.

Machine guns such as the MG34 or MG40 were more effective against the U-2 due to the problem of over-penetration of anti-aircraft guns with a caliber of 20 mm or more unless they were incendiary bombs.

The two pilots of the crashed U-2 were still alive. Before the two could get out of the damaged aircraft, the pursuing Germans pulled the two pilots out of the aircraft.

They were then beaten mercilessly with butts and field shovels.

"What kind of trouble are you going through because of these bitches!"

"Fuck you, you bitches!"

"Aaaah!!"

By the time the officers came running and shouted that they needed to get information, it was already too late.

The soldiers who had lost their senses due to anger were never told that they should be taken prisoner in order to obtain information.

Before the captured U-2 pilots could be interrogated, they were seized by angry German soldiers and beaten until their bones were broken and their flesh was torn, their skulls were crushed and their brains oozed out like porridge.

This was something that happened every day on the Eastern Front.

While bloody battles and tragedies were being repeated on the front lines, an important meeting that could change the fate of not only Europe but the world was taking place in Breslau.

"If Caucasus doesn't work, how about this? What about ceding Russian territories controlled by Germany instead?"

"If it is Russian territory controlled by Germany-"

"you're right. "Smolensk, Belukye Luki, Pskov, Leningrad… Oh, maybe Murmansk too."

Molotov looked at Ribbentrop as if he was at a loss for words.

"Do you really think that makes sense?"

"Why do you think it doesn't make sense? After all, since the Baltic countries were ceded, wouldn't Leningrad no longer be of less value to the Soviet Union? "If it were me, I would give up Leningrad to protect the Caucasus."

We wouldn't have started such a ridiculous war in the first place.

Ribbentrop also talked about ceding southern Russian territory in place of the Caucasus.

Even the Fuhrer would be satisfied if it was from Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Rostov, Voronezh to the Don River basin.

Naturally, this too was rejected by Molotov.

If southern Russia were handed over to Germany, Moscow would be surrounded on three sides and its connection with the Caucasus oil field would be virtually cut off.

Germany and the Soviet Union were in sharp conflict not only over territory but also over the issue of reparations.

Molotov said that the amount of compensation demanded by Germany was too high and requested that it be adjusted to 6 billion marks, while Ribbentrop insisted that it could not be lowered below 30 billion marks.

"And let's get this straight. Leningrad has not yet fallen. At least until now."

"To be honest, don't you know that Leningrad won't last long?"

Leningrad was currently in the midst of street fighting.

The Northern Army Group continued to push the Soviet Army forward and succeeded in advancing all the way to the Neva River, and German troops continued to enter Leningrad through the docks.

The Leningrad defenders were barely holding on by using the buildings of the city as shields, but hundreds of surrendering soldiers were crossing over to the German army every day.

It seemed that Stavka was already hoping to wear out the German army by resisting as long as possible rather than holding out without Leningrad falling, and Molotov also knew that there would be no surprise if news of Leningrad's fall came tomorrow.

However, since he was in a position where he could not reveal this fact to his enemy, Germany, he acted in the opposite direction on the outside.

"No matter how we win or lose, Leningrad will remain Leningrad. "Forever."

"Well, I understand. So what are you going to do? If the Minister unconditionally opposes all issues, continuing the talks is meaningless. "What are you going to do?"

"Joe, please give me a little time."

Even if you give it time, the conclusion won't change.

Ribbentrop clicked his tongue inwardly, but obediently agreed to Molotov's request.

"All right. "Let's take a break and then start again."

***

As expected, Molotov's face is said to have turned pale when the topic of the Caucasus cession was brought up.

First of all, Ribbentrop is insisting that he will follow my instructions and get it to the Caucasus.

However, there was a hint of anxiety in Ribbentrop's voice over the phone.

-They really don't want to give up the Caucasus. How about ending it with only the Baltic countries, Belarus, and Ukraine receiving support?

Ribbentrop firmly believed that prolonging the war would not be good for Germany.

Therefore, he was anxious that if he broke up the meeting over the Caucasus issue, a catastrophe might occur in the future.

Listening to Ribbentrop, even I felt a little shaken in my resolve.

As he said, should we just end the war at this level?

Just receiving the entire western territory of the Soviet Union was more than enough to make up for all the damage and losses incurred during the war.

Just as Hitler was greedy for no reason and ended up being defeated, something could happen if we are greedy for the Caucasus.

We are at war not only with the Soviet Union but also with Britain.

However, there were many uncertainties about stopping the war here.

The Baku oil fields, which were destroyed by bombing by our forces, will resume operation as early as the end of this year, or at the latest by next spring, and the overpopulated Soviet Union, even if it loses its western territory, will quickly establish a large army with personnel conscripted from Siberia and Central Asia.

If the Soviet Union, which had gathered all its strength, were to start a war again, there might be greater damage than now, and in the worst case, it could result in a nuclear war that not only destroys Europe but also the world!

There is no guarantee that the Soviet Union will not dream of revenge if the Caucasus is lost, but it cannot be denied that at least the presence or absence of oil produced in the Caucasus will have a decisive influence on the rearmament of the Soviet Union.

If Germany possesses the Caucasus, it can not only supply oil but also use it as a bridgehead to attack the southern part of the Soviet Union and Central Asia in case of emergency, thereby deterring the Soviet Union's war attempts.

Therefore, even if you give up everything else, you must get Caucasus.

It was not for nothing that Göring, Keitel, Brauchitsch, and Goebbels all clamored for the Caucasus to be acquired.

"Never back down on the Caucasus issue, even if it means giving up compensation. If the Caucasus is in our hands, it is possible to reduce the Soviet Union's national power by up to half of its current level. Do you understand?"

"-Yes, Mr. President."

***

At the same time, Stalin in the Kremlin also received information from Molotov about the progress of the talks.

Molotov's Soviet negotiating team received permission from the German authorities to use a telegraph so that they could report the results of negotiations and receive instructions from the Soviet Union via radiotelegraph (of course, Germany intercepted the Soviet Union's radios).

As expected, Germany requested the Caucasus in addition to the Baltic countries, Belarus, and Ukraine.

He also said that if the Caucasus does not work, give up northern Russian territory, including Leningrad, or southern Russia.

Stalin was troubled when he heard about Germany's demands.

Through meetings with close associates, it was already clear that Caucasus was non-negotiable, but despite this, the anxiety in the back of his mind could not be calmed.

Should we hand them all over and end the war? At the current rate, the German army will soon reach Moscow.

If Zhukov's plan worked, Moscow could be defended, but it was clear that great damage would follow.

And even if Moscow is defended, there is no prospect that the tide will turn.

It may be the best option for the Soviet Union to hand over what Germany wants and stamp the armistice document.

But when it came time to stop the war, I was concerned about the people's reaction.

Stalin himself once appeared on a radio broadcast and said that his country was in crisis and encouraged all people to participate in the war.

And that was just a few days ago. But what would the people think if they suddenly handed over everything Germany asked for and ended the war?

Rather than feeling fortunate that the war is over, wouldn't you think that the government gave up easily when it could still fight more?

Even if the blame for the defeat was placed on the scapegoats selected in advance and killed, the status once lost would remain at the bottom, and in the end, it would become the tip of a huge spear and threaten Stalin's power.

Stalin's close friend Voroshilov said something similar.

There is a huge difference between signing a document after a fight and signing a document without a fight, even if the results are the same.

He also acknowledged that negotiations were inevitable considering the situation the Soviet Union was in, but he was strongly opposed to the issue of handing over territories other than the Baltic countries, Belarus, and Ukraine.

In particular, handing over the Caucasus, a treasure trove of Soviet resources, to Germany meant giving Germany a foothold for advancing into the Middle East and Central Asia, while at the same time forcing Germany to rely solely on imports of oil from other countries for the rest of its life.

Stalin's associates - Voroshilov, Khrushchev, Kaganovich, Kalinin, Malenkov, Mikoyan, etc. - also unanimously said that the Caucasus should never be handed over.

After much deliberation, Stalin sent a reply to Molotov. Stick to your current position.

***

"You said .·····."

Ribbentrop, who met Molotov face to face after two hours, told him what he had heard from the Fuhrer over the phone.

"I'll say it again, it's hard to make concessions in the Caucasus. The same goes for Leningrad and Voronezh."

Molotov's answer did not change either.

The Soviet Union was in the position that it could only cede the Baltic countries, Belarus, and Ukraine and pay only 6 billion marks in compensation, and could not accept Germany's demand for more than that.

To divert attention, Molotov talked about declaring a ceasefire across the entire front while negotiations continued, but Ribbentrop flatly refused. This is because there was an order from the President to immediately reject any request for a ceasefire under the pretext of a meeting.

"······I can't do that. Since we do not agree with each other, it seems pointless to continue the talks."

Ribbentrop sighed and stood up.

The talks broke down. The war will not stop and more people will die and many cities and villages will be devastated.

"I am saying this out of an old heart, but if I were Secretary General Stalin, I would have achieved peace even if it meant handing over the Caucasus."

"Why?"

"Why? Doesn't the Minister know? "Now the Soviet Union has no hope of going to war."

"her. Although the Red Army is being pushed back by the German Wehrmacht, it is not enough for the Minister to worry about. The Soviet Union has infinite population and resources. Even though the war situation is not good now, sooner or later the Red Army will launch a counteroffensive and push the Wehrmacht beyond the Dnieper River."

"Is that so? "Do you truly believe that this war will end in victory for the Soviet Union?"

"······exactly."

Molotov thought briefly about Ribbentrop's question, but soon realized his mistake and hastily answered.

But Ribbentrop seemed to have noticed and grinned, confusing Molotov.

"indeed. You are someone who is trusted by General Secretary Stalin. Well sir. "But since you've come this far, how about getting some rest?"

"I just accept your heart. "It's wartime, and all the people are fighting to fulfill their duties, and I can't just live comfortably alone."

"This is unfortunate. Would you still like to attend dinner tonight? "His Excellency the Führer has instructed us to prepare a special dinner for the minister visiting Germany."

Molotov asked as if he were wondering. no way······?

"Is Fuhrer Hitler coming too?"

"yes. "You decided to come to Breslau as soon as your work in Berlin is over."