World War Three 1946 Series Boxed Set: Stalin Strikes First
Page 12
V1 Buzz Bomb
***
Yellow Flight
Over TF 87,
English Channel
06:05
“Yellow Flight to control... Those bombers just dropped torpedoes that deployed parachutes. Better get word to the battlewagons to watch for torpedoes in the water.”
***
Yellow Flight
Over TF 87,
English Channel
06:11
“Yellow Flight to control, those torpedoes appear to be circling after they hit the water. Someone better warn those battleships.”
***
Red Flight,
Over TF 87,
English Channel
06:13
Jeezus H. Freakin' Christ! They just got the South Dakota and the Mighty Mo! Fuck, now they're shooting at us! “Red Flight, climb to 12,000 feet…wait make that 4,000 meters…Damned NATO metric…Oh no, they got Willy!” Jeezus! Can’t these knuckleheads tell which ones are the bad guys? “Climb Red Flight...CLIMB! They're shooting at anything that flies.”
***
Damaged Bridge,
U.S.S. South Dakota
06:26
“Lay back Admiral, you’ve been wounded. Corpsman over here!”
“What hit us George? What in the hell was that? The flames…the fire…smoke…what's that God-awful smell?”
“I don’t know Sir, it all happened so fast. We didn’t even have time to react…Sir? Sir? Never mind, Corpsman. He’s dead. ALL HANDS, PREPARE TO ABANDON SHIP!”
The White House Map Room
Washington D.C.
July 11th, 1946
06:21
“What the hell happened out there today Leahy?”
“Well, sir it appears that the Reds have made operational the German Arado Ar-234 jet bomber…Hitler’s 'Blitz' Bomber. They came screaming in at less than 315 feet under the radar floor and power-climbed to 6,000 feet, dive-bombing the battleships. All our attention was concentrated to the east, where the Buzz-Bombs were coming out of the sun.”
“It kind of reminds me of what happened at Midway, where all the Japanese concentrated on shooting down the torpedo planes, failing to notice our dive-bombers coming in. [xxiv] Then, the gunners that did see them, thought that they were British Meteors jet fighters. We have eyewitness accounts that Admiral Mitscher ordered them not to fire until it was too late. We just had no idea that the Soviets had an operational jet bomber.”
“The real killer though, was some torpedo-bombers that used the Russian version of that Italian Motobomba FFF circle-torpedo. It can be dropped from up to 4,000 meters, and its descent is retarded by a parachute. Once they hit the water they circle in an ever-increasing radius until they hit something, or their motors stop. The Italian version was copied by the Germans, with their... ah here it is... the LT350, and now the Soviets apparently have their own version, the 45-36AV-A.”
“Here's the report sir. The South Dakota is at the bottom of the English Channel, with over 750 casualties, including dead, missing and wounded. The Missouri is a floating hulk and is being towed to Portsmouth, England. They sustained 591 casualties."
“Why did the South Dakota go down so fast?”
“She was hit three times, by 1,000-kg armor-piercing bombs, then she took two of those torpedoes. The first one struck just fore of her superstructure portside, the second one slammed into her armor belt amidships, on the starboard side. Either the third bomb, or the first torpedo, penetrated into the forward magazine causing it to explode spectacularly, which broke her back. This is like HMS Hood, which went down in three minutes after a lucky hit by the Bismarck's main batteries.”
“The Reds are cashing in on their captured German wonder-weapons and their 'guest' scientists. You say it was a jet bomber?”
“Yes sir, and some Tu-2's with those damn circling torpedoes. Something old, and something new.”
“We have jet fighters in the area, don't we?”
“Yes sir, but they were ordered not to enter the naval air-combat zone for fear of friendly-fire incidents by Admiral Mitscher. The Army Air Force's P-80's were also lured into chasing after a couple of dozen decoys. The Navy wanted it that way claiming they could take care of their own. After all, they have over twenty aircraft carriers on station right now. What they lacked was their own fighter jet.”
“And why is that?”
“They've been developing their own, and have refused to work with the Army, on an off-the-shelf, operational, shipboard variant of the P-80. Instead they're invested in developing their own jet fighter based on one of the captured German models but are having trouble with the tail section. In the meanwhile they were caught too low and too slow to catch the new Soviet jet-job. Nonetheless there is good news.”
“I'll bet...and what would that be?”
“The Soviets appear to only have sixteen jet bombers, and we shot down three of them.”
“What about those reports about the V-1 Buzz-Bombs hitting the ships?”
“Well sir, it appears they were a decoy all along. No one saw any of the V-1's hit any of the ships. The torpedo depends on blind luck and is designed to be dropped in the middle of a convoy, or in a busy harbor. Or in this case, a battle line of dozens of battleships, and it can be effective. The torpedo is not some kind of wonder weapon, but just the right tool, used at the right time. You have to give the Reds credit on this one.”
“Alright Leahy, I'm ordering Nimitz to use the P-80 until your own plane is a reality. We need the Navy, and we need them bad for our plans to proceed. You'll just have to use the P-80, in the meantime. From what I understand it is the best, and fastest plane in the air. The Navy has to be able to defend itself, now. Not tomorrow, but now.”
“Yes sir; on another subject sir…we just lost two battleships…”
“Yes, I understand. Damn it, we just stayed a little too long. We can't underestimate the Reds like that again. End 'Operation Louisville Slugger' now.”
“It was only a delaying tactic anyway. Just to buy us some time, and that’s what it did; two weeks, and a very steep price for Uncle Joe to swallow. That ought to slow him up a bit next time he decides to run through an open door just because it’s open. Send my condolences to all involved. I will address the nation on Wednesday about the losses of two magnificent ships and hundreds of brave young men.”
“Well put sir. How long before you think the Reds will figure out our real plan?”
“Hopefully not for another month at least we should be in position by then. At least that is the plan. You're dismissed, Admiral… Churchill is calling, and he is a real windbag.”
“Yes sir.”
***
The following demonstrates the strange relationship that Stalin had with his pet and idiot savant Sergo Peshkov.
***
The Kremlin
Stalin's Private Office
July 11th, 1946
1358 hours
“Sergo, what is the situation as you see it?”
“Comrade Stalin, thank you for seeing me and asking such an astute question. The NATO command now knows that we have used our own resources and combined them with our liberated Nazi technology to create what they could not. Our Terror Bombers and the torpedoes have done their job and for the loss of one, we have sunk or at the very least, severely damaged two battleships. Consequently, they have cancelled their little game in the English Channel.”
“We can expect them to test our defenses against their B-29 Superfortress soon according to the information you have given me. I am confident that we will be able to defeat a major raid if given specific information about when and where, it is to happen. We have had over two years to study the B-29. In that time we have developed two main countermeasures to their threat. We lack only the quantity of weapons necessary to cover all of our major strategic assets. With the proper preparation, we will be able to confuse and confound the bombers and their escorts. They will not be able to determine just wha
t we have done, that has enabled us to destroy them in great numbers. I estimate that we will achieve a twenty percent or better destruction rate, with an eighty percent chance of shooting down any bomber carrying an atomic bomb.”
“The NKVD is taking care of the 'when' and 'where,' Sergo. I have been assured that we will have at least two weeks' notice of the impending attack.”
“Then there should be no delay, in my receiving that information!”
“Yes, Sir, Gospodin Sergo! Yes……………Sir!”
“Oh. Excuse me, Esteemed Comrade. I get carried away sometimes.”
“One more question puzzles me Sergo. What do you need a hundred hamsters for?”
“That is actually a personal project Comrade.”
“Just make sure it does not interfere with your work Sergo.”
“I would not dream of it Comrade.”
“You are dismissed, Sergo... Major Nikolayev. Send the order to recall Sokolovsky to the Kremlin. I want to discuss the location of the Yankees. They seem to have disappeared. There are at least ten divisions unaccounted for according to all indications and reports from the NKVD.”
“I would know nothing about that Comrade.”
“Of course you don’t Sergo. That’s why I need to talk to Sokolovsky. I have already dismissed you. Why are you still here, Sergo?”
“Thank you Esteemed Comrade.”
Stalin and Unkown Belived to be the only Surviving Image of Sergo Peskov
Chapter Ten:
Progress
US Convoy Heading Southeast into Spain
***
The following are more personal stories from the front that demonstrate deeds both noble and heinous. Remember that 13 year old girl and her father? Their situation comes into play; as well as demonstrating the humanity of some of our combatants towards the innocent.
***
What the hell are we doing here?
“Where is 'here,' anyway? The fighting is up north. Those Red bastards are laughing their asses off, enjoying Paris while we keep digging holes in the ground.”
“Shut up Jess. You’re just lucky you’re not in some Russian prison camp. If we hadn't hitched a ride on that convoy we'd be digging holes for the Reds, eating rotten borscht. Just be glad you got those KRations, instead of some beet soup. I do like their vodka, though. Remember that night in Berlin when we snuck over to that Red outfit near the barn? Yeah, I do like their vodka. I wonder what made those guys attack us the way they did? That bunch sure seemed nice enough. I wonder what got into them?”
“They probably just wanted our KRations.”
“Shut up Jess.”
Dijon, France
July 12th, 1946
11:03 hours
NKVD OMSBON,
Operational Group Formidable
G.G. Karasev, Unit Commander
The following report is submitted:
2 July 1946
The advance continues with other elements of the division passing through CT 16, leaving the regiment to liquidate isolated enemy strongholds and snipers. Patrols encountered many of these strongholds and snipers. Contact was maintained on the left flank while other elements of the division remained in contact with the enemy to the south and on the right flank.
3 July 1946
Contact made with remnants of Free French forces near Herny. No casualties taken.
4 July 1946
Morville-sur-Neid
Multiple contacts with retreating Free French forces. One casualty taken. Commandeered four (4) Jeeps and other supplies from captured French forces.
5 July 1946
Puzieux
Stationary in wooded area all day while American forces moved through area. Believed to be members of the 158th Regimental Combat Team of the American Army. We appeared not to have been detected. Attempted to follow this unit after dark but lost contact due to heavy enemy patrols.
7 July 1946
Eulmont
Day was uneventful. Continued search for hostile units. None were observed.
8 July 1946
Allain
Captured one wounded American deserter. Interrogated him for four hours then eliminated the prisoner. He was from the former U.S. 77th Brigade confirmed destroyed on D+23. No useful information was obtained. However he did confess that he had been wounded by the father of the 13 year-old girl he was trying to rape.
9 July
Neufchateau
Heard heavy transports and observed large troop movements going south by southwest. Heavy American patrols blocked our way. Radio damaged not repairable. No report to command possible tonight.
10 July
Val-de-Muese
Captured three American medical personnel. They were assisting at a French orphanage northwest of town. They were from the 34th Evacuation Hospital. We left Rikhter behind to guard and assist the Americans. 25 children and 7 nuns are in need of lifesaving medical attention. I take full responsibility for this humanitarian effort.
11 July
Langres
Presently trapped in defensive positions near the church. Surprised by an American patrol while trying to secure a radio. Ammunition in short supply. Five casualties taken, including Comrade Karasev.
“What'cha got there Jess?”
“That commie I stuck was trying to hide it.”
“Let's get it to the Sarge...he'll know what to do with it.”
“Damn, he's still alive! Get one of those medics we rescued from the orphanage. Maybe they can do something for him.”
***
The US counter spy network in action as two of the Ulser’s Café group meet to discuss upcoming operations.
***
U.S.A.A.F. GHQ
The Pentagon,
Outside Washington, D.C.
July 11th, 1946
“It's all set. Four weeks from today we should have what we need in place. Two hundred-twenty four P-51D's, fifty-two B-29A's, a pair of Silverplates and one atomic bomb. The target will be Leningrad. Now that the Russkies have declared war on Finland we've reached a deal with the Swedes and Finns to allow transit, and the use of Swedish airfields to refuel the fighter-escorts, and as emergency-landing fields. We're sending in two Silverplates, but only one bomb will be dropped. The other will be along on a training run.”
“Sure seems to me that we should have a lot more pilots and planes ready by now.”
“The equipment is all mothballed as you pointed out, but the experienced pilots are thinking about how to use that G.I. Bill. They are reuniting with their sweethearts, getting to know their children, reconnecting with their wives and thinking about on-campus housing, or getting an apartment, which car to buy and so on. It's only been sixty days or so, since the Soviet attack. The vast majority of the experience pilots want nothing to do with this war. Let the other guy who stayed at home and tried to steal my girl, do the fighting this time. Let the jerk used car dealer, who stayed at home and made a fortune, and who got my sister pregnant, go over there this time. I did my part. Don't worry, they'll come around soon but for now we have to make do with what we've got.”
“Well, I'm glad that at least that damned pit is up and working. What a pain in the ass! To think that it takes a lot of specialized equipment, just to hoist a ten thousand-pound atomic bomb up into the belly of one of those modified B-29's. I guess they're building a few more around too. Top Secret, hush-hush, and all that as to where they're building them.”
“We only have four Mark III bombs and a couple of the prototypes. That's hardly enough to make a dent. I've been told that the prototypes might not even work. I guess they are really touchy, compared to the Mark III's.”
“What is holding up production?”
“It's the same story as with the combat veterans. All the scientists have moved on to civilian jobs and the production facilities have been abandoned or converted to civilian use. It's just going to take time to get them all back up and running at full capacity. It's kind of stran
ge...like Stalin knew just the right time to make his move. His timing was perfect.”
“The word is official...we will not be dropping any atomic bombs in Western Europe. I guess the philosophy is that we can't save 'em by killing 'em. Actually, it makes sense. I know I'd rather be Red than dead myself. Besides, we'll beat 'em in the end anyway, just like we always have. We'll just have to use more conventional means. Then when we get closer, within fighter-escort range, we'll start to melt their cities.”
“You know Bill, this raid should be a good test of how they'll respond. I hope someone is taking notes. Say, you'd better get off to your meeting. You got the target and the date...just make sure no other operation is planned anywhere near Leningrad.”
“It is about time I got back to work. Those Superior Tools don't sell themselves, you know. Say are you interested in a left-handed spanner? I do have to make a living, some way or the other.”
“Yeah, I'll take 1,400.”
***
The last of the NATO rear guard prepares to meet their captors and for life under occupation.
***
Combined French/Belgian/Dutch Territorial Command,
Temporary NATO Field Headquarters,
La Havre, France
July 13th, 1946
02:35
“That is the last of them, mon ami. Now, all that's left is for us to fade into the crowd.”
“No more noxious British cooking to smell. That part is fine with me. Are they not terrible cooks? Their idea of cooking meat is to boil it to death. My nostrils are still filled with the stench.”
“It is time for everybody to go back to your homes, and wait for the call to play partisan again, until we are rescued once more. Group A, pickup your papers at the north exit. Group B, at the south exit. Do not switch groups otherwise your paperwork will be useless. Go back to your homes and wait. Do what they tell you to do, but listen for the radio broadcasts from England. The governments-in-exile will be working vigorously to confuse the enemy. Just integrate yourselves into their society as much as possible.”