Where Men Become Heros in Life, and Martyrs in Death
The Coming Storm
In the years that followed after the Bolshevik revolution, and the seizer of power by the ruthless Stalin, the Soviet Union up to 1929 was in a rough, but stable shape. Once the inevitable Stock Market crash of October happened, the Soviet Union was hit hard by this economic downfall. But under the collective and stolid leadership Stalin, the economy stabilized and the Soviet Union would be first to dig itself out of the economic hole, but at the cost of millions in labor and purges of the community.
It is now 1936, the military is obsolete with the current armed forces of Europe, diplomatic relations were severed with the rest of Europe leaving only the Soviet Union, and its two puppets in the Far East. Now, the Soviet Union must rebuild its crumbling army, upgrade both the navy and the air force, and launch an enormous diplomatic campaign to increase its dwindling numbers of allies. The road ahead will be bleak and dangerous, but under the leadership of comrade Stalin, the Soviet Union will prevail, under no cost shall the Comintern fall…
It was a cold and rainy January night in the Kremlin. Everywhere you could hear foreboding patter of boots and polished shoes all across the building, traveling room to room. These sounds would come to Stalin in his four-corner office, and these men would decide the future of the Soviet Union. In the dimly illuminated office, the smell of cigar smoke was apparent and a hint of vodka as well, but today was not the day for arousing parties, business had to be conducted. The five men circled around the room included Chief of the Army Kliment Y. Voroshilov, Chief of the Navy Vladimir M. Orlov, Chief of the Air Force Yakov I. Alksnis, Foreign Minister Maksim Litvinov, and of coarse, Head of Government, Josef V. Stalin.
After the brief moment of silence, Stalin said “Good evening gentlemen, I’ve gathered you here today to discuss not only the renewal five year plan, but the coarse of action we should take with world politics.” Litvinov would rise to this statement and say “Sir, as we all know, the Soviet Union is indeed strong, but much must be done to secure its future among the European powers, a country alone will fall, I suggest that we…” Voroshilov immediately interrupted him and said doggedly, “Are you inquiring the power of the Soviet Union? Look at the charts comrade, we are able to field the largest military force out of any world power! I think that we need to expand the military force, and update it these next five years. “Oh?” said Litvinov, was it not just you who stated that we could field the largest army? And now you want to update it? “I’m just saying that…” as Voroshilov, said timidly before he was cut of again by Litvinov. “I think you need to get your priorities in check, you no good son of a…” “Gentlemen!” Stalin said as he rose from his desk, “That is all Litvinov” Stalin said, glaring into his eyes, “But sir…” Litvinov replied. “That’s enough Litvinov! Be seated gentlemen.”
“ I called you in here today, to discuss future plans for the Soviet Union, not for you to bicker!” “Now…” said Stalin more calmly than before, “What needs to be accomplished in the interior of the nation, we must first take care of ourselves, then to worry about others.” “Excuse me sir” Litvinov said, rising from his seat, “I propose that we…improve and repair the Trans-Siberian Railroad, as it is now, it takes almost six months for armed forces to reach either end. This time would be an unfortunate setback if a war broke out either in the Far East, or Central Europe.” Stalin would be nodding his head concisely as Litvinov stated his proposal, and once Litvinov was finished, Stalin said “Any objections to the ‘improvement’ of the railway?” None of the other ministers said anything.
"Then it is decided, for this year, improvements on the railways shall commence at once, now onto research.” This would be Orlov’s chance to state his position. “If you’ll allow me sir, I propose that we begin research on newer models of battleships, and in time, produce them for the glorious Red Navy, first being deployed in Europe, then the Far East.” “The man’s proposal sounds reasonable, alright, devote one research team on a new heavy class of battleships.” Said Stalin decisively. “To compensate for the air force, we shall also begin research on close support bombers” Said Stalin to Alksnis who immediately rose and said “Sir!” in a saluting way of reassurance. “I’ve seen these bombers in early stages of testing” Stalin said, “ and I believe they will be most useful to you Litvinov if the time comes.” “Now, any other ideas in research, how about you Litvinov? You’ve been silent for quiet some time…” Litvinov rose and started saying confused “I…I’m not a military man my self, but I think research on computers should benefit everyone, and I speak for the interior on that we need to update our flak anti-aircraft guns, they are horribly outdated.” Litvinov concluded confidently.
“Then it is decided, one last matter we need to attend to is foreign policy, Voroshilov, where do you propose to deploy our troops? As we all know they are scattered among the country.” Said Stalin. Voroshilov rose from his seat to this gesture and stated “Well, sir, as we know, the Trans-Siberian Railroad needs repair, so we can not move troops to either sector, so I propose that we establish three army groups, for the time being.” Voroshilov walked over to a map of the Soviet Union placed on the wall opposite of the grand window in Stalin’s office. “ We need three army groups here”, pointing to the Far East near Vladivostok, “Here”, pointing near Leningrad and the Finland boarder, “And…. here” pointing near Kiev. These three groups will establish order and stability for the time being until more pressing matters arise. All the ministers nodded in agreement, “The same shall be done to the air force as well, if Alksnis agrees…” added Voroshilov. “Seems, logical, I’ll redeploy the air force myself.” Alksnis said.
“Gentlemen, you acted collectively and concise, I applaud you for your efforts, we shall meet again in six months unless something of the utmost importance arises” Said Stalin. And so, the four men departed Stalin’s office, two would continue down the hallway, but two would stay relatively near the staircase leading down to the main hallway “He doesn’t suspect a thing…” said one figure. “Yes, this may be the only time to act, we must remove the head of the serpent so that Russia can be reborn” said the other minister….
Where Men Become Heros in Life, and Martyrs in Death
The Coming Storm
In the years that followed after the Bolshevik revolution, and the seizer of power by the ruthless Stalin, the Soviet Union up to 1929 was in a rough, but stable shape. Once the inevitable Stock Market crash of October happened, the Soviet Union was hit hard by this economic downfall. But under the collective and stolid leadership Stalin, the economy stabilized and the Soviet Union would be first to dig itself out of the economic hole, but at the cost of millions in labor and purges of the community.
It is now 1936, the military is obsolete with the current armed forces of Europe, diplomatic relations were severed with the rest of Europe leaving only the Soviet Union, and its two puppets in the Far East. Now, the Soviet Union must rebuild its crumbling army, upgrade both the navy and the air force, and launch an enormous diplomatic campaign to increase its dwindling numbers of allies. The road ahead will be bleak and dangerous, but under the leadership of comrade Stalin, the Soviet Union will prevail, under no cost shall the Comintern fall…
It was a cold and rainy January night in the Kremlin. Everywhere you could hear foreboding patter of boots and polished shoes all across the building, traveling room to room. These sounds would come to Stalin in his four-corner office, and these men would decide the future of the Soviet Union. In the dimly illuminated office, the smell of cigar smoke was apparent and a hint of vodka as well, but today was not the day for arousing parties, business had to be conducted. The five men circled around the room included Chief of the Army Kliment Y. Voroshilov, Chief of the Navy Vladimir M. Orlov, Chief of the Air Force Yakov I. Alksnis, Foreign Minister Maksim Litvinov, and of coarse, Head of Government, Josef V. Stalin.
Stalin's Cabinet
After the brief moment of silence, Stalin said “Good evening gentlemen, I’ve gathered you here today to discuss not only the renewal five year plan, but the coarse of action we should take with world politics.” Litvinov would rise to this statement and say “Sir, as we all know, the Soviet Union is indeed strong, but much must be done to secure its future among the European powers, a country alone will fall, I suggest that we…” Voroshilov immediately interrupted him and said doggedly, “Are you inquiring the power of the Soviet Union? Look at the charts comrade, we are able to field the largest military force out of any world power! I think that we need to expand the military force, and update it these next five years. “Oh?” said Litvinov, was it not just you who stated that we could field the largest army? And now you want to update it? “I’m just saying that…” as Voroshilov, said timidly before he was cut of again by Litvinov. “I think you need to get your priorities in check, you no good son of a…” “Gentlemen!” Stalin said as he rose from his desk, “That is all Litvinov” Stalin said, glaring into his eyes, “But sir…” Litvinov replied. “That’s enough Litvinov! Be seated gentlemen.”
“ I called you in here today, to discuss future plans for the Soviet Union, not for you to bicker!” “Now…” said Stalin more calmly than before, “What needs to be accomplished in the interior of the nation, we must first take care of ourselves, then to worry about others.” “Excuse me sir” Litvinov said, rising from his seat, “I propose that we…improve and repair the Trans-Siberian Railroad, as it is now, it takes almost six months for armed forces to reach either end. This time would be an unfortunate setback if a war broke out either in the Far East, or Central Europe.” Stalin would be nodding his head concisely as Litvinov stated his proposal, and once Litvinov was finished, Stalin said “Any objections to the ‘improvement’ of the railway?” None of the other ministers said anything.
Construction begins on the Trans-Siberian Railroad
"Then it is decided, for this year, improvements on the railways shall commence at once, now onto research.” This would be Orlov’s chance to state his position. “If you’ll allow me sir, I propose that we begin research on newer models of battleships, and in time, produce them for the glorious Red Navy, first being deployed in Europe, then the Far East.” “The man’s proposal sounds reasonable, alright, devote one research team on a new heavy class of battleships.” Said Stalin decisively. “To compensate for the air force, we shall also begin research on close support bombers” Said Stalin to Alksnis who immediately rose and said “Sir!” in a saluting way of reassurance. “I’ve seen these bombers in early stages of testing” Stalin said, “ and I believe they will be most useful to you Litvinov if the time comes.” “Now, any other ideas in research, how about you Litvinov? You’ve been silent for quiet some time…” Litvinov rose and started saying confused “I…I’m not a military man my self, but I think research on computers should benefit everyone, and I speak for the interior on that we need to update our flak anti-aircraft guns, they are horribly outdated.” Litvinov concluded confidently.
Research requested by ministers
“Then it is decided, one last matter we need to attend to is foreign policy, Voroshilov, where do you propose to deploy our troops? As we all know they are scattered among the country.” Said Stalin. Voroshilov rose from his seat to this gesture and stated “Well, sir, as we know, the Trans-Siberian Railroad needs repair, so we can not move troops to either sector, so I propose that we establish three army groups, for the time being.” Voroshilov walked over to a map of the Soviet Union placed on the wall opposite of the grand window in Stalin’s office. “ We need three army groups here”, pointing to the Far East near Vladivostok, “Here”, pointing near Leningrad and the Finland boarder, “And…. here” pointing near Kiev. These three groups will establish order and stability for the time being until more pressing matters arise. All the ministers nodded in agreement, “The same shall be done to the air force as well, if Alksnis agrees…” added Voroshilov. “Seems, logical, I’ll redeploy the air force myself.” Alksnis said.
Troops are deployed according to Voroshilov
“Gentlemen, you acted collectively and concise, I applaud you for your efforts, we shall meet again in six months unless something of the utmost importance arises” Said Stalin. And so, the four men departed Stalin’s office, two would continue down the hallway, but two would stay relatively near the staircase leading down to the main hallway “He doesn’t suspect a thing…” said one figure. “Yes, this may be the only time to act, we must remove the head of the serpent so that Russia can be reborn” said the other minister….
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