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"I have heard about the activities of the German aircraft carrier Graf Zeppelin. So, I hope that the Soviet Union will also help us to have such an aircraft carrier."

The next thing the Soviet Union wanted was the plans for the Graf Zeppelin.

By the way, it's a bit refreshing to hear an aircraft carrier blueprint come from the Army Chief of Staff.

"It seems like a bit of an unreasonable request. Didn't Germany already hand over Bismarck's blueprints some time ago?"

Leather said displeasedly. Come to think of it, it was Leder who desperately opposed handing over Bismarck's blueprints to the Soviet Union.

It is deplorable that the Bismarck blueprints were given to Leder, who lives on a battleship and dies on a battleship, but now the Soviet Union, who even demands a Graf Zeppelin, will look like a day robber. Shaposhnikov added to Leder's objection:

"Of course I won't ask for it for free. If you accept the following conditions, we will supply an additional 18% of agricultural products, 13% of oil and timber, and 7% of minerals to Germany. How are you feeling?"

"Hmm."

The design of one aircraft carrier was not bad considering the price. Leder also seemed to be pondering whether he judged the Soviet Union's offer to be a condition that would be difficult to ignore.

"Admiral Leder, I think this is a good offer."

"… ..All right."

"Thank you, Mr. President, Admiral Leder."

As the deal was concluded, smiles appeared on the faces of the Soviet delegation. Looking at the smiles of Russians, it suddenly dawns on me that we are a losing business.

However, it is impossible to take back a deal that has already been concluded. Feeling disappointed, I proposed additional conditions.

"Instead, please increase the supply of oil and wood to 15% and minerals to 10%. "We also went through a lot of trouble to obtain Graf Zeppelin."

"I will accept oil and timber. But 10% of minerals seems a bit difficult. How about 8%?"

After negotiations, it was decided to maintain chrome, nickel, and copper at 9%, and tungsten and molybdenum at 8%.

Voroshilov and Shaposhnikov requested blueprints of the Panzerfaust and StG39, the Hatcher, and the Fw190 F.

Panzerfaust and StG39 flatly refused, saying they could not be offered, and Göring said he was only willing to provide up to the Fw190 A-6.

The Fw190 A-6, which Goering announced that it would provide, is a version in which the MG FF 20mm cannon on the outside of the main wing has been replaced with an MG151 20mm cannon, and the A-9, which can be said to be the final version of the A type, has two MG131s on the top of the cowling and an inner wing inside the main wing. It is equipped with two MG151 doors each on the outside and the engine, and is equipped with a more powerful BMW 801T engine, so overall performance is upgraded.

The Fw190F was developed into a high-speed tactical fighter-bomber, and the Fw190G was developed into a long-range fighter-bomber. The Fw190D, a high-altitude bomber interception version that is said to be the best among the Fw190 models, is scheduled to be released soon.

So, it was somewhat surprising when the Soviet delegation said that they wanted the F-type, the latest version of the Fw190.

The Fw190 had already reached its final version, the D-type, but they mistakenly thought that the F-type was the latest model, perhaps because they were late in gathering information.

It is possible that they deliberately spoke as if they had incorrect information to reassure us, but that seemed unlikely.

If you're going to ask for something, you should ask for the latest model. There's no need to incur a loss by saying the old version, right?

And, seeing as they only mentioned the Fw190, it seemed like they had no idea that we were also developing a jet fighter.

We can now see how far the Soviet intelligence network in Germany has collapsed. In actual history, the Soviet Union, which obtained the operation plan before the German generals on the front line, somehow... .

Well, I was the cause, right? I forgot for a moment.

Hatcher, in exchange for the Fw190 A-6, I demanded IL-2 Stormovik and T-34. I felt like we were the only ones losing too much, so I thought we should get at least this much.

But these guys, aren't they blurting out that I have to think about it because I'm afraid to say it?

They said it first, but then they gave it a non-committal response.

If this is going to happen, why did I even bring this up?

"Mr. President. "I have something to ask of your Excellency the President."

"What are you asking?"

This was what Voroshilov said near the end of the meeting. I hope you don't ask me to hand over something again.

"Can you show me tomorrow the most powerful tank Germany has? "I heard the news that Germany began mass production of a new tank more powerful than the Panzer 4, possibly starting last winter or this year."

You know this accurately, right? … .No. The mass production of the Panther and Tiger was not promoted on a large scale, but it was not completely kept secret, so it would not be surprising if the Soviet Union knew of the existence of the Tiger and Tiger.

"… .Good. "That's how I am."

***

May 20, 1941

Kummersdorf test site, Germany

"Now, feel free to take a look. "They make Germany proud."

"This is… ."

"oh my god."

The Soviet delegation, who were faced with the long-awaited Panther and Tiger, showed an expression that was difficult to express in words.

Facial expressions that convey surprise and wonder, shock and amazement at the same time.

When compared to the 4th tank that was brought for size comparison, the size of the Panther and Tiger appeared larger.

After being silent for a while, the delegation approached the stopped tanks and placed their hands on the surface.

"The name of this tank is…" .?"

"This guy is a Panther. The official name is Tank No. 5 Panther. "It is Germany's main tank that will replace the Panzer 4 in the future."

"Panther. Panthera."

Voroshilov repeated the name I told him and then walked around the Panther, looking at things carefully.

Shaposhnikov, unable to control his overflowing excitement and curiosity, looked around the tank with Voroshilov.

Molotov also seemed very interested in these new tanks, but unlike the previous two, he did not even touch the tanks and just watched them.

Is there a difference between those who worked in diplomacy and those who worked in the military?

"Mr. President. Are you really going to show them the Tiger and Panther?"

As soon as the meeting ended yesterday, Kaitel asked with anxious eyes. I nodded obediently.

"exactly."

"Aren't these two tanks Germany's newest weapons? But wouldn't it cause problems later if we easily showed this to the Soviet Union?"

"Why didn't I think of that? However, the existence of the Panther and Tiger is not a complete secret, and since they already know the existence of the two tanks, there is no point in hiding or denying it."

Keitel, Brauchitch, and Guderian objected that it should not be shown, but it was impossible to revoke what had already been permitted.

As the deployment of the Tiger and Panther had already begun, the Soviet Union would at least know what the two tanks looked like in the near future, so there was no point in hiding them.

In fact, Hitler had listened to the request of the Soviets who visited Germany ahead of Operation Barbarossa to show them the most powerful tank in Germany.

And if Stalin, who is very suspicious, gets even a strange idea after trying to hide it, it will be a headache. It's better to show it hot.

If you show that you have nothing to hide, wouldn't Stalin be a little less wary of Germany?

"The more I look at these, the more I crave them. "If I could, I would like to steal a few when I go back."

"ha ha ha! "Our engineers will be very happy to hear that."

***

May 22, 1941

USSR Moscow Kremlin Palace

Hitler showed considerable kindness to the Soviet delegation.

He showed the Soviet delegation a demonstration of tank production plants and fighter jets, and even held a grand farewell party for them leaving for Moscow.

The Soviet delegation was very satisfied with Germany's generous treatment, but at the same time looked with suspicion.

Isn't there a reason why they treat us so well? Although they had signed a non-aggression pact, Hitler's friendly attitude toward them raised suspicions that he had hidden intentions.

Constantly doubt and doubt again. Even if it's family, you shouldn't completely trust them.

As the people who created a communist country where mutual surveillance, suspicion, and accusation were routine, they did not believe even the slightest action.

That's why they've been able to survive until now, so it's not easy to change.

When they returned to Moscow, they immediately appeared before Stalin and reported everything they had seen and heard in Germany.

Stalin sat in a chair, drank light black tea, and listened to the stories of his associates.

He bluntly praised the acquisition of the Graf Zeppelin blueprints, and at the same time, bluntly asked when he heard that Fuhrer Hitler had demanded the Soviet Union's T-34 and IL-2 in exchange for the Hatcher and Fw190.

"so? "Did you accept it?"

"I refused for now."

Although it was not revealed on the surface, Stalin was actually quite surprised that Hitler mentioned the existence of the T-34 and IL-2.

Wasn't the existence of the two devices a secret in Germany? But how did Hitler know?

'… .I guess the information is leaking somewhere. Damn it.'

Stalin decided to call Beria in the evening and reprimand him to the point of bewilderment, and moved on to the next question.

"What do you all think about the fact that Führer Hitler accepted the request to show the new tank instead of rejecting it?"

"hmm… ."

"that is… ."

None of the three could come up with a suitable answer to Stalin's question. Voroshilov, who could be said to be closest to Stalin among the three, said.

"I'm not sure if it's because there was a hidden intention. "First of all, I think he showed us a calculated favor."

"Calculated favor?"

"Doesn't the Soviet Union provide Germany with countless supplies almost free of charge every year? Germany is also sending various machinery and technicians to the Soviet Union, but it still falls short of the amount we provide to Germany. Fuhrer Hitler also knew this, so wasn't he showing his favor in return? . "I'm guessing so."

"That makes sense."

Although Hitler was famous for not knowing his true intentions, we could not ignore the possibility that he had shown favor in return, as Voroshilov had speculated. Either that or it was just a whim.

Despite his thoroughly calculated actions, he met black and Asian athletes at the Berlin Olympics who had nothing to do with him and did not benefit him. He may have been capricious this time too.

In any case, thanks to his actions, the Soviet Union was able to see with its own eyes the new German tanks, of which there were only rumors and no detailed information about them.

On the plane to Moscow, NKVD agents sketched the Tigers and Panthers they saw, estimated their approximate sizes, and recorded them in numbers to create a brief report.

Stalin said after seeing the images of the Tiger and Panther attached to the report prepared by the NKVD.

"This tank called Panther looks similar to our T-34."

Germany's new heavy tank Tiger had right-angled armor plates and looked like an enlarged version of the Panzer IV, but the Panther had sloped armor like the T-34, so they looked so similar that it was difficult to tell them apart from a distance.

Is this also the result of T-34 information being leaked to Germany? Whatever the truth, it was never a good thing.

Although we found out what the size of the new tanks would look like, we did not know the most important specifications, so we could only make rough guesses.

Until now, the only information the Soviet Union knew about the Panther and Tiger was the caliber of the main guns of the two tanks.

First of all, it will be more powerful than the 4th Tank, so its defense power will also be greater.

The Tiger's frontal armor seems to be about 100mm, and the Panther's... . 50mm? 60mm? Since it is a medium tank, its overall defense will be lower than that of the Tiger, but I was concerned about the sloped armor on the front of the hull.

First of all, it would be correct to assume that it is around 100mm.

Stalin clicked his tongue and muttered.

"With the 76mm main gun mounted on the T-34 and KV-1, it's impossible to target the front, so we'll have to target the sides and rear."

It was pointed out that the power of the 76mm L-11 tank gun mounted on the T-34 and KV-1 was too low, so the 76mm F-34 tank gun was developed with an extended length and increased penetration power, but even this was far from being able to penetrate the Tiger and Panther from the front. The performance was inferior.

At least, the T-34 can use its high mobility to attack by detouring, but the heavily armored KV-1 is slower than the T-34... .

'A more fundamental solution is needed.'

Stalin thought of the 57mm gun, which was developed to solve the problem of insufficient penetration of the 76mm gun. The T-34, also known as the T-34-57, equipped with a 57mm 73 caliber main gun, showed excellent power to penetrate 118mm vertical armor at 500m and received high expectations from the upper echelons of the Army, but it was very difficult to produce with the Soviet technology and the unit price was high. Due to several problems, such as the low performance of the 57mm grenade, only very small quantities were produced.

However, once the Tiger and Panther appeared, the T-34-57's high penetration power was enough to capture Stalin's heart despite its numerous shortcomings.

The same goes for KV-3. The KV-1, which uses a 76mm main gun, is a heavy tank, but the problem was that it had the same firepower as the medium tank, the T-34. The KV-2 was equipped with a 152mm main gun and succeeded in having very powerful firepower, but it had an overly large turret and weighed 53 tons. The extra weight was holding me back.

The KV-3 can be said to be between the KV-1 and KV-2, and was equipped with the 107mm M-60 anti-tank gun as its main gun, so there was no lack of firepower. The armor reaches up to 120mm, so it has high defense power.

Although the weight of 68 tons was a concern, it was a price worth bearing since it provided firepower and stable protection that could destroy German tanks in one blow.

"We must increase production of the T-34-57 and begin mass production of the KV-3 before the end of the year. And how far has the development of the A-43, as Marshal Kulik mentioned, progressed?"

"They say the prototype has been completed and is currently being tested."

The A-43, which Kulik was actively pushing to compete against the T-34, was originally not out of mock-up status until the summer of 1941, and development was halted after the outbreak of the German-German War. However, the improved performance of faster German tanks and the early appearance of the Panther and Tiger paradoxically accelerated the development of the A-43.

"Tell Marshal Kulik. They want to see results as soon as possible. finally… . How did Hitler react to the Soviet Union's southward policy? "That's what I'm most curious about."

"Führer Hitler expressed his position that it would be difficult to tolerate our advance into the Balkan Peninsula. However, he noted that it is acceptable when it comes to expansion into the Middle East and the Indian Ocean."

Molotov answered.

"I see, um. I understand. "You must have had a hard time, so please go back now."

"Yes, Comrade Secretary."