EMERGENCY MEETING - Moscow 03:00 April 30, 1939
Uritskiy: Welcome and thank you for coming on such short notice, gentlemen. Comrade Stalin, I know you have had a long day. I and the entire cabinet apologize for waking you.
Stalin: That's enough. Fortunately comrades, I had to get an early start today anyhow. So what is this all about? Let's get to it.
Litvinov: I am sure you have all read the newspapers. Germany invaded Denmark yesterday...
Stalin: We should not be concerned with squabbles amongst the capitalists! Of much greater concern is last week's annexation of Yugoslavia by this so-called Axis.
Litvinov: Yes comrade Stalin. But just a few hours ago, the British Prime Minister announced that the Allies are now at war with the Axis nations. Please direct your attention to this situation diagram:
Stalin: So those spineless imperialists finally showed some courage after all. Great! Now while the capitalists and fascists fight it out, we can modernize our army. You got me out of bed for this??
Shaposhnikov: Speaking for the military chiefs, I would like to present some concerns, comrade Stalin. The army leadership concurs in believing that the German wehrmacht will conclude the conquest of France and Poland with unprecedented speed. This means, of course, that once we occupy East Poland in accordance with our agreement with Germany, we will share a direct land border with the fascists. Therefore I have ordered mobilization of the army and airforce. *nods to the Air Chief whilst unrolling a map on the table*
Stalin: Mobilization now?? That decision is questionable at best. The economy is still in recovery after our titanic struggle with traitorous elements! How will we feed and provide for all of these soldiers? No... No. The defense of the Motherland comes first. Go on.
Loktionov: Aircraft and pilots have been formed into squadrons and based around greater Moscow for shakedown flights and training. The air arm has reached it's full strength of 12 bomber and 20 fighter squadrons just in time.
Loktionov: Of special note is an official complaint lodged by the British embassy from a high-ranking official named Cicero. This man expressed extreme disapproval at the number of planes produced by the Soviet Union. A quote taken from the complaint text: 'All of those junk planes are worthless against jets.'
I took the liberty of contacting the central air design bureau to inquire regarding what exactly he might be talking about. I am told certain nations, including Germany and England, are pouring money into developing a type of aircraft powered by some sort of rocket or turbine engine that could theoretically reach supersonic speeds.
Stalin: Ahhhh! Ha Ha Ha Ha! *laughter breaks out across the room*
*wipes tears from his eyes* Oh! What is it with these capitalists and their love of science fiction? Jets! *laughter*
*pulls out a handkerchief* Ahem. Marshal Shaposhnikov, you mentioned that the Germans would conquer with great speed. How exactly will this be done?
Shaposhnikov: A very important point, comrade Stalin. Key German generals including Guderian, Rommel, and a new upstart known as Tomar have been experimenting with a doctrine called 'Blitzkrieg'. This idea calls for massed armor and air power moving at high speed to get behind enemy troops and cut off thier retreat lanes. Our agents in Germany report that this technique was very sucessful in Yugoslavia. *nods to the Army Chief*
Voroshilov: Comrade Stalin, I am personally convinced that this new general Tomar is a master of armored warfare. After reading reports from the action in Yugoslavia, I predict both Poland and France shall be overrun in a matter of weeks. After that, if Hitler's writings may serve as a guide, we may be next.
Our plan to stop or at least slow down this new style of warfare revolves around 2 concepts. The top priority is a strong air arm. Only massed bomber formations stand any chance of disrupting the heavy tanks Germany is expected to field. Almost as important is the reworking of our own tanks. 10-20 divisions of the new t-34 70mm tank are rolling off the factory lines even as we speak today. Have a look at this specification sheet:
Stalin: Comrades, your patriotic concerns are noted and appreciated. Remember, the defense of the Motherland stands above me, you, and anyone else. Nothing is more important. This meeting is dismissed.
Uritskiy: Welcome and thank you for coming on such short notice, gentlemen. Comrade Stalin, I know you have had a long day. I and the entire cabinet apologize for waking you.
Stalin: That's enough. Fortunately comrades, I had to get an early start today anyhow. So what is this all about? Let's get to it.
Litvinov: I am sure you have all read the newspapers. Germany invaded Denmark yesterday...
Stalin: We should not be concerned with squabbles amongst the capitalists! Of much greater concern is last week's annexation of Yugoslavia by this so-called Axis.
Litvinov: Yes comrade Stalin. But just a few hours ago, the British Prime Minister announced that the Allies are now at war with the Axis nations. Please direct your attention to this situation diagram:
Stalin: So those spineless imperialists finally showed some courage after all. Great! Now while the capitalists and fascists fight it out, we can modernize our army. You got me out of bed for this??
Shaposhnikov: Speaking for the military chiefs, I would like to present some concerns, comrade Stalin. The army leadership concurs in believing that the German wehrmacht will conclude the conquest of France and Poland with unprecedented speed. This means, of course, that once we occupy East Poland in accordance with our agreement with Germany, we will share a direct land border with the fascists. Therefore I have ordered mobilization of the army and airforce. *nods to the Air Chief whilst unrolling a map on the table*
Stalin: Mobilization now?? That decision is questionable at best. The economy is still in recovery after our titanic struggle with traitorous elements! How will we feed and provide for all of these soldiers? No... No. The defense of the Motherland comes first. Go on.
Loktionov: Aircraft and pilots have been formed into squadrons and based around greater Moscow for shakedown flights and training. The air arm has reached it's full strength of 12 bomber and 20 fighter squadrons just in time.
Loktionov: Of special note is an official complaint lodged by the British embassy from a high-ranking official named Cicero. This man expressed extreme disapproval at the number of planes produced by the Soviet Union. A quote taken from the complaint text: 'All of those junk planes are worthless against jets.'
I took the liberty of contacting the central air design bureau to inquire regarding what exactly he might be talking about. I am told certain nations, including Germany and England, are pouring money into developing a type of aircraft powered by some sort of rocket or turbine engine that could theoretically reach supersonic speeds.
Stalin: Ahhhh! Ha Ha Ha Ha! *laughter breaks out across the room*
*wipes tears from his eyes* Oh! What is it with these capitalists and their love of science fiction? Jets! *laughter*
*pulls out a handkerchief* Ahem. Marshal Shaposhnikov, you mentioned that the Germans would conquer with great speed. How exactly will this be done?
Shaposhnikov: A very important point, comrade Stalin. Key German generals including Guderian, Rommel, and a new upstart known as Tomar have been experimenting with a doctrine called 'Blitzkrieg'. This idea calls for massed armor and air power moving at high speed to get behind enemy troops and cut off thier retreat lanes. Our agents in Germany report that this technique was very sucessful in Yugoslavia. *nods to the Army Chief*
Voroshilov: Comrade Stalin, I am personally convinced that this new general Tomar is a master of armored warfare. After reading reports from the action in Yugoslavia, I predict both Poland and France shall be overrun in a matter of weeks. After that, if Hitler's writings may serve as a guide, we may be next.
Our plan to stop or at least slow down this new style of warfare revolves around 2 concepts. The top priority is a strong air arm. Only massed bomber formations stand any chance of disrupting the heavy tanks Germany is expected to field. Almost as important is the reworking of our own tanks. 10-20 divisions of the new t-34 70mm tank are rolling off the factory lines even as we speak today. Have a look at this specification sheet:
Stalin: Comrades, your patriotic concerns are noted and appreciated. Remember, the defense of the Motherland stands above me, you, and anyone else. Nothing is more important. This meeting is dismissed.
He he. Wonderful. More please. 
