by Mark Spaid
“Great! What was the result?” Goering read from the telegram.
“A mushroom cloud went ten thousand feet in the air. It left a crater a thousand feet across. Stuff was still coming down hours later. Everything in the crater was vaporized…not melted mind you but vaporized. The ground was shaking twenty miles away.”
“Splendid.”
“Three of these could wipe Moscow off the face of the Earth,” Goering posed. Hitler nodded and smiled.
“And Stalin. I wonder if he’ll stay in the Kremlin as we approach the city?”
“He was nowhere to be seen during their civil war. Maybe he’ll run away again,” Goering suggested.
“I wonder…I think he might stay put, believing that his overwhelming numbers will prevail and they probably would except for these new weapons,” Hitler remarked.
“If things progress as they have then we’ll be in a position to invade Russia on May 1, 1945.”
“Good, I was hoping for next year.”
“We can finish them off rather quickly I think and with the United States preoccupied with Japan, they won’t be in a position to do anything. I think however, that we should occupy Ireland to eliminate a potential launching point for an invasion of Europe by the U.S.”
“Okay, run it by Jodl and Rommel,” Hitler said. Alfred Jodl was Chief of Army Operations and Erwin Rommel was the best tank commander in the Wehrmacht.
“Yes, Mein Fuehrer.” Ireland was taken without a shot being fired. They were given complete administrative independence and officially declared themselves the Irish Republic, which was the IRA’s only goal in the years they spent trying to get the British out of Northern Ireland.
May 1, 1945
“We’re awaiting your command, Mein Fuehrer,” Goering said as they both sat in the Wolf’s Lair, which was Hitler’s military command center located in East Prussia. No more Berghoff for a while, maybe a long while. Hitler wanted to be very close to the action during the invasion of Russia.
Not that he was vital to the actual execution of the invasion…he was actually superfluous to its success but he had to give the orders.
“Go ahead, Goering, let’s crush those bastards and especially Stalin.”
“Yes, Mein Fuehrer.”
“And, Goering…bring Stalin to me alive if possible.”
“By all means.” Goering picked up the phone, called the high command and spoke to Jodl. “Begin the attack.” The Ribbentrop/Molotov non-aggression pact between Germany and Russia that was signed in August of 1939 essentially said if you don’t attack us, we won’t attack you. It was not an alliance but rather a sort of truce between two mortal enemies so that Hitler could take Poland. Russia attacked Poland from the east and took a small portion, while Germany took the large majority of the country including Warsaw. Stalin knew Hitler would attack him eventually so he wanted a buffer zone between Russia and Germany.
A round of one thousand V-2 rockets delivered major destruction to Russian army units on the ground near the Polish border. That was followed by a massive aerial bombing from airfields in Poland and Romania. Then two hundred Wehrmacht divisions (about three million men) backed by two thousand tanks poured across the buffer zone and into Russia via The Ukraine, of course, since in 1945 Russia was actually The Soviet Union, which contained countries taken over by Russia. The Germans moved at will, almost without resistance. Tank units had to stop and wait for infantry to catch up they were moving so fast. Two million Russian prisoners of war were taken the first week as Russian units broke down from the bombing and the rocket launches, let alone German artillery and tank units that rained down incredible destruction on cities and troop concentrations.
The attack was divided into two main thrusts; Stalingrad and Moscow. The goal was to subdue those two cities then turn north to Leningrad. The Russians would retreat to Leningrad to defend it and that’s what the Germans wanted. With atom bombs, the Russians could either surrender Leningrad or watch it go up in smoke. Hitler didn’t care which. Of course, he wanted to keep all the major cities intact for occupation but if they resisted, he’d destroy them completely then occupy smaller cities for the purpose of administering Russia. Placing Germany on a total war footing back in 1939 made victory possible and likely.
June 15, 1945
“Mein Fuehrer,” Goering said as he walked into the planning room at the Wolf’s Lair. Jodl was there and he and Hitler were looking at a large map of the Eastern Front that showed German units surrounding Moscow and Stalingrad and Russian units destroyed or on the run to the East. It was not just wishful thinking; it was reality. In six weeks, Germany had desecrated Russian defenses and brought the war to the doorstep of the three major cities. They had begun the aerial attack on Leningrad even though tank and infantry units were miles away. Jet aircraft had wiped out the entire Russian air force. The Luftwaffe flew at will over the cities dropping incendiary bombs on Moscow, Leningrad and Stalingrad. Cluster bombs were being dropped on any Russian troop concentrations Thus, it was impossible for the Russians to mount any kind of a counter attack. The Wehrmacht could then attack smaller units and kill or capture all the Russian soldiers.
Units were being established made up of Russian soldiers who hated Stalin and the Communists. They were leading the fighting in some areas and with a ferocity that not even the Germans could match. These men were hand-picked and consisted of those who’d had family members executed by the KGB or who’d been imprisoned themselves. They were out for revenge and made for a formidable fighting force.
“Stalingrad won’t surrender,” Goering said as he walked up to the table where Hitler and Jodl were talking.
“Do they have any idea we have the bomb?” Jodl asked.
“We told them but they don’t believe us,” Goering said.
“Maybe it’s time we proved to them that we have it,” Jodl said as he looked at Hitler.
“Do it,” Hitler said as he sat down and ordered a cup of tea. The next morning three planes took off from an airfield in Southwestern Russia that’d been commandeered by the Luftwaffe. Each plane carried an atomic bomb. They spaced their bombing runs over Stalingrad carefully so there would be no overlap. There were about six hundred thousand people in Stalingrad, many of whom were refugees from the west after the German invasion. Many were homeless and hungry like all of the permanent residents. The bomb didn’t play favorites. The planes went over the city at five a.m. so most people were asleep or just getting up. The bombs were dropped from twenty thousand feet and exploded within thirty seconds of each other. The destruction was complete as all three bombs worked, which was not guaranteed since there was always a chance of a dud, especially in the early days of atomic bomb technology. The design was fairly simple but the engineering and execution were complex. Suffice it to say the Germans had mastered bomb development and deployment; both of which were dramatically displayed over Stalingrad on May 16, 1945.
“We’ve heard from the Russian southern command,” Goering said as he spoke to Hitler and Jodl once again.
“I take it they believe us now about the bomb?” Hitler asked smiling.
“Yes, Mein Fuehrer and they’ve surrendered. Just Stalingrad and the surrounding units, what’s left of them.”
“Excellent; make sure all soldiers are taken into custody, disarmed and placed in confinement,” Hitler said. “Is there anything left of the city?”
“No, it’s obliterated. But we can move into Rostov on the Don and make it our southern headquarters for the occupation,” Goering suggested.
“Good, make it happen. Any word from Moscow or Leningrad?”
“No, Mein Fuehrer.”
“Surely, they know what happened at Stalingrad.”
“If they do, they’re not reacting like they have. They’re continuing with their defense as we bomb.”
“What’s your advice, Jodl?” Hitler asked.
“We can destroy the city any time we want but I’d like to keep everything in one piece for the occupation. We’ll need some
place from which to administer the country.”
“Mein Fuehrer, might I suggest that we drop leaflets explaining what has happened at Stalingrad along with some photographs and see if the population can put some pressure on the Russian high command,” Goering proposed.
“Do you think that’ll work?” Hitler asked.
“I’m dubious but I agree with General Jodl; we need Moscow intact if possible.”
“Do you think Stalin is waiting until he can get out of town?” Hitler asked.
“I do and as soon as he’s gone, the people left behind might have a change of heart,” Goering answered.
“Okay, let’s wait and in the meantime keep hitting Russian troop placements with conventional weapons and rockets,” Hitler said as Goering nodded and left the room to give the orders. The leaflets were dropped and for the first time the citizens of Moscow and Leningrad knew what happened at Stalingrad. As expected, an exodus began as people gathered what they could carry and fled the city. Russian troops and police tried to stop them but there were too many and in time many troops shucked their uniforms and joined them. The loyalty to Stalin was only under the mantle of fear. Uncle Joe as he was affectionately called would run at the first chance and they knew it so, there wasn’t a groundswell of support among the army for staying behind to be incinerated for the cause.
“We have some preliminary communication from Moscow,” Goering reported to Hitler and Jodl who both seemed to be permanently hovering over the large map in the planning room of the Wolf’s Lair. It’d been six days since the leaflets were dropped and eight since the destruction of Stalingrad.
“What do they say?” Hitler asked.
‘They’re ready to surrender.”
“So, Stalin found his way out of there,” Jodl said shaking his head.
“He was bound to get away but we’ll track him as best we can,” Goering said. “There’re many airfields in the East he could use. We’ve bombed several but a small plane can take off from a field.”
“Yes, we know, Goering. No one’s blaming you. Maybe we’ll catch him and maybe not but, in any event, he can’t do much damage to us without an army or a country.”
“Our southern forces have been moving to the east of Moscow rapidly since the surrender of Stalingrad. We can intercept the units coming out of Moscow,” Goering related.
“Good, vet all of the prisoners of war. If they’re party members then they’re shot on the spot. If not, give them the option of joining the Russian troops fighting for the Reich against Stalin and Communism,” Hitler informed Goering.
“Yes, Mein Fuehrer.” Goering left but returned five minutes later breathless. “They’re offering to surrender.”
“The following conditions; all soldiers lay down their arms of course. The police shall turn themselves in at the Kremlin and wait there. All party members must remain at the Kremlin or go there and stay. All administrators or anyone connected with the government must remain at the Kremlin. When these conditions have been met then we’ll cease the bombing,” Hitler said and Goering nodded and left to relay the message. It took less than twenty-four hours but the Russians responded. It was Molotov, who’d assumed command in the absence of Stalin. The conditions were met or at least as well as they could, with the short notice. The sobering and deadly effects of the bombing pushed the Russians into compliance as Goering had expected.
“All Russian troops have left the city and are being rounded up by our southern forces,” Goering explained.
“The police?” Hitler asked.
“They’re at the Kremlin. Our troops are taking over the city and there are no police in sight.”
“Excellent, surround the Kremlin. No one goes in or out without our permission,” Hitler stated.
“Already done, Mein Fuehrer.” Hitler smiled and clasped his hands together in glee. “Well done, Goering. You shall be decorated for this like no one has before. You’re more than worthy to succeed as Fuehrer if anything should happen to me.”
“Your confidence is gratifying, Mein Fuehrer.”
“Reichsfuehrer Himmler is here to see you, Mein Fuehrer,” an adjutant said.
“Send him in, Lieutenant.”
“Mein Fuehrer,” Himmler said as he stopped and saluted.
“Himmler, what do you have to report?” Hitler asked.
“We’re rounding up Jews by the tens of thousands. The camps are filling up.”
“What do you propose?”
“Heydrich wants to send them to Madagascar.”
“Why?”
“To get rid of them. We control it now since the French surrendered and we have the naval facilities.”
“Is there enough room for all the Jews in Europe?”
“Yes, it’s a big place.”
“He’s against exterminating them?” Hitler asked.
“He wants to avoid the negative publicity around the world.”
“Why should we care?”
“He makes the point and I agree that after we conquer Russia, we can make overtures to other places to join us and adopt National Socialism. It’ll be easier if they see us as humanitarians and not perpetrators of genocide.”
“Interesting, Himmler.” Hitler thought for a moment. “Okay, tell him to go ahead and send them there.”
“Yes, Mein Fuehrer,” Himmler said.
“Himmler, I want the SS in Moscow as soon as possible. Today if you can. Find any and all KGB members. Give a reward and people will turn them in for the cash. Kill all the underlings on sight but question the officers and find out what you can about Stalin and agents that may be in Europe or America. And, Himmler, try to find out where Stalin is and where he’s headed.” Himmler saluted and left the room.
“The city’s secure, Mein Fuehrer,” Goering announced.
“Good, when should I go?”
“Not yet, it’s not safe.”
“But, we’re there in sufficient force, aren’t we?”
“Yes, but there could be fanatics who are willing to sacrifice themselves to get at you. We need several days to check house to house. We need to confiscate any weapons.”
“Makes sense; keep on cleansing the city of Communists or anyone loyal to Stalin. Make sure all the soldiers who are surrendering are taken away from the city…far away. Either to prison camps or shot.”
“Yes, Mein Fuehrer.
“Jodl, what about Leningrad?”
“They’re holding fast but we haven’t bombed them as much and our army isn’t within sight.”
“When will we be in sight?”
“In a day and we’ve already started preliminary bombing. Incendiary bombs have a terrifying and cowering effect. We’ve bombed their telegraph offices and radio stations and we’ve hit their divisions around the city very hard with rockets and aerial attacks. Word has spread about Moscow and Stalin leaving. Our air reconnaissance have shown desertions within the army. Thousands are simply running away to the east.”
“Are they dropping their guns?” Hitler asked.
“Yes, and their uniforms,” Jodl said.
“Well, what’re they wearing?”
“Whatever they can find.” Hitler roared with laughter.
“Okay, so, maybe it won’t take much to get a surrender. Are you using the same tactic you did for Moscow?”
“Yes, we’re dropping leaflets as we speak. I should hope to hear something from inside within a few days.”
“Should we drop one bomb close to the city to scare them into surrendering?” Hitler wondered.
“I’d rather not…the radiation can affect our occupation.”
“What’s radiation?” Hitler asked.
“Our nuclear scientists are warning about the radiation leftover from the atom bomb detonations,” Goering said.
“What does it do?”
“The gamma rays are absorbed by the tissue of a person and it can lead to death in sufficient quantities. It takes years for the area to be safe once a bomb is dropped.”
&nbs
p; “I see, so, your advice is to avoid a bomb if possible.”
“Yes, Mein Fuehrer.”
“I agree, we want to keep Leningrad habitable for the occupation.”
“I believe it’s the right move and I’m hopeful that we can get a surrender in a few days.”
“Once Leningrad is ours then what?”
“We keep moving east. We can’t let them form a government in absence in Omsk, Vladivostok or anywhere else. We must have complete surrender of the entire country. We’ll pursue the retreating army units and bomb them into oblivion. There won’t be much of a resistance. All that’ll be left are local authorities that we can deal with easily with the use of a few atom bombs strategically placed to scare everyone else into surrendering,” Jodl explained. Two days later Hitler went to Moscow. There were Nazi flags and Wehrmacht soldiers lined the streets. Somewhat surprisingly, even to Hitler himself the sidewalks were full of cheering Russian citizens who welcomed the invading Germans as an alternative to the repression of Stalin. The Germans had a golden opportunity to be welcomed as liberators but their vindictive and sanguinary nature soon brought an end to the possibilities of being accepted as benevolent rulers.
They rounded up Moscow residents by the hundreds and thousands; mostly police and government officials, who were all party members. Then they trucked them into the country, lined them up and shot every one of them. They were all hated by the average Moscow citizen but still they were Russian and to see them brutalized by the Germans slowly turned the population against Hitler and the Nazis. It wiped out any initial feelings of relief that the invasion fostered among Russians. Jews were rounded up by the tens of thousands but to the Muscovites that was not a factor since anti-Semitism in Russia was a rampant as it was it Germany and all over Europe for that matter. Many of the early Bolshevik leaders were Jews and all Jews in Russia found common ground in joining the Bolsheviks as enemies of the Tsarist regime that had persecuted them for centuries. But now decades later, Jews had become enemies of Russia again and Stalin wasted no time in adding them to his list of undesirables. But the general slaughter perpetrated by the Nazis turned Russians against them. However, the day of Hitler’s visit was one of triumph. Hitler in Moscow riding in an open car down the streets of the Russian capital, touring the Kremlin and finally sitting at Stalin’s desk in his office. He smiled and put his feet up on the desk as the Communist flag was taken down off the wall and Stalin’s picture was ripped to shreds by an SS officer.
