World War Three 1946 Series Boxed Set: Stalin Strikes First

by Harry Kellogg

  “When I awoke, there was utter silence. I could not even hear my heart beating. I thought I was dead. Then I opened my eyes and saw the hell that had befallen my farm. I fought in the Great War and spent much time in the trenches. It was like walking in a nightmare. I was transported back to no-man’s land once again. Nothing moved for miles. I will never forget the nightmare that my life has become.”

  ***

  Reports are numerous on this raid alone. Here are a few examples. The missiles were indeed improved copies of the German Wasserfall. These missiles were within months of being used by Hitler when the war ended. With the assistance of Sergo they are now in the hands of Stalin. They have been since renamed Stalin’s Fire.

  ***

  Report of Ground-to-Sky Missile Site #4

  Near Toulouse, France

  August 5th, 1946

  10:05 hours

  By General Georgi Malyshev, Commander of Ground-to-Sky Missile Regiment Number One

  Missile site was operational on 2 August, at 09:32 hours.

  At launch minus 3 hours, thirty V-3 (Wasserfal) missiles were installed. At launch minus 1 hour, the missiles' guidance systems were calibrated, and the missiles were prepared to receive their fuel. The operators were on duty starting on 3 August at 04:00 hours.

  Radar reported multiple targets in route from the west at 5,000 meters and a speed of 400 kph at 7:12 hours. The enemy formations were on time and on target just as we had been told to expect. As predicted they were of the B-32 and B-17 bomber-types.

  The skies were clear and visibility was unlimited.

  Missiles were launched in volleys of five in a dispersed pattern, and at fifteen-second intervals. This allowed the missile operators to follow their assigned missile, and choose their targets. Eight missiles were lost before the Columba system could take over flight control.

  The Columba system appeared to fail on nine units, and they passed harmlessly through the formation.

  Eight missiles performed as designed and were guided to their targets. Five more were partially successful, and damaged their targets.

  Without prior knowledge about the direction, time and altitude of the enemy bomber raid, our success rate would be far less. It takes hours to fuel the rockets, and they cannot stay on stand-by for days at a time. We also have to know the direction of the raid in order to send the missiles in the correct direction before the guidance system locates the bombers. If the missiles were initially launched in the wrong direction, the guidance system would not be able to see the targets in time.

  Additionally the knowledge of what type bomber the target is increased our hit rate, by a factor of one-hundred percent. Without this prior knowledge, we would have to set the proximity fuse to a different and not as accurate, setting.

  I must stress that the prior knowledge that we are receiving is crucial to what success we have with the V-3 Wasserfal. Without this knowledge I estimate our success rate would be less than ten percent.

  ***

  This is a very interesting report. There is a revelation by an unknown General near the end of the report about the formation of SAC. This would seem to be the first of many attempts to circumvent the spy apparatus of Lavrentiy Beria. It is similar to the shotgun approach later followed by the House Un-American Activities Committee but much more effective. It did seem to rule out the obvious candidates that other programs missed like William Perl, Victor Perlo, George Koval, Klaus Fuchs and Julius Rosenberg who all had obvious ties to Communism and Russia but never the less were able to carry out their missions.

  ***

  “Results Are In”

  Headquarters,

  U.S.A.A.F 8th Air Force,

  London

  August 5th, 1946

  16:23 hours

  “Gentlemen! Get your asses in here and listen up! What’s the short version Norm?”

  “Well sir, we accomplished our mission but with unacceptable losses.”

  “Give me the bad news first.”

  “We lost a total of one-hundred sixteen aircraft out of eight-hundred, most being bombers. Ninety-nine were shot down outright. Another twenty-six are damaged beyond repair. We lost twenty-seven fighters out of three-hundred. Another fifteen are write-offs. The most damaging part was that those damn missiles seemed to target our lead bombers. Almost every flight leader was targeted with many of them being hit. This appears to be a conscious effort by the Soviets to bring down the pathfinders and leadership of the raid. We estimated that approximately thirty ground to air missiles were fired, that only twelve or so actually hit anything. Still, they hit our flight leaders. Of the hundreds of air-to-air missiles fired by the medium bombers and a few heavy Pe-8's, again, a very small percentage hit, but what they hit was devastating to the raid's leadership.”

  “Is that it for the bad news?”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Alright. Let’s hear the good news then.”

  “We accomplished our mission. Despite being outnumbered and beset by those hellish directed missiles, Toulouse was heavily damaged; their supply depots, railroad rolling stock and switching yard are totally destroyed. As I said, the mission was accomplished. We also gave as good as we got. We estimate that out of 1,000 enemy fighters, medium bombers and the Pe-8's, approximately one-hundred fifty were shot down.”

  “Yes but at what cost? We can’t afford many more 'victories' like that. I guess we shouldn’t be surprised that they had unusually heavy antiair and fighter assets in the area. After all it is within spitting distance of the Pyrenees. I can’t say I’m looking forward to writing all those letters to the families of all those pilots and aircrew.”

  “I can’t say I envy you that part of your job.”

  “Thanks Bill. Gentleman, what else is on the agenda?”

  “Sir? If I may ask a question?”

  “Yes Bob. We’re all friends here.”

  “Why was this raid done with B-17's and not 29's? We had some of those shiny new B-32's out there, but there weren't enough of them to affect a different outcome. I would think that our losses would have been far fewer had we had the B-29's.”

  “That’s a good question Bob, and one that I really shouldn’t be answering in this meeting. But, what the hell there will be a formal announcement soon, so I’ll let my headquarters staff hear it first. There is a new component of the U.S. Army being formed. The strategic bombing arm of the Army Air Forces is being split-off into its own command and will become the Strategic Air Command. It will have the distinction of becoming the fourth autonomous command within the U.S. Army. That leaves the Army Air Forces with all its tactical air assets in place. For now fighter-bomber, interdiction, fighter sweeps, close air support, local air-superiority, and such, will stay with the Army Air Forces. Strategic bombing against the enemy’s infrastructure will be handled by the new Strategic Air Command, or S.A.C. They have been assigned the B-29 groups and most of the long-range fighter and jet aircraft for escorts. They will also soon be getting our B-32 groups as well, as soon as conversion from the B-24's are made. They are separating themselves; as we speak, and setting up shop in their new offices at the Pentagon. They are being highly selective in their personnel, and you may or may not be asked to join or to stay with the Army Air Forces. Much of this will depend on rather intrusive background checks from what I understand. Whether or not you are chosen depends upon what your neighbors, close friends, relatives, third-grade teacher and nanny have to say about you. It seems that this background check, and not your competence, will be the determining factor.”

  “That’s a lot to digest General; why the sudden decision?”

  “From what I understand it was felt that a fresh set of eyes and ears, as well as tight lips if you catch my drift, are needed to solve our strategic bombing problems. I caution every one of you…If any word of what I just said reaches anyone outside of this room, our military careers and possibly even our freedom and lives, will come to an utter and abrupt end. This is considered highly classi
fied and you ten guys are the only ones I trust with this information. This is not to be mentioned again until the official announcement is made. Unless you are being transferred to S.A.C., you will not be seeing action in the B-29. They will be using different facilities and supply chains, etcetera. It’s all designed to compartmentalize their operations and to keep loose lips from sinking...er...you get the picture.”

  “Are we being suspected of being commies sir?”

  “Well son, the top brass is not taking chances. We need to shut down all the damned the leaks, and we need to do it now. Our losses are unsustainable and way out of whack compared to the Brits. Something stinks to high-heaven and this will hopefully solve the problem. If you are not asked to join S.A.C., then I would consider talking to your nanny, and find out what she has been saying about you. That’s all, gentlemen. It's out of my hands. Good luck.”

  The Soviet Perspective

  “Come in and report Nikolai.”

  “Yes sir. Reports from the field say we shot down over one-hundred fifty bombers, and one-hundred eleven of NATO's fighters, comrade. Toulouse was destroyed, and the few remaining supplies and units were destroyed as well.”

  “Everything went well then?”

  “Yes comrade, our ground-to-sky missiles performed as expected. We were able to use the wire-guidance system to allow the missiles to close upon the lead bombers in each group, then, the internal system took over. Our hit ratio was not inspirational, but what they destroyed was highly significant; most of their lead bombers and pathfinders were destroyed.”

  “I have other reports Nikolai that have much lower figures of enemy aircraft destroyed, comrade. What do you say to that?”

  “I only have the reports from the pilots, antiaircraft guns and missile sites to base my report on sir.”

  “Ha! Those reports are always too large. Well the main point of the plan was to let the bombers destroy what they think are tons of supplies, and to demonstrate that we can cover every little insignificant area with our missiles and fighters as well as antiaircraft fire.”

  “Again sir; the majority of the enemy’s losses were accomplished by our brave fighter pilots. The missile units were more of a scalpel, aimed at the leadership of the bomber forces. If you hit the head, the body will follow, as our boxing instructor always told us.”

  “Enough of your babble, Nikolai; I saw from my vantage point some pretty large explosions. What exactly, did we leave behind to cause such fireworks?”

  “Strategically-placed gasoline barrels, worn-out tires and worn-out equipment; much like the movies, comrade. Much of it was for show. Lots of explosions and smoke designed to convince the enemy that they had done their job. The men left behind were from the penal battalions, and there were local civilians present as well, so there will be bodies for their spies to observe. The power of the pattern-bombing is a sight to behold. I’m glad it was not done on one of our frontline units. Casualties were high among the penal battalions and civilians. Why sir, did we not just evacuate the whole area, and emplace more antiaircraft units, to shoot down more bombers?”

  “We did not want to show them our plan. We had to make it appear as though all the antiaircraft and fighter units were there normal and that they can expect this kind of opposition wherever they try to bomb. There is a story about Winston Churchill doing the same thing. He is said to have known about a raid by the Germans, but he didn’t want to put his spies at risk, so he let tens of thousands of his fellow countrymen die in a massive bombing raid. It is only rumor, but I think it is true myself. Maybe the French will start to get angry at NATO for bombing all their cities. I read a report that over 20,000 French civilians were killed in the bombing and shelling before their D-Day; amazing that they still fight us.”[xxxii]

  “…I have some terrible news, Comrade Marshal... A stray bomber let his bombs go off target, and we believe that they hit the Ground Missile Site. Sir, I’m sorry to inform you that your son was killed, along with Maior Shumilov. I grieve for the loss of you son, and I know the Maior was a close friend, as well, sir; my condolences.”

  “Ah, Nikolai...very distressing news, indeed...please; leave me for a while...”

  “Of course, Comrade Marshal...of course.”

  ***

  We find out from this submission, that things are not what they seem in Italy.

  ***

  Italian Battleship Giulio Cesare

  Marina Militare base

  Augusta, Sicily

  August 15th, 1946

  “Excuse me, Ammiraglio. We have received a telegram from Rome. The Russian replacement crew will be arriving tomorrow night. The transfer date is still the same.”

  “Accordingly, we are still required to turn our ship over to the Russians on the 25th, and I am ordered to retire the next day. The Russians have demanded all senior officers that served during the fascist era be removed. Did we ever find out what happened to the first group Lieutenant?”

  “Si, Ammiraglio. The wreckage of an aircraft matching the type they were on was found by a fishing boat four days ago.”

  “NATO?”

  “We believe so sir. The NATO blockade is finally starting to tighten. But there wasn’t really enough wreckage recovered to be sure.”

  “What is that? Are those aircraft?”

  “Yes sir. They are NATO reconnaissance aircraft out of Malta. They've made regular daily overflights of most of our naval bases. They also have picket submarines and destroyers patrolling to make sure none of our combat ships leave port.”

  “But they allow the fishing ships to leave?”

  “Yes sir. NATO has made it clear that they did not want our people to suffer.”

  “What a noble statement and yet, they cut off the food shipments from the United Nations Refugee Relief Agency.”

  “That is true sir, but they've also cut the UNRRA food aid to the Yugoslavians. While we will get thinner this winter, the Yugoslavs are now starving.”

  “Good, let those bastardi starve. Take Trieste will they? We will not soon forget that insult.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two: Decisions

  Marshal Maslennikov

  ***

  This was a scene caught on film by a professional movie maker shooting a scene from a rousing Communist propaganda movie; that everyone has since forgotten. Lip readers were able to determine what was said and later discovered what was thought by both.

  ***

  The Boxer

  Gorky Park

  Bench #287

  August 16th, 1946

  The leaves are starting to turn colors, and the air is full of the smells of fall. Two lone figures sit on the bench, engaged in animated conversation. It is clear from their manner that this conversation is not intended to be overheard. Not far away plain-clothes agents of the NKVD stand watch, keeping roving eyes and ears out of range.

  One of the debaters is a big man, with big features. You would have no trouble seeing the former heavyweight boxer he once was. He is not a figure who blends in well in a crowd. He is also not the type of person that you can ignore. Yet, his advice is being ignored.

  By contrast the other is a weasel of a man. Small close-set eyes and fast movements, with extreme hand gestures that distract most people from listening to what he has to say. Over the years he has climbed his way through the Communist Party leadership. What he lacks in physical stature, he more than compensates for in political prowess. He is not a man who can be easily intimidated anymore.

  Both men are wary of each other, like the boxer that one once was and the political animal that the other has become, and whose skills he has mastered. To most ears the conversation would not make much sense, yet the outcome would have major consequences for the outcome of the Third World War. In the end, both are just making educated guesses. It is a roll of the dice, as to whom history will judge in what role; one will be known as a military genius and the other, one of the greatest fools of all time.

  If the dice rolls one way, the po
int of view of the Boxer will look as if he possessed a crystal ball; if the dice rolls the other way, his name will be lost to the vagaries of history, and his logic will never see the light of day. The same is true for the Weasel. If his number is rolled he will be hailed as the greatest military mind of the Third World War. If his number fails to be rolled, he will be looked at as the Maurice Gamelin of this war: A General who used old ideas, to fight a new war.

  But what are these new realities? Whose vision will turn out to be brilliant? Whose will turn out to have the same effect as General Gamelin’s? If the right choices are made, recent developments by Sergo Peshkov and his team will win the war for Stalin. If the wrong choices are made, it doesn’t matter how many breakthroughs or new weapons systems are developed.

  The Boxer lives in a world of simple rules and logic. You need certain basic necessities to run a modern military. The Weasel lives in a world of politics, where ideas matter more than logic; where the human mind is more important than any physical reality. If you think you are defeated, then you are.

  Both viewpoints have won wars in the past. And both have also lost wars in the past. Once again, a choice must be made.

  ***

  Witnesses tell us of this stormy moment in the leadership of the VVS.

  ***

  Mistakes are made

  Transcaucasia Front Headquarters

  Tblisi, Georgian S.S.R.

  August 18th, 1946

  An imposing figure; Marshal Maslennikov, in full-dress uniform, storms around his office in a fit of rage, emptying desktops of their contents with a sweep of his arm. Papers flew through the air seeming to flee his wrath. Objects slammed against the walls, some breaking, leaving shards of once-priceless porcelain and ceramic littering the floor. His aide is the only reluctant witness, to what can only be called a tantrum and tries to stay out of the way. The Marshal utters not a word or a sound as he systematically destroys his office in an orgy of violence.