Opening Moves

“I believe we can manage it Comrade, particularly as we have already decided to place many third and fourth stage assets in that region as part of the maskirova.” Beria thumbed through his copy quickly.

“If you look at the suggestion laid out on page 17 and addendum F you will find an intriguing proposal.”

“By moving the equipment detailed in addendum F, we can increase the firepower and ability of their forces without affecting our own, all without raising suspicion from our ‘allies’. Indeed, my office feels we will profit logistically by removing these assets from our own rosters.”

Sitting back in his chair, pipe between his lips, the General Secretary said nothing. Beria waited.

“You may present that,” returning the document still with his copy attached, “To the GKO today. We shall see what they think of it before I give it my support.”

That was code for ‘I am distancing myself from this at the moment but you stick your neck out and I will jump on the bandwagon and grab the reins if it proves successful.’

Not uncommon for the General Secretary.

“Moving back to our alternatives, Comrade, I will reiterate.”

Stalin held up his hand that stopped Beria dead in his tracks.

“Before that Comrade, has there been re-assessment of the air and sea situation?”

“No substantive change, except an increase in the number of jet fighter aircraft that are becoming available to them, so just the words of caution as always Comrade. Their Air forces are superior in every department and it is imperative that the specific paratrooper sub-operation Kurgan detailed in Kingdom39, addressing their threat, is fully supported, given all the assets needed, and prosecuted with the utmost vigour.”

Beria paused as Stalin lit another cigarette.

“Obviously, Kurgan will be very costly.”

“Obviously. That was always the case Lavrentiy. Proceed.”

“Naval power bears no comparison but this will not be a war of Navies. The Black Sea Fleet should ensure no incursions into our waters there because of the narrow Dardanelles approach. Politically we see no shift from Turkey to either side and we would expect their national waters to be honoured by the capitalists. We will, of course, be making our own overtures and issuing assurances to them.”

Stalin acknowledged that with a gentle nodding, although in his mind the word ‘assurances’ was replaced by ‘threats’.

“The Baltic will be an issue until such times as Denmark is ours, when that avenue will be closed too. Until the military plan is submitted we will not know how soon that may be, but my staff anticipate that Denmark could be ours within 3-5 days Comrade. We also have a plan that should ensure the Baltic is sealed and secure in the interim. The Swedes will definitely not get involved and most certainly have power to ensure no incursions into their waters by either side.”

“In more northerly waters I believe we have nothing to fear because any hurt would be minor and a simple distraction. We would also have the fallback of our suggested later intervention in Norway should it be required, although the continued presence of organised German divisions in country cannot be ignored. Our proposal for the slant-eyes would distract from any attempt on our Siberian waters.”

‘So, Air Force aside, it is the army which will pose us most problems comrade.”

Beria adjusted his tie and made his pitch.

“We can abandon, we can delay, or we can proceed. If we proceed, I see no alternative but to risk our agents in place and cause as much damage to the American programme as is possible. If that can delay their project until 1948 then we will be on an even footing in that regard and there will be no more threat. By 1948, we will have long finished what we started in Europe. I believe that the capitalists are weak and one kick will bring the church down around them. We seem now to have the probability of recruiting more assets in Manhattan even if our present agents are lost to us. We will never have a better opportunity Comrade General Secretary.”

And so there it was; Beria had firmly nailed his colours to the mast.

The dictator looked hard into Beria’s eyes, almost as if trying to read his innermost thoughts. Even a powerful man like the head of the NKVD felt intimidated by that stare but dare not look away.

“Very well Lavrentiy. I agree with you. So let us see what wisdom and guidance our comrades bring later on. Thank you.”

Stalin reached forward and spoke briefly into the ornate gold phone.

The two men sat in silence until the tea and sweetbreads had arrived, and the orderly, actually one of Beria’s NKVD spies, left the room. Beria poured and handed the delicate cup to Stalin.

“I think you should prepare the order for your agents Lavrentiy, just in case.”

Delivered in a deadpan style, but there was mischief there for sure, which Beria acknowledged with a rare smile.