The Kremlin
August 27, 1936
Stalin leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes, the scene before him was quite familiar. Men holding important posts within the Soviet Union’s ponderous bureaucracy sat in front of him, several of them with reports that were actually meaningful. Opening one eye, Stalin looked first to Yan Berzin, who was expected to speak about the Soviet Union’s research projects for the next several years. Afterward, Tukhachevskij had yet more news of the Franco-German War, as well as a final report from Vacietis in Iraq. These two men were, however, not alone; protocol demanded several more personages sit in the meeting as well even if they had nothing to add. These persons included Voroshilov and Yagoda, proving that they had too much time on their hands. Stalin noticed that Kaganovich had again eschewed the meeting in favor of work, an attitude that Stalin admired, for it was the sort of attitude that would allow the Soviet Union to succeed, when all was said and done.
Righting himself in his seat, Stalin held his hand open toward Berzin, funneling every man’s attention to him. “Comrade Berzin, I remember from our July 18th meeting that you said that your greatest competency was that of research and I understand that you have thus prepared a report on the Soviet Union’s technological developments, past, present and future. Please, explain in all the detail necessary.”
Berzin smiled. “Of course, Comrade Stalin. Unfortunately, unlike Comrade Kaganovich on the 3rd of August, I cannot give as detailed a timeline of future progress. I can, however, give much detail on past and current projects before going on to what I hope to accomplish in the future.”
Berzin paused, allowing Stalin to nod his acknowledgement before continuing. “At this time, five projects have completed since January 1st. The Nizny Tagil Factories have developed a basic sort of machine tool, which has increased the efficiency of existing factories. Similarly, the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant has introduced mass mechanization of agriculture, outputting vast quantities tractors. This has had a side-effect of decreasing the hands necessary at each kolkhoz, as well as increasing our supply efficiency a slight amount. I had ordered the Khar'kov Factory Design Bureau to develop a census tabulating machine, which it has finished. This project should in time aid in speeding up all subsequent research projects. The Ilyushin Design Bureau has completed their design and testing of a basic close air support craft. Finally, Yakov Alksnis, though not present at this moment, had fully developed an air doctrine based on continued army direction. These are the projects that have been completed thus far.”
Pausing again to take a deep breath and shuffle through his notes, Berzin continued. “Currently, the Nizny Tagil Factories are working on improving their machine tools. The Petlyakov Design Bureau is developing a science they refer to as ‘agrichemistry,’ and I am told that it will make our kolkhozes even more efficient. I have ordered the Kirov Factory Design Bureau to develop a machine that can be used for basic computing, working off of the work the Khar’kov Design Bureau had previously completed. Additionally, I have the Yakovlev Design Bureau working on a basic interceptor model. Finally, Yakov Alksnis has kindly continued developing air doctrine, focusing on something he calls a ‘combat air patrol.’ These are our current projects.”
This time, he did not noticeably halt to wait for an acknowledgement of Stalin’s understanding before continuing. “My future plans are a strict regime, designed to allow the most important projects completed by early 1942. My focus will be on industrial developments, as well as developments in infantry weapons, tanks, both interceptor and close air support craft and their doctrine, as well as army doctrine. As I believe we may fully agree that the decisive theater will be in Eastern Europe, I have eschewed any development into our navy or doctrine for its use. I have nothing more to say, Comrade Stalin.”
Stalin blinked and then nodded, shaking himself a bit. “Thank you, Comrade Berzin. That was most enlightening, and I hope that you will be able to keep to your strict regime, as you call it. I have faith that you will be able to. Comrade Tukhachevskij, I believe that you have something to report as well!”
Tukhachevskij took a deep breath. “Yes, Comrade Stalin. I bear tidings from Iraq as well as news of the Franco-German War. I shall speak on Iraq first, partially in Litvinov’s stead as he could not make today’s meeting. Persia finally declared war on Iraq, on the 21st of August. Eleven hours later, Vacietis finally overcame all Iraqi opposition and installed a puppet regime in the country. Thus, war in the Middle East as ended at last, Vacietis and his Persian Front is unemployed. Additionally, Litvinov realizes that the time of the Persian declaration of war and Iraqi surrender may be exploited in some way by the Persian government and he wishes some sort of directive from you as to how he should treat them.”
Stalin nodded, forcing a pause in Tukhachevskij’s speech. He used the opportunity to drink from a glass of water before continuing further. “That is all I have to mention on Iraq. The Franco-German War is in full swing now. The Germans have pushed the French back to their side of the Rhine, save for some troublesome pockets in central Germany and Czechoslovakia. I predict that the Germans will have trouble with the French Maginot Line and attempt to flank it through Belgium. Such a move would be easier for them, likely less bloody and more suited for their doctrine, which is remarkably similar to my theory of Deep Battle in that its fundamental attributes are those of maneuver and forced penetration of the enemy’s defenses.”
Tukhachevskij coughed into his sleeve and took another drink before speaking further. “Additionally, I have reports that a group of partisans, either Slovak or Hungarian I assume, in Presov. This event has cut off all of Germany’s countered Balkan territory from Germany itself, as the single road that connects these two portions of the German Empire runs through Presov. Clearing the partisans, while not an arduous task, will surely pulling a unit away from the western front. Finally, I have one more surprise to reveal. Germany declared war on Spain, leading to a British amphibious landing in the north, around Bilbao. The British have subsequently pushed southward into Saragossa. Assuming the British General Staff is competent, this will lead to the conquest of Spain and the positioning of a threat in France’s south, which will surely affect their strategic dispositions greatly. I have nothing more to add, Comrade Stalin.”
The European situation as of August 27, 1936.
Stalin nodded. “Very well, you are all dismissed.”