150

May 28, 1942

USSR Moscow Kremlin Palace

Before the start of Operation Uranus, the Soviet Union was concerned about the safety of the Baku oil field.

However, to bomb Baku, one had to cross the vast Black Sea, and the protection of the Baku oil fields was put on the back burner due to the belief that the German army, which was busy blocking the incoming Soviet troops from the front, would not be able to cross the Black Sea to Baku, which was located under the Caucasus Mountains.

The argument that for the success of Operation Uranus it would be better to divert personnel and materials to the front to protect oil fields also had a significant impact on the disaster in Baku.

Only after the Murmansk air raid did the Soviet Union become concerned that the Baku oil fields might also be bombed by the Germans, and Moscow decided to increase troops and supplies to protect the Baku oil fields.

However, German military movements were much faster than the Soviet response.

Before proper action could be taken, the German Air Force launched an airstrike on Baku, using Turkey as a stepping stone.

By mobilizing nearly 300 bombers and 180 super-large bombs developed by their scientists.

The only damage suffered by the German military during the air raid was four bombers and two escort planes shot down by anti-aircraft artillery.

When Stalin heard the tragic news that the Baku oil fields were on fire due to German air raids, he felt as if all the blood in his body was flowing backwards.

The worst scenario, one that I didn't even want to imagine, ended up becoming a reality.

"We are currently trying to extinguish the fire by mobilizing all available personnel, but the fire is so strong that it is difficult to extinguish it."

"… ..How much longer does it take for the oil field to start operating again?"

"We believe it will take at least six months."

"6 months? "Are you sure?"

"That… ."

"… .In fact, the report says that even 6 months cannot be guaranteed-"

"You damn German things!"

Stalin, unable to bear his anger, picked up the ashtray and threw it on the floor. The carpet on the floor absorbed the impact and the ashtray did not break, but it only made Stalin more angry.

Stalin threw the lamp and documents on his desk and roared like an animal that had lost its mind.

While Stalin poured out his inner anger, his associates kept their mouths shut, lowered their heads, and waited for their superior's anger to subside.

But no matter how long he waited, Stalin's anger would not cool down.

His subordinates thought it best to remain silent to cool down his anger, but in this situation, silence backfired.

When Stalin saw his aides standing like scarecrows, his anger flared up even more fiercely rather than controlling it.

"Ziggarev!"

"yes! Comrade Secretary General!"

Zhigarev answered Stalin's name in a loud voice as if he were a private, despite his title as Commander-in-Chief of the Soviet Air Force.

"You incompetent bastard, what on earth did our air force do until the Germans burned down the oil fields!"

"sorry!"

In fact, Zigarev also had something to say about this.

It was Stalin himself who ordered the deployment of a large number of fighter planes to attack Germany and Romania, and Soviet fighter planes were absolutely inferior in performance to German fighter planes.

Even the pilots' skills could not match that of the German Air Force.

In other words, today's disaster was something that had been predicted a long time ago.

However, in the Soviet Union, who had ultimate responsibility was not such an important issue.

What was important was who was responsible.

"Everything is my fault, Comrade Secretary General. "There is no excuse."

Instead of making lame excuses, Zigarev admitted his mistake and bowed down.

Stalin stared at him with a cold gaze, as if he were looking at an insect.

"There is no excuse? You're stating the obvious. "Then did you know it would happen?"

"… .."

"Get out now. "Because I don't want to see it."

"Yes, Comrade Secretary."

Zhigarev saluted politely and then left the office.

There were more people to blame than Dzigarev. Stalin said nervously.

"Berry!"

"yes!"

"Catch Baibakov and bring him to me right now. Right Now!"

One of the tasks of Nikolai Baibakov, head of the Soviet Department of Petroleum Production, was to protect the Baku oil fields from enemy attack.

However, the Baku oil field that he was supposed to protect burned down, so he was unable to complete his assigned duties.

If you fail to fulfill your duties, you must take responsibility for it.

Beria hesitated for a moment at Stalin's words.

"Baibakov is already dead, Comrade Secretary."

"Already dead? "What does that mean?"

"He committed suicide with a pistol after receiving a report that the oil field was under air attack… ."

"Huh."

After hearing the news that a fire broke out in an oil field, Baibakov immediately rushed to the scene, but the fire was already so intense that it was impossible to get to the oil field.

Baibakov, who saw the state of the oil field with his own eyes, sensed the future that awaited him and immediately put a bullet in his head.

"Ha ha ha ha ha! haha… ."

Stalin burst out laughing as if he was dumbfounded.

"You ran away. "You seem like a coward."

Stalin felt despondent. He probably chose to commit suicide because he knew he would be shot. You were quick to notice... .

"Then arrest Baibakov's family. Baibakov is a traitor who not only failed to fulfill the duties assigned to him, but he even refused to take responsibility. "We cannot leave the traitor's family alone."

"I understand, Comrade Secretary. "I will take care of it right away."

"Molotov, you request fuel assistance from the United States."

"All right."

According to an agreement with the United States, the Soviet Union was receiving food and medicine from the United States in return for opening its borders and helping the United States supply supplies to China.

Now that the Baku oil fields have burned down, we have to rely on the United States for oil as well.

"Have you received a reply from Finland?"

When Stalin asked, Molotov hesitated to answer. He knew he had to say it someday, but the timing wasn't right to say it now.

But I didn't know what would happen if I lied for no reason.

"came."

"What did you say?"

"Finland has rejected our demands, Comrade Secretary."

Contrary to Molotov's fears, Stalin did not get angry or yell.

He just nodded quietly, as if he had already expected something like this to happen.

"Are you saying there is nothing to be afraid of because Germany is behind them?"

"What do you want to do?"

"What should I do? "Now that we know whose side Finland is on, we need to treat them accordingly."

It was a good thing. It was planned to take care of Finland as soon as the war with Germany ended.

Rather, it was better to attack Finland now that there was a reason to invade Finland again.

When Stalin announced his intention to attack Finland, his associates became anxious.

Operation Uranus is already sluggish, so why would they attack Finland in this situation?

I heard that the most basic strategy when waging war is to make as many allies as possible and make as few enemies as possible.

But look at the situation the Soviet Union is in now. The only ally is Mongolia, a satellite country, but there are too many enemies to deal with.

Germany, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, France, Norway, Sweden etc.

Just adding Finland to the mix was a significant burden for the Soviet Union, which had a plethora of countries to deal with.

Besides, don't you already know that the Finnish military is an opponent that cannot be taken lightly? And yet they attack Finland.

"Why is everyone's expression like that? "They look like they really want to say something."

Stalin asked, reading the emotions revealed on the faces of his associates.

Everyone had so much they wanted to say, but no one spoke because they were looking at each other.

Who would you dare to use your mouth carelessly in front of someone?

"Khrushchev. You tell me. "Don't you have something to tell me?"

When no one showed signs of opening their mouths, Stalin called Khrushchev, who was on the far right.

Khrushchev, who had been singled out by Stalin, pondered what to say, but then decided to tell the truth.

"Comrade Secretary-General, we are already at war with Germany. If we invade Finland, wouldn't the burden on the Red Army become even greater?"

"Hmm, Mikoyan? "What do you think?"

Instead of answering Khrushchev's words, Stalin passed the question to Anastas Mikoyan, a member of the Presidium of the Politburo of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

Mikoyan, who was internally relieved that Khrushchev had been chosen, flinched when he was also called to Stalin.

"I think the same thing, Comrade Secretary General."

Mikoyan, who received Khrushchev's earnest gaze, hesitated before answering.

Georgi Malenkov, the third Politburo member to be called, gave the same answer as the previous two.

"Right. "Does everyone think war with Finland is impossible?"

"I'm sorry, but that's right-"

-Clink!

Stalin's aides stopped talking when the cup he threw hit the wall and broke.

"We're acting like cowards, so even the Finns look down on us! Are we going to stay silent while these guys are blatantly mocking us? Are you going to tell us to stay silent even if the Finns drop bombs on Leningrad?

I won't listen to any more excuses. On the contrary, since Germany is at war, we can't pay attention to Finland. At best, all we can do is give them a few rifles and mortars. "It's summer, so we have an advantage."

Stalin turned around and waved his hands as if he didn't want to see them.

"Everyone turn off. "Because I don't want to see it."

***

The stands at Berlin's Sportpalast (Sports Palace) were filled to the brim with people.

Most of the audience gathered at the Sports Palace were Nazi Party members loyal to the party and the Führer, but there were also quite a few ordinary people who were not party members.

Active and reserve soldiers, office workers and housewives, teachers, postal workers, disabled veterans and veterans. And mixed among them were professional actors directly under the Ministry of Propaganda.

In addition, a large number of high-ranking Nazi Party figures, including Hess, Himmler, Todt, Speer, Frick, Inkvart, Sauckel, and Daluge, also attended, further highlighting the importance of today's event.

When Goebbels entered, people greeted him with applause. After the Wehrmacht Honor Guard, which was playing the Badenweiler March, ended, a magnificent silence settled in the palace.

For this very moment, Goebbels trained hard, reducing his sleeping time, eating time, and even the time he spent meeting women.

Since this was a task entrusted to him by his President, whom he greatly admired, he could not help but do his best.

Now that both the actors and the stage are ready, all that remains is for the lead actor to go on stage and perform.

Before starting his speech, Goebbels glanced at the expectant eyes of the audience who looked up to him.

And then he stared at the cameras filming him. Everything was perfect.

Now it's time to start. After lightly clearing his throat, Goebbels began his speech.

"All citizens of Germany are invited here today.

Right now, there is a line of disabled soldiers in front of me who have fought for Germany. A soldier with scars all over his body, a soldier who lost a leg or arm, a blind soldier who came with a Red Cross nurse, a soldier on crutches... .

These young people, including 50 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the White Leaf, came here to represent the defense forces on the front lines.

Behind them are military workers from the Berlin tank factory.

Also sitting behind them are all classes of the Third Reich, including party members, Wehrmacht soldiers, SS members, doctors, scientists, artists, engineers, architects, teachers, and civil servants from all over Germany. Now that we are at war, our country owes them a great debt.

Thousands of German women also gathered here in Sportpalast. Young people and old people gathered. Everyone was invited, regardless of wealth, occupation, or age.

Therefore, you who are facing me can be said to be a microcosm of the entire German people everywhere, at the front and in the rear. Is that correct?"

"yes!"

The actors positioned throughout the audience shouted loudly as they had practiced beforehand. People who were stimulated by this also unconsciously answered Goebbels' question.

"So then, my great audience, you are now representing the public opinion. I would also like to ask you a question. Please answer for the German people around the world and for our enemies who may be listening over the radio.

The Bolsheviks claim that the German people have lost trust and faith in the values ​​of National Socialism.

Let me ask you: Do you believe in the final and total victory of the Führer and the German people?"

"yes!"

A passionate shout. Goebbels felt satisfied and moved on to the next question.

"Are you all determined to seek victory and follow the Führer, even if it means paying a heavy price?"

"yes!"

"Secondly, the Soviets, and the British, claim that the German people are sick and tired of National Socialism."

"no! no!"

"Are you ready to act as the shield of your country, support the National Defense Forces struggling on the front line, protect the rear of the front line, not give in to any hardships, and continue the solemn struggle until victory is achieved?"

"yes!"

"Have you decided to dedicate yourself to victory by working 10, 12, or even 14 or 16 hours a day if the Führer orders it?"

"yes!"

"Our enemies of Germany claim that the German people resist the government's total war measures. "We are saying we want surrender, not total war!"

"no! no!"

"We want victory!"

"Let me ask you a question. Do you want all-out war? If necessary, do you want a war more radical and all-out than anything we can imagine today?"

"yes!"

"The Bolsheviks, the British and the warmongering Churchill claim that the German people no longer trust the Fuhrer.

Let me ask you: Is your trust in the Führer greater, more enthusiastic and more certain than ever? Are you ready to follow him wherever he is and give whatever price and effort is necessary to lead the war to victory?"

"yes!"

Goebbels deceived the public by constantly pouring out words. At this moment, he was the conductor, and the public was the instrument that played itself under his direction.

The concert was slowly approaching its climax.

"Let me ask you a question. Are you ready to do your best to send manpower and materials to the Eastern Front to bring death to communism?"

"Let me ask you a question. Will you take a sacred oath to the front line to defend the solid vanguard of your country and send to the front line everything necessary for victory?"

"Let me ask you a question. Do you agree with taking harsh measures against fraudsters who disrupt the national economy and lead the people into ruin for personal gain and advancement? Do you agree with executing those who only have a negative impact on the war effort?"

"I will ask you one last question. Do you agree that, in accordance with the program of National Socialism, the burden of the war that our country lost should be borne equally by the high and the low, the rich and the poor, and that everyone should have equal rights and obligations?"

"yes!"

Every time Goebbels asked a question, the audience answered his question with enthusiastic approval.

"I asked, and you answered. You are the representatives of the people, and your answer is the answer of the German people. You have given the answers that Germany's enemies need to prevent them from having the false illusion that we will easily give in.

I declare this here and now. The German people have pledged to unite as one, support the Wehrmacht, defend Germany's borders, and follow the Führer no matter what. The German people will gladly accept heavy burdens until the day of victory!

Who will disturb us now? Germany will win and she cannot help but win!

The people are ready to do anything. If the President gives an order, we will follow.

As of this time, I firmly believe that we will be victorious. We must put everything on the line to win. Because that is Germany's mission of this era.

Now, people, let us stand up resolutely! And let's create a storm!"

"Sieg Heil!!"

"Heil Hitler!!!"

Even after Goebbels' speech ended, the performance continued.

The thunderous applause continued endlessly. People's excitement did not subside easily.

Party members and non-party members, soldiers and civilians, old people and young people, men and women - everyone transcended all differences and became one, shouting for victory.

Germany's victory.

The greatest victory.