World War Three 1946 Series Boxed Set: Stalin Strikes First

by Harry Kellogg

  “Corps-General Primieri: Field Marshal, I object to this ridiculous plan! I would encourage you to relieve, at once, all the officers that have wasted our time with this pointless idiocy. It is correct that we are tired of war, but we are prepared to defend our homeland to the death. My God, Field-Marshal, they can only deploy in single brigade-columns in that pass! Should we fail in the passes we have prepared to fall back to the first of five major defensive lines. Those lines can be held forever, given our command of the sea. But those lines will not be needed Field-Marshal, if only NATO will help us. We need at least ten infantry divisions, and two armored divisions to help us defeat the Yugoslavs. We need air units to defend our airspace. Why Field-Marshal, can NATO provide fighters to defend Sicily, but there are none to defend Rome? We need the same sort of Allied Lend-Lease support that is being given to your nation, the Norwegians and the Spanish.”

  Field-Marshal Montgomery: “Sir I understand your passion, but the decision has been made at the highest levels. No more NATO troops will be sent to Italy. The risk is simply too great, for such an uncertain gamble.”

  Corps-General Primieri: “Field-Marshal, please...”

  Field-Marshal Montgomery: “General; that is quite enough! It has been decided, and the issue is now closed. General Roberts, please continue.”

  Ambassador Ruggero Grieco: “I have had enough of these insults. Did you really think we did not notice the words you used, 'agreed upon by all the parties that matter'? Do we not matter? We have not agreed to this surrender. We have prepared an alternate defense plan, which we know will work. But you refuse to listen. We have the third-largest navy in NATO! We have to third-largest army in NATO! You are willing to risk NATO troops by the thousands, defending Franco’s rabid fascisti, but nothing for Italy, for we are too much of a risk. Well, Field-Marshal, we refuse to accept this insult. As you know, it was the Kingdom of Italy that signed the NATO treaty, a nation that no longer exists. We are the now the Republic of Italy, and we see no value in remaining in an organization with allies that refuse to help us. I can now tell you that we have had talks, through the Italian Communist Party with Moscow for the last month or so. They warned us that you would refuse to live up to your end of our agreement. The Russians have offered us a generous peace without occupation.. I have been instructed to inform you that as of midnight, London time, the Republic of Italy formally withdraws from the NATO alliance. Good day, gentlemen.”

  Chapter 19:

  Other Fronts

  Italian Communist Party

  ***

  The debate starts among the strategists on just how to proceed now that the atomic bomb is off the table.

  ***

  U.S.A.A.F. 8th Air Force Headquarters

  London, The U.K.

  August 1st 1946

  Huge maps of all of Europe and the western U.S.S.R. cover the walls and huge tabletops. The W.A.C.'s are pushing the markers with their hooked end sticks in much the way a Roulette croupier takes your hard-earned cash; a scene familiar to all who have watched a movie on Second World War British air operations.

  Two officers are engaged in a heated debate.

  “Let’s take this into my office shall we? Alright now settle down, and tell me what this is all about.”

  “It’s just that we don’t know who we can trust, and bringing the Brits on this will only broaden the possible leaks. You know full well how screwed up the Leningrad raid was with all those wild stories about guided missiles and such going around. Absolutely ridiculous! Now you want us to let them fly along and include them on the Toulouse raid? It just doesn’t make any sense sir, not at this late date.”

  “Listen to me, and listen good. We have to be nice with them or they will get their nose out of joint. It’s only four days until the attack, what can they do to mess it up? They are only asking to include some recon flights with movie-camera operators to catch the whole raid from start to finish. You never know, they might just gain some useful knowledge. I’ve heard they will be taking shots of everything, from soup to nuts. Besides they already know all about our plans, anyway.”

  “It’s just a pain in the ass to have to inform them of all the details.”

  “If we expect them to hang in there and stay without fighting the second Battle of Britain, we have learn to work together again and to trust one another. Say, have you seen those photos of the Russian rocket sites popping up all over the place? Amazing how fast they have been able to produce all those supposed ground-to-air missiles; quite fishy, if you ask me. Our intelligence says their industrial capacity is not up to the task, yet, here they are.”

  “You don’t actually believe that nonsense about them having guided missiles do you General? How could they possibly …”

  “The Germans had a missile called the 'Wasserfall', that was said to be almost operational. Albert Speer was most adamant on their ability to stop our bombers cold, if he had been allowed to produce them, but Hitler wanted more offensive-minded weapons, and pretty much stopped the program. The Red Army overran their staging area, near the end of the war. We’ve been assured by our wizards that they can jam anything the Soviets can shoot at us. Besides, how could they have them near Toulouse, in time for our raid?” [xxix]

  “How many Brits are we expected to have along with us, sir?”

  “They want a full flight of recon aircraft to document our, er, progress. Good luck, and put on a good show for the Limeys. Show 'em how to kick some Red ass.”[xxx]

  ***

  Another personal account of combat.

  ***

  8th FIGHTER SQUADRON,

  49TH FIGHTER GROUP

  U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES

  Aug. 2, 1946

  INDIVIDUAL COMBAT REPORT OF 1/Lt Richard Gardner

  A. Mission No. 633, August 1, 1946, 8th Fighter Squadron, 9 P-80's

  B. Combat Air Patrol, Break-Heart Pass, Pyrenees Line

  C. Time of attack: 0730/K

  Altitude: 8,000 to 10,000 feet

  D. I was element leader in White flight, and as we took off at 0615/K radar picked up inbound aircraft. We circled at 15,000 feet over the pass until we were vectored to the targets. At 0730/K, we intercepted five Yaks of the 15 jet-type. We were above them at 8 o'clock. Two of them climbed on me, and I dove to make a head on pass. I was hit by a cannon shell that passed right through my left aileron. I pulled up and climbed to 8,000 feet, making a 45-degree head-on pass at two more Yaks with no observed results. Shot once at another on 90-degrees deflection, and missed. I found myself on the tail of a lone Yak-15, who appeared to be unaware of my location. I made a 45-degree deflection shot from the rear and above, until he turned almost into me. It was a long burst and he slid off on one wing, and crashed into the mountain, east of the pass.

  Two more Yaks chased me, as I started for home. They finally gave up, because they couldn't catch me. I left the area at 0925/K, and joining up with the remainder of my flight, we all flew home, landing at 0955/K.

  E. I claim one Yak-15 destroyed confirmed by wingman, 1/Lt John Glass.

  Richard Gardner

  1/Lt, U.S.A.A.F.

  ***

  “There, done with that one. Man, I hate typing those things up.”

  “Well, at least you have something to type about. Those Yaks are hard to hit. We’re faster and can climb better, but man, you just can’t turn with 'em. Kind of like the Jap Zero. Say, did you notice that those fighters today had more power than the earlier ones we encountered?”

  “Yeah, I did notice it was a little harder to lose those two on my tail. Oh, and by the way, don’t go head-to-head with them. Jeez, those 30-mm's put a big hole in my wing! I guess their improving them just like we’re improving our Shooting Stars. We have to keep one step ahead of them, or they'll be able to both outturn us and catch us and that ain’t a good thing. This ain’t like it was when we were fighting the Jerries Jack. It’s just not the same. You could count on one hand when you were outnumbered with them. Shoot, with this bunc
h, it’s a fifty-fifty crap-shoot. Man, they have as many planes as we do. Luckily, we’re better at flying, but you can’t let up for an instant out there. It’s getting on my nerves. I’m having these dreams and…I…”

  “Hey, hey, that’s ok… it’s only natural. Listen, we’ll be shipping out soon and you’ll get some real R&R then. Come on Dick, just think of those babes in…wherever it is we’re going to. They’ll throw themselves at you; you being an Ace and all. Come on, let’s get a beer and forget about it.”

  “It’s hard Jack. Three months ago, I was starting school. I was a college freshman. I was going to be an engineer and then, they pulled me back into this hellhole. I just got to know my wife again, and my son was starting to play ball. Goddamned commies! I just want to...”

  “Say come on, and look at my sketches for my new nose art. See here...it’s that new dame, Doris Day. Now, she’s a real sweetheart. I hope she brings me good luck. But we won’t need it soon. Listen Dick don’t worry. Soon, all those new boys will be able to take over. Hell, I hear we’re going to be replaced by Spanish kids. They got bigger plans for us. In the meantime we’ll be living the high life, with not a care in the world. Come on, whaddaya say? Let’s get that beer.”

  ***

  Beria’s seemingly omnipotent predictions begin to show inaccuracies.

  ***

  Gorky Park

  Bench #346

  August 3rd, 1946

  “Great weather we are having Dimi, but I have some trouble on my mind. We have some singularly strange reports coming out of the U.S. According to some of our best agents the Americans are having trouble producing their new planes. Other agents are reporting that they are falling short in their recruiting efforts. It’s all devilishly strange comrade. They should be able to start right back up where they left off. In fact, most of the other agents say just the opposite yet, where are all their reinforcements? Where are the new units that they are expected to field against us? Instead more and more Spanish and old soldiers from the defeated Western Europe countries are manning the lines, and the Yankee dogs appear to be pulling out of line slowly, according to our frontline troops.”

  “Da, they are hugely disappointed when they kill a poor Spaniard, instead of a wealthy Yankee. I don’t know what to tell you, comrade. All I can say is; that I’m glad I’m not the one that will be meeting Maior Yegorov, to try and explain what you have heard. You have to figure out a way for him to make the decision of who is telling the truth and who is being misled. I know the commissars will say it is their 'preaching' to the masses that are affecting the workers of America. They will take the credit for their articles in Pravda and Izvestiya. I’m sure all the Americans read it from front to back every day.”

  “Ha! Even I don’t believe their crap! Why would a bunch of capitalist pigs do so? Just look at what the French have, compared to us. Imagine what the Americans must have. Ah, Dimi it will not be a good meeting. I think I will have to buy some better vodka and hope for the best. Yegorov loves his vodka.”

  ***

  One more clever way that Beria and his agents have devised to get a glance at the inner workings of NATO.

  ***

  “A safe house in Toronto, Canada”

  “How is Operation 'Spy Glass' going Dave?”

  “From what I understand it's pretty hit-or-miss. But it provides checks and balances and more importantly it gives us the latest data we can get. Ironically, it works best when the guards come to check on the room. They turn the lights on and walk around; making sure no one or nothing is in the room. Our view is unobstructed for a good five minutes with good light. Our luck extends even further.”

  “And why is that?”

  “The cleaning lady keeps the room spotless including the light fixture. There's no dust buildup whatsoever and we get clean shots almost every time.”

  “Ha, so her diligence gives us one of our most accurate sources and condemns thousands of her countrymen to their deaths. Exactly how was this way of peeking at what the Americans are doing discovered anyway?”

  “Quite by an amazing accident; it was an amateur astronomer who happened to be the night guard in the Washington Monument. He was allowed to keep his telescope in the storeroom and his supervisor let him stargaze from the monument at night on his time off. Quite innocent, really; one day he was fixing something on the telescope when as it was pointed at the White House he happened to catch some movement. When he focused in he saw that he was looking through a gap in the top of the window dressing and at a reflection off a light fixture, it gave him a great view of the map table and one of the walls in the map room of the President. He came down immediately and told his supervisor. His supervisor assured him that it would be taken care of. That night the poor fellow had a terrible accident when he tripped in front of a speeding car that did not stop, and killed him instantly and just drove on. A hit-and-run, as they say.”

  “Ha… I get it; and the Supervisor is agent Monty, of course. No wonder he has such good information. That is truly a piece of good luck and truly amazing. But how long can this last? We can’t count on the maid always being so diligent, or something being moved.”

  “Its loss would be most regrettable, but we have dozens of other minor ways to find out where and when the air raids are going to be staged. This is just one piece of the puzzle. Maior Nikitin and his staff, gather all the information and put the pieces together. There have been remarkably few raids, so it has been easy. We have been able to intercept them and defend the targets, as you know. All of the major raids are discussed by the White House Staff. From what I understand there are at least twenty-three well-placed janitors, maids, cooks, and such, who funnel the information through Monty, and he has the radio.”

  “Well, so far, it has worked. As they say, 'one can’t jump over one’s head.' We have to do our best and keep all the information flowing to Monty and Maior Nikitin. That is how we will keep the Motherland safe from enemy atomic bombs. They are surely the work of the devil, even if there is no devil.”

  ***

  The inner workings of the Kremlin on display.

  ***

  Have No Interest

  “I have no interest in boats and navies. The guidance system is designed for shooting down bombers over friendly territory. If one of the missiles got into the enemy's hands, they might just be able to figure out how to counteract the system and that would be catastrophic. Comrade Stalin knows this and has assured me that this warhead will only be used in territories that can be controlled by us. It is too risky, I tell you, to have this technology fall into the enemy's hands. No, I won’t allow it.”

  “Friend Sergo, we need your guidance system to use with our air-launched V-1 program. If we could guide those missiles, imagine how much havoc they could wreak on the capitalist navies! Why, we could keep them a hundred miles from our shores...”

  “What shores? We have none to speak of. It is a ridiculous suggestion and not worth the effort or the chance. We are a land power, not a naval one. Let the NATO pigs have their oceans. We have no need of them. “

  “But, what if they get into the Black Sea; or into the Baltic? Then, what will you say? Would you deny us such a weapon one that we can use to stop an invasion on Soviet soil? I would be warned, Sergo Peshkov. I would at least prepare for the eventual use of your guidance system against naval forces. I think Comrade Stalin would agree with me on this point...no?”

  “Well alright, Novikov. I will see that a test program is started, and yes, I have no doubt that the system will work on boats as well as bombers it was actually designed to work on boats. But again, I caution that we cannot use these warheads over enemy territory, or anywhere else they may be compromised, and on that, Comrade Stalin will agree with me, I assure you. We have a new trick by the way. We’ve added some false radio and radar signals. The bombers will be so busy trying to sort things out that the true nature of the guidance will not be discovered.”

  “You are exceptionally pro
ud of yourself aren’t you, Sergo? I would be careful that you do not dislocate your arm trying to pat yourself on the back. We should hear about the attack on Toulouse soon, and then maybe, I will reach over and pat your back for you, Sergo.”

  ***

  'The Ruling Seven’; as they sometimes are referred to, met as they always did, when Stalin was not in Moscow. Stalin was having one of his many 'attacks,'

  but still ruled with an iron hand. Yet, he left the day-to-day operation

  of the U.S.S.R. up to the oligarchy, that was the made up of these seven extraordinarily ruthless men. By order of Stalin, they had just seen the movie 'Volga! Volga!,' again, for the forty-seventh time, by their count. It wasn’t the same, without Stalin acting out all the parts, and that was the best part of the evening, thus far. After dinner, the conversation turns to America, and it’s seemingly lack of military response.

  ***

  Meeting Molotov

  The Kremlin

  Lavrenti Beria, Georgi Malenkov, Andrei Zhdanov, Nikolai Voznesensky, Nikita Khrushchev, Aleksei Kuznetsov, Anastas Mikoyan, Lazar Kaganovich