While Rome Was Sleeping
M.S. Forsythe
This novel is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents either are the product of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
While Rome Was Sleeping
Copyright © 2008 M.S. Forsythe (Viall, Witzel)
ISBN 0-9816682-0-8
Acknowledgements
Most of the research for this book and documentation came from a variety of sources. We have relied heavily on friends in government, military resources and personal experiences. We particularly wish to thank those who have supported, mentored and encouraged us through this three-year process. Thee are but a few: our newspaper friends, Joel Connelly of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Mike Benbow, Business Editor, Everett Herald, Jim Haley and Robert Frank of the Everett Herald, and Jim Larsen, Whidbey News Times.
We also thank Linda McNamara, Mary Robertson, Henry Savalza, Commader Sherman Black, USN (Ret, deceased 2006) and Rear Admiral Lyle Bull, USN (Ret).
To all the men and women who survived the
war in Vietnam
With special regard and appreciation for those who were Prisoners of War and returned, and the families of the MIA’s who did not.
Operation Redwing
Moscow, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
November 15, 1968
Soviet Air Force Lieutenant General Pyotr Chernakov was very familiar with the war in Indochina. He should be. As an advisor to North Vietnam, he had spent time there as well as Laos, Thailand and Cambodia. He also had an intimate knowledge of the secret prison system maintained by North Vietnam as well as NVA Prisoner of War camps in Laos and China close to the North Vietnam border.
He had been called upon to oversee the transfer of some of the U.S. prisoners to an interrogation center in Vinh Phu Province in North Vietnam, run by Vietnamese, Soviet and Chinese officials and to two other camps in China; one in Kwangsi Province, the other in Yunnan Province.
Now he would be given a new assignment. One he was told, that could be politically delicate. Regardless, he would welcome the change.
✽✽✽
This night General Pyotr Chernakov stood before the mirror in his bedroom. His blue Soviet Air Force uniform was immaculate and fit him perfectly. As usual Chernakov strived to look his best. He carried himself well at 6ft and 180 pounds. He smoothed his sandy hair, noticing some silver strands beginning to show. “I’m not yet 40,” he told himself, “not old enough for this stuff in my hair.” He smiled as he thought of what Valeri would say had she heard her husband make such a vain remark. How he missed her. His clear gray eyes looked back at him, revealing none of his thoughts.
Tonight he would meet with Colonel Yuri Karpov, head of the Soviet Military Intelligence (GRU). Over dinner they would discuss Chernakov’s next assignment.
Satisfied with his appearance, he placed his hat on his head and turned away from the mirror, with his coat over his arm he left the apartment, carefully closing and locking the door.
He arrived at Moscow’s best restaurant about the same time as Karpov. He watched as the short rotund KGB Colonel exited a black Mercedes and nodded to the driver.
Yuri Karpov was 45 and built like a Soviet tank. His appearance belied a physical strength that easily eliminated unsuspecting opponents when the need required him to do so.
A shock of white hair was what people first noticed about him. Watery brown eyes behind black rimmed glasses did not reveal the volatile personality waiting just below the surface. Highly intelligent, Karpov also had an almost psychic intuition; a trait that coupled with his intellect made him an excellent head of the GRU and an extremely dangerous adversary.
“Promptness is a virtue,” the KGB Colonel told Chernakov as the two men greeted each other.
Karpov ordered wine and while waiting for their food, Yuri leaned back and smiled showing a few stainless steel caps as he swirled the red liquid in the glass before sipping it. “I do enjoy my trips to Paris. The French comrades make a splendid beverage among other things... don’t you agree, Chernakov?”
“I’m afraid my trips to Paris have been of a more urgent nature, Comrade. There was no time or opportunity to indulge in social pleasures.” Realizing this might seem like a criticism, Chernakov quickly added, “However, I do enjoy the French Champagne very much.”
Karpov seemed not to notice as he savored the wine and then looking at Chernakov, his smile was replaced by a more serious countenance, “I will get right to the point, Comrade General, this meeting is to discuss an important assignment that will take you again to Hanoi. You will be making an official visit to take charge of equipment that is now in the hands of our North Vietnamese comrades. This material was taken from a Tactical Air Navigation Station on Phou Pha Thi, the former American CIA Site 85 in Laos.”
Karpov went on, “There is much sensitive equipment from that site that our Vietnamese comrades have captured or I should say, rescued, from the mountain. Some of it has been damaged, but not so severely that it will be of no use.
“Also Chernakov, we have access to two cockpit sections of an F-111 American combat plane. One of our aircraft engineering experts will meet you in Hanoi to assist in evaluating and securing all of this equipment. It is imperative, Comrade, that it is placed in the hands of the Soviet Socialist Republic.” Yuri leaned forward across the table looking intently into Pyotr’s eyes. “You understand, Chernakov?”
“Yes, Karpov, I do understand and I look forward to obtaining the equipment for our government. It should tell us much,” Chernakov responded.
The KGB Colonel continued, “Keep in mind that you have been especially chosen for this assignment by the Defense Ministry. It is vital to us that you do not fail.”
Chernakov was surprised. “I assure you I will do my best, but may I ask,” he went on, “why they chose me for this task?”
Karpov smiled, “I personally recommended you; I know your background quite thoroughly. Nothing in your life is hidden from us, you know. Your qualifications are perfect for this assignment. “Yes,” he reiterated with a self satisfied smile, “I personally recommended you.”
“Indeed,” Chernakov commented. “What qualifications do you and the Party believe will enable me to negotiate for, and collect this equipment out of the hands of the comrades in Hanoi? After all, Karpov, I am not trained as a diplomat. And I do not believe that our North Vietnamese comrades or the comrades in Bejing will easily surrender such valuable materials to us.”
“Come now, General, you are far too modest. Your capabilities are well known. Brezhnev himself recommended you after reviewing your action in Nanning earlier this year. Your background and training serve you well,” Yuri answered. “You graduated from Voroshilov Academy with an excellent record. In past assignments you have shown yourself to be a quick thinker and you have masterfully handled several tense situations as in Nanning.
“Your education in aerospace and engineering further enables you; and we know you speak Chinese, Vietnamese, English, Spanish and French fluently... a vital asset for dealing with our comrades in other cultures.”
“I am flattered you think so highly of my capabilities,” Pyotr said simply.
“I also know your personal history,” Yuri went on. “You have excelled in the Party and proven yourself in spite of the mistakes of your father. You have been a widower for nearly a year. You were married for 10 years; your charming wife, Valeri, died last year of complications from pneumonia.”
A sense of deep sadness came over Chernakov. “Yes,” he said quietly, “I do so miss Valeri. She was a great companion
and much help to me. She was also a loyal Party member.”
“Yes,” agreed Yuri, “she was. We also know the background of Comrade Valeri.
“But now, let us get back to your mission; it may be difficult, but the interests of the Soviet Republic must always come ahead of the wishes of our comrades in Hanoi and Bejing. The American technology must be finally placed in our hands.”
“Yes, I agree Colonel, and I will learn all that I can about the technology at the CIA Site before I leave,” Chernakov stated.
Nodding in appreciation, Karpov added, “You will be briefed and given documents detailing what is expected of you and of our comrades in Vietnam. You will go again to Kwangsi Province first, to interview some American prisoners. We are told there are the several technicians that were captured from Phou Pha Thi and have been transferred to Nanning. Whatever information you can gather there will be helpful before you meet with our Vietnamese comrades in Hanoi.”
Karpov paused, rubbing his hands together and reiterated, “This assignment is crucial, it needs special diplomacy.”
Chernakov bent toward Karpov and spoke quietly, “Comrade, as you say, I have visited the Prison camp at Nanning on two occasions prior to the event of last January. And I fully understand the urgency of this assignment, but you and the Party must know that if General Yang is still the Commandant at Nanning it will take more than diplomacy to gain access to the prisoners and to acquire the information we seek.”
Chernakov continued, “You may recall, Colonel Karpov, it was Yang who incarcerated our two technicians. And while I did not openly threaten him, I was forced to insinuate ultimate diplomatic pressure to accomplish their release. I do not expect a congenial welcome from Yang. “In light of our present problems with Bejing perhaps you and the Central Committee should consider someone else for such an important undertaking.”
Karpov leaned across the table and said, “We do not consider Yang to be a significant problem, General. He is Mongolian and is naturally hostile to us. He is in no position to get in the way of our objective in this. We are well aware of Yang’s political aspirations, however he over-stepped his authority and caused Bejing much embarrassment when he arrested our two Technical Advisors.
“We were in delicate discussions with the Chinese government when word came to Moscow of the details of their arrest. I believe Yang will cooperate fully.
“Know this, Chernakov; you are to use whatever Soviet diplomatic strength necessary to accomplish this mission.”
Chernakov nodded, “Very well, Comrade, I understand.”
“It is getting late,” Yuri said, “And I must be going.”
“Yes, I too,” Chernakov agreed. “You have given me much to think about.”
Karpov looked at him. “Good. You will have two weeks to prepare.”
On his way home, Chernakov was lost in his own thoughts. However, as always he observed he was being followed. “Ah,” he remarked quietly to himself, “always the watchful KGB.”
✽✽✽
At home as he sat in his favorite chair pondering the evening, Chernakov had mixed feelings. This assignment could further delay what had been his and Valeri’s dream of freedom, but this was a mission to his liking; one that his knowledge and training had prepared him for.
There had been no contact with the Americans since the note of condolences had arrived regarding Valeri’s death, from Ambassador Harding. Chernakov had waited realizing that every precaution would be taken not to endanger him. Yet waiting was unnerving, and now this assignment would take him away from Moscow again and for how long he didn’t know.
✽✽✽
The governmental regime that spied on its people and harshly punished dissidents was at odds with everything that Chernakov stood for as a soldier. The country that he loved and served so passionately no longer existed; perhaps it had existed only in his mind.
With sadness he remembered his parents. They had a deep faith though they did not openly speak of it. His father was a writer and University teacher who had periodically been critical of the ruthless inflexibility of the Communist State.
As a student who believed in the infallibility of Communism, Pyotr had often argued with his father about the importance of supporting the goals of the Soviet Union. His father attempted to persuade Pyotr that although he deeply loved his country, he believed that it was morally wrong for any government to control all expression of speech and thought, and that one day his son would come to realize it as well.
Not long after their last disagreement, the KGB arrested his father. Returning home from school, his frightened mother told him what had transpired. He never saw his father again. His mother died a year later.
Young Pyotr Chernakov was determined to prove his loyalty to the State and excel at every level for his country; and so he did, graduating with honors from Soviet Air Force Academy and becoming a military fighter pilot.
Chernakov volunteered and was selected for the Soviet Cosmonaut program. A dream that was short-lived; a year into the program, he was afflicted by a strange illness that affected his ears and equilibrium. By the time he had recovered, Yuri Gagarin had moved into his slot and would eventually become the first man to orbit the earth in 1961.
Chernakov’s Air Force as well as his political career continued to rise as he openly promoted the Soviet Space Program. He viewed the ‘first man in space’ position as a golden opportunity to compete with the West for the hearts and minds of aspiring young people throughout the USSR and Europe.
His marriage to lovely Valeri Reshenko, daughter of aircraft designer Ilyich Reshenko was noted with approval by the Party.
It was no surprise that his entry and excellent performance at Command and Staff, Voroshilov Academy, was also favorably noted by forward thinking government and military leaders who watched Pyotr Chernakov’s rise in the military and the Party with interest; he would go far.
✽✽✽
The mid nineteen sixties found the Soviet Union reluctantly escalating its involvement in the war in Indochina, supplying more materiel, and adding aircraft and personnel.
As an Advisor to North Vietnam, Chernakov learned that much of his classic military education had not prepared him for the type of warfare being waged in the jungles of North and South Vietnam. He had learned a great deal in a short time, flying fighter aircraft over North Vietnam, and he now directed Soviet technical advisors and air crews to Laos at Sam Neua and at Phong Savan Airfield near Khang Khay.
The handling of the captured American and South Vietnamese prisoners by the North Vietnamese troubled the Soviet officer. It was evident that many of the prisoners were being handled differently. Some were jointly processed for political ‘reeducating’; others were dealt with more severely by the NVA, often for propaganda purposes. After American bombings, many were marched through villages that had experienced the horrific attacks and later through the streets of Hanoi for the people to abuse or intimidate. Still others were considered valuable for information purposes. These were often tortured, isolated and segregated for dispersion to other locations.
He himself had participated in arranging for some of the American prisoners to be transported to holding camps in China prior to being sent to the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. There they would be dispersed to forced labor camps in Siberia along with philosophical dissidents of the Soviet Union. Others were sent to mental hospitals where the mind would be destroyed by chemicals in seeking information.
He knew this was a use of enemy prisoners that disallowed the possibility of exchange at a future time when hostilities would end.
Now promoted to Major General, Chernakov had finally had enough and when he returned to Moscow he and Valeri began to make plans.
Tonight Karpov had thought he was so clever congratulating himself on his knowledge of Chernakov’s life. Pyotr mused, what he had not discovered was a most important secret, that he and Valeri had found a faith in God and that they had planned for some time to defect. He
had also found out that defecting is not so easy. One must have a fail-proof plan or they could end up in Siberia or be executed.
Not only must there be a plan, but they must be ready to act on whatever opportunities may appear suddenly. He remembered the occasion, when the first step had been taken a little more than a year before. ….
September 6, 1967
The theatre party following the season opening of the Bolshoi Ballet was very glitzy for Moscow. Chernakov and Valeri had been officially invited to attend by KGB Colonel Yuri Karpov. By this time Chernakov was an internationally well known military figure. Well regarded even by enemies of the Soviet, his courage and skill was touted among military leaders in Europe and the United States.
Karpov was fond of his own powerful role in the Party and when it became known that the American Ambassador, Joseph Harding would be attending the ballet as well, he perceived it as good public relations to be in the company of the noted Soviet general.
Chernakov was also aware that the American Ambassador would be attending. He had prepared a message and carefully folded it into his handkerchief. It might be the chance that he and Valeri had prayed for. He had to be ready.
Almost immediately upon their arrival at the party following the performance, he and Valeri were guided by Colonel Karpov who remained very close to them introducing them, making certain they were seen as his willing companions.
Karpov liked women. His eyes made no secret of his admiration of the young attractive dancers. His overly solicitous attentiveness to her made Valeri feel uncomfortable and she tried not to be alone with him for more than a few minutes.
After what seemed like an eternity to Valeri, Karpov’s thirst got the better of him and he left their side momentarily to get a glass of champagne. As Pyotr looked around at the expensive jewelry and furs worn by the wives and ‘friends’ of the Party bosses he said quietly to Valeri, “Communism has its rewards, does it not?”
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