Part I: Ledokol*
* Ledokol - Russian for Icebreaker or Iceboat.
German Fascism is nothing but the Icebreaker of the Revolution. German Fascism may start a war, which will lead to World Revolution. So let the Icebreaker to break Europe. Hitler to Stalin is like a purifying storm of Europe. Hitler may do things, which Stalin finds uncomfortable to do himself. (Viktor Suvorov, "Ledokol")
Who started the World War II? Scores of historians tirelessly repeat like parrots that it was Nazi Germany, led by her maniacal Furher, which brew, bottled and served this appalling conflict. Let them argue their case, while the few doubtful open their ears to the new kind of truth - a naked, bare truth, horrifying in its simplicity and, strangely satisfying, as it answers fully the scores of questions any of us were not able to get the answers to from the so-called official version of history.
Official history is a very strange kind of history. For example, in September of '39 Stalin officially stated that it is Poland that shall bear the full responsibility for war. A month or so later, he officially blamed Britain and France for escalating the conflict. Needless to say, further down the road his list included Germany and Italy, while the end of the war saw him and the Communist Party blaming all capitalist countries of the world. If one remembers that before the war all sovereign countries of the world except the Soviet Union were considered by Communist to be capitalist, it means that the most appalling conflict of the mankind was started by all, including Switzerland and Sweden, but not the Soviet Union. Let us not be led into temptation to argue the opposite case. We will let the facts speak for themselves.
If one was to follow closely the rhetoric of the Communist Party during '20s and early '30s, one would notice that contrary to popular belief the idea of the World Revolution did not die with the failure to start one after the World War I. Although the opportunity was lost, the Communists believed that one is the smith of his own future. As soon as Civil War was over, they began planning for another war. As their ideologists told them that another big War is another Revolution, they began preparing another World War, aiming to spread the Revolution as far as Argentina and New Zeeland. And, of course, Stalin was at the heart of all this from the very beginning - the very same "blind" Stalin, who according to official history refused to believe the war is near.
How does one start a war and avoids being called the aggressor? Stalin and the Party decided that someone else should do the dirty work, while they shall reap the benefits. Fascism in '20s was just a baby. They nurtured that baby, they took care of it as it if it was their own. On the other hand, maybe it was.
When Germany was denied the right to maintain a large army it was Soviet Union that allowed them to train on Russian territory. When Germany lacked resources it was Soviet Union that delivered. When Germany lacked courage it was Stalin who gave them a green light. Make no mistake, it was Stalin who started the Second World War. Hitler was just an accomplice. He dreamed of world domination, but in reality he was nothing but the Icebreaker of the Revolution.
January 1st, 1936. Soviet Union declares war on Persia. By itself the country may be a nice bonus with its rich oil fields and... well, rich oil fields may be a good enough reason to start a war. In reality, however, Soviet economy will not be effected greatly by Persian oil alone. On the other hand, if Russia was to capture Iraq and the rest of the Middle East, it would be a different story altogether. Stalin masks these thoughts with the old Russian Imperial dream of getting the access to the Indian Ocean. In truth, it is the common border with Great Britain and her puppets that he desires the most.
The attack on Persia is led by Timoshenko, who is put in command of 1st Tank Army. Soviet Tank Armies consist at the time of 2 tank corps, 1 mechanized corps and 1 support rifle division accompanied by artillery brigade (In 1936 there are only 2 Tank Armies in the Soviet Union). In addition, Stalin throws south 2 cavalry divisions, 2 mountain infantry divisions and 1st Bomber Division. The operation, code-named "Razin" (named after famous Russian outlaw, who raided the shores of Persia in the past) , is a complete success, with Soviet forces meeting little resistance from the enemy. The biggest challenge comes from Iranian mountains and deserts. This is where the "ancient" Soviet cavalry comes in handy. By March 30th the Soviet forces are in complete control of the country and the Persian leadership has but one option left - accept the offer of annexation to ease the suffering of the population.
In the same time the Icebreaker begins its gruesome job in Europe in Africa. On March 6th Germany marches the troops to re-occupy Rhineland and Italy annexes Ethiopia. In the east, Nationalist China crushes the Communist uprising on April 14th. Not to worry, the Party will use this as an example of capitalist aggression to justify Soviet further conquests in Asia.
August 25th, 1936. Soviet Union declares war on Afghanistan. 4 mountain infantry and 2 cavalry divisions, supported by 1st Air Army (3 bomber and 3 fighter divisions), under brilliant leadership of Voroshilov, Tolbukhin and Iakovlev, invade the country for no apparent reason. As for unapparent reasons - Stalin simply wants to extend the Soviet border with British India. The other unapparent reason reveals itself later.
The war with Afghanistan lasts a bit longer than with Persia. The country is populated with warlike, aggressive tribes, who take aggression against them very seriously. Their only weakness is the fact that they still live in the Middle Ages, although their equipment suggests military aid from Great Britain. Soviet strategy is to bomb the enemy into submission, take Kabul, cut the enemy supply lines and then finish him off one province at the time using air support to the fullest extent possible. The proposed operation is named "Pugachev" (yet another outlaw and rebel, not related to Afghanistan in any way, but the name will nicely compliment the previous operation), put in motion on September 1st and finished successfully on December 5th. The last Afghani province to surrender is Kandahar, which still contained a large enemy pocket of some 60,000 willing to fight troops. The lack of food and ammo, however, broke the spirit of even the most eager fighters. Soviet losses during operation "Pugachev" amounted to 10,000 men and 100+ bombers.
A month later a Civil War breaks out in Spain. While Stalin wants fascists to succeed in destabilizing Europe, the need to contain the movement to Germany and Italy presses him to send aid to Republicans. In the same time, frustrated with slow rate of research and low production, he orders to speed them up in expense of the civilian sector. People are not happy with these development and dissent increases rapidly. Some officers openly show their discontent with government policies. Certain minister openly opposes Stalin, blissfully unaware that he is about to drop dead in his own home. The terror of the Great Purge is about to be unleashed on foe and friend alike. After the war historians will call it the biggest mistake of Stalin. They simply won't be able to see the method behind the madness.
There is only one simple explanation for the purge of the officer corps. A military machine, like any other machinery, needs a periodic tune up. If left alone, it tends to get needlessly bureaucratic, over hierarchical, slow and incompetent. Stalin does not randomly rid the army of officers. Only the ones infamous for their military blunders (Tuhachevsky, for example, was responsible for a defeat in Soviet-Polish war after the Revolution) or the ones known for the lack of loyalty bear the burden of Stalin's oppression. Some are shot, more are send off to work camps. Majority of the latter return in a year or two to service, their attitudes changed, their ideology corrected, their eagerness unlimited. Among them Marshall Rokossovskiy.
Dissent disappears, the country is on its knees, the Communist Party, which Stalin does not spare from the punishment, is again ready to follow its leader.
May 4th, 1937. Republicans in Spain succeed in putting down fascist uprising. Scores of communists, who fought there against fascist hydra, turn to politics and enjoy there even greater success than on the battlefield. By June 2nd Spain finds itself a member of the Comintern.
By August Nationalist China takes care of its claims in the west and braces itself for the inevitable conflict with Japan. Seeing the need to organize the eastern border, Stalin informs Tannu Tuva than despite their best behavior and admirable form of government (Stalinist) they will have to accept annexation. Period. So they do without resistance (no standing army, the country is occupied within a two weeks by single cavalry division).
The world moves on without a notice. Much more attention is paid to the events in the Far East where Imperial Japan makes a simultaneous attack on China and Netherlands. What does Stalin do? Safe in the knowledge that Japanese have their hands full he orders transfer of 5 rifle divisions to the west.
This marks a start of secret mobilization and re-organization. Three new rifle armies are born in addition to three existing ones. 2nd Rifle Army's task is to guard Vladivostok against possible Japanese aggression and assist Mongolia if there is a need for assistance. 1st and 3rd Rifle Armies are placed at Soviet-Finnish border, while 4th, 5th and 6th guard the border with Poland.
In theory one Rifle Army includes 6 rifle divisions, 1 mechanized corps, 1 tank corps, 2 artillery brigades, 2 anti-tank brigades, 1 anti-aircraft brigade and 1 engineer brigade. Sometimes tank corps may be substituted for cavalry division and mechanized corps for motorized corps. In reality, instead of 80,000 men, 1 rifle army amounts for 60,000-70,000, with many lacking armor support. However, as new types of tanks are being researched, the Party plans to equip the army with sufficient amount of tanks and, possibly, create 2-3 new tank armies before the start of hostilities. But how does one know when the hostilities will start. One helps them to start on the day of his own choosing, of course.
The 1938 comes and with it the ice of Europe begins to crack. Stalin's Icebreaker, Furher of Germany, tries to grab anything that isn't tied down. In March Germany brings Austria to alliance, as former rejects the offer of annexation. Seeing this Stalin orders to slightly speed up mobilization at expense of research.
In September of '38 Germany signs a treaty with Allies (at this time Great Britain and her puppet states together with France) at Munich, which gives Sudetenland to Germany. In return Hitler swears this is going to be his last demand. Czechs agree to cede their border territories and, with them, a network of fortifications, thus stripping themselves off their last defense against Germany. Needless to say, the Icebreaker does not stop there. By January of '39 Germany presses Austria to accept annexation and by March Lithuania is forced to cede Memel. A few days before the world witnesses the demise of Czechoslovakia. Bohemia and Moravia go to Germany, while Slovakia has to cede Ruthenia to Hungary and join Axis.
March 26th, 1938. Italy offers Albanian government to accept annexation without a fight. Using a lot of words, Albanians refuse. Since they do not have an army to back up those words they still get annexed in the end (it took Italy three weeks to annex Albania - about as long as they needed to march their troops to closest port, load them on transports and cross the Adriatic).
In April Hungary joins Slovakia in Axis alliance and Hitler, drunk with excitement, demands Danzig from Poles. Proud as always, Poles rebuff the Furher. After all, did not they send Tuhachevsky back to Russia with his tail between his legs just a decade and a half ago? However, they are not so proud to refuse the offer of alliance from Britain and France, recognizing that the times might have changed and odds are not in Poland's favor.
For awhile it seems as though the Icebreaker got stuck in the ice and Soviet plans for world domination will remain just plans on the paper. Without revolution in Germany there will be no revolution in Europe and thus, there will be no world revolution. Then comes Molotov, the bad cop in Stalin-Molotov duo, and heats things up. Pulling on strings only him and Stalin knew about, he arranges for Furher and Ribbentrop to come to him with proposal to attack Poland together and divide the spoils of war between Germany and Soviet Union. What Germans do not know is that Great Britain and France are already trying to bring Soviet Union into alliance against Germany. They opened their cards to Stalin, who knows now that if Germany attacks Poland, both Great Britain and France will declare war against Germany.
And so it is left up to Stalin to decide whether there should be a war or not. He has several options in hand. On one hand, if he decides to stop Germany's aggression, all he has to do is to let Hitler know than an attack on Poland will spell into two-front war for Germany - a war that the latter can never hope to win. On the other hand, if he is to stab Germany, while it is bogged down in the west, Stalin has to simply agree to partition of Poland, breaking all the borders that stand between Soviet Union and Germany. Let the Icebreaker take care of Soviet enemies, let those capitalist fools fight each other for petty stripes of land. And when they exhaust themselves, then and only then he shall declare a just and righteous war of liberation.
August 24th, 1939. Soviet Union and Germany sign a non-aggression pact, later to be know as Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. Stalin agrees to support Germany in their war against Poland. In return Hitler promises Stalin eastern half of Poland and supports Soviet claims on Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania. Stalin, dropping his usual calm, dances in Kremlin, happy to see his plans come together. "Ice is broken", he sings, "ice is broken".
* Ledokol - Russian for Icebreaker or Iceboat.
German Fascism is nothing but the Icebreaker of the Revolution. German Fascism may start a war, which will lead to World Revolution. So let the Icebreaker to break Europe. Hitler to Stalin is like a purifying storm of Europe. Hitler may do things, which Stalin finds uncomfortable to do himself. (Viktor Suvorov, "Ledokol")
Who started the World War II? Scores of historians tirelessly repeat like parrots that it was Nazi Germany, led by her maniacal Furher, which brew, bottled and served this appalling conflict. Let them argue their case, while the few doubtful open their ears to the new kind of truth - a naked, bare truth, horrifying in its simplicity and, strangely satisfying, as it answers fully the scores of questions any of us were not able to get the answers to from the so-called official version of history.
Official history is a very strange kind of history. For example, in September of '39 Stalin officially stated that it is Poland that shall bear the full responsibility for war. A month or so later, he officially blamed Britain and France for escalating the conflict. Needless to say, further down the road his list included Germany and Italy, while the end of the war saw him and the Communist Party blaming all capitalist countries of the world. If one remembers that before the war all sovereign countries of the world except the Soviet Union were considered by Communist to be capitalist, it means that the most appalling conflict of the mankind was started by all, including Switzerland and Sweden, but not the Soviet Union. Let us not be led into temptation to argue the opposite case. We will let the facts speak for themselves.
If one was to follow closely the rhetoric of the Communist Party during '20s and early '30s, one would notice that contrary to popular belief the idea of the World Revolution did not die with the failure to start one after the World War I. Although the opportunity was lost, the Communists believed that one is the smith of his own future. As soon as Civil War was over, they began planning for another war. As their ideologists told them that another big War is another Revolution, they began preparing another World War, aiming to spread the Revolution as far as Argentina and New Zeeland. And, of course, Stalin was at the heart of all this from the very beginning - the very same "blind" Stalin, who according to official history refused to believe the war is near.
How does one start a war and avoids being called the aggressor? Stalin and the Party decided that someone else should do the dirty work, while they shall reap the benefits. Fascism in '20s was just a baby. They nurtured that baby, they took care of it as it if it was their own. On the other hand, maybe it was.
When Germany was denied the right to maintain a large army it was Soviet Union that allowed them to train on Russian territory. When Germany lacked resources it was Soviet Union that delivered. When Germany lacked courage it was Stalin who gave them a green light. Make no mistake, it was Stalin who started the Second World War. Hitler was just an accomplice. He dreamed of world domination, but in reality he was nothing but the Icebreaker of the Revolution.
January 1st, 1936. Soviet Union declares war on Persia. By itself the country may be a nice bonus with its rich oil fields and... well, rich oil fields may be a good enough reason to start a war. In reality, however, Soviet economy will not be effected greatly by Persian oil alone. On the other hand, if Russia was to capture Iraq and the rest of the Middle East, it would be a different story altogether. Stalin masks these thoughts with the old Russian Imperial dream of getting the access to the Indian Ocean. In truth, it is the common border with Great Britain and her puppets that he desires the most.
The attack on Persia is led by Timoshenko, who is put in command of 1st Tank Army. Soviet Tank Armies consist at the time of 2 tank corps, 1 mechanized corps and 1 support rifle division accompanied by artillery brigade (In 1936 there are only 2 Tank Armies in the Soviet Union). In addition, Stalin throws south 2 cavalry divisions, 2 mountain infantry divisions and 1st Bomber Division. The operation, code-named "Razin" (named after famous Russian outlaw, who raided the shores of Persia in the past) , is a complete success, with Soviet forces meeting little resistance from the enemy. The biggest challenge comes from Iranian mountains and deserts. This is where the "ancient" Soviet cavalry comes in handy. By March 30th the Soviet forces are in complete control of the country and the Persian leadership has but one option left - accept the offer of annexation to ease the suffering of the population.
In the same time the Icebreaker begins its gruesome job in Europe in Africa. On March 6th Germany marches the troops to re-occupy Rhineland and Italy annexes Ethiopia. In the east, Nationalist China crushes the Communist uprising on April 14th. Not to worry, the Party will use this as an example of capitalist aggression to justify Soviet further conquests in Asia.
August 25th, 1936. Soviet Union declares war on Afghanistan. 4 mountain infantry and 2 cavalry divisions, supported by 1st Air Army (3 bomber and 3 fighter divisions), under brilliant leadership of Voroshilov, Tolbukhin and Iakovlev, invade the country for no apparent reason. As for unapparent reasons - Stalin simply wants to extend the Soviet border with British India. The other unapparent reason reveals itself later.
The war with Afghanistan lasts a bit longer than with Persia. The country is populated with warlike, aggressive tribes, who take aggression against them very seriously. Their only weakness is the fact that they still live in the Middle Ages, although their equipment suggests military aid from Great Britain. Soviet strategy is to bomb the enemy into submission, take Kabul, cut the enemy supply lines and then finish him off one province at the time using air support to the fullest extent possible. The proposed operation is named "Pugachev" (yet another outlaw and rebel, not related to Afghanistan in any way, but the name will nicely compliment the previous operation), put in motion on September 1st and finished successfully on December 5th. The last Afghani province to surrender is Kandahar, which still contained a large enemy pocket of some 60,000 willing to fight troops. The lack of food and ammo, however, broke the spirit of even the most eager fighters. Soviet losses during operation "Pugachev" amounted to 10,000 men and 100+ bombers.
A month later a Civil War breaks out in Spain. While Stalin wants fascists to succeed in destabilizing Europe, the need to contain the movement to Germany and Italy presses him to send aid to Republicans. In the same time, frustrated with slow rate of research and low production, he orders to speed them up in expense of the civilian sector. People are not happy with these development and dissent increases rapidly. Some officers openly show their discontent with government policies. Certain minister openly opposes Stalin, blissfully unaware that he is about to drop dead in his own home. The terror of the Great Purge is about to be unleashed on foe and friend alike. After the war historians will call it the biggest mistake of Stalin. They simply won't be able to see the method behind the madness.
There is only one simple explanation for the purge of the officer corps. A military machine, like any other machinery, needs a periodic tune up. If left alone, it tends to get needlessly bureaucratic, over hierarchical, slow and incompetent. Stalin does not randomly rid the army of officers. Only the ones infamous for their military blunders (Tuhachevsky, for example, was responsible for a defeat in Soviet-Polish war after the Revolution) or the ones known for the lack of loyalty bear the burden of Stalin's oppression. Some are shot, more are send off to work camps. Majority of the latter return in a year or two to service, their attitudes changed, their ideology corrected, their eagerness unlimited. Among them Marshall Rokossovskiy.
Dissent disappears, the country is on its knees, the Communist Party, which Stalin does not spare from the punishment, is again ready to follow its leader.
May 4th, 1937. Republicans in Spain succeed in putting down fascist uprising. Scores of communists, who fought there against fascist hydra, turn to politics and enjoy there even greater success than on the battlefield. By June 2nd Spain finds itself a member of the Comintern.
By August Nationalist China takes care of its claims in the west and braces itself for the inevitable conflict with Japan. Seeing the need to organize the eastern border, Stalin informs Tannu Tuva than despite their best behavior and admirable form of government (Stalinist) they will have to accept annexation. Period. So they do without resistance (no standing army, the country is occupied within a two weeks by single cavalry division).
The world moves on without a notice. Much more attention is paid to the events in the Far East where Imperial Japan makes a simultaneous attack on China and Netherlands. What does Stalin do? Safe in the knowledge that Japanese have their hands full he orders transfer of 5 rifle divisions to the west.
This marks a start of secret mobilization and re-organization. Three new rifle armies are born in addition to three existing ones. 2nd Rifle Army's task is to guard Vladivostok against possible Japanese aggression and assist Mongolia if there is a need for assistance. 1st and 3rd Rifle Armies are placed at Soviet-Finnish border, while 4th, 5th and 6th guard the border with Poland.
In theory one Rifle Army includes 6 rifle divisions, 1 mechanized corps, 1 tank corps, 2 artillery brigades, 2 anti-tank brigades, 1 anti-aircraft brigade and 1 engineer brigade. Sometimes tank corps may be substituted for cavalry division and mechanized corps for motorized corps. In reality, instead of 80,000 men, 1 rifle army amounts for 60,000-70,000, with many lacking armor support. However, as new types of tanks are being researched, the Party plans to equip the army with sufficient amount of tanks and, possibly, create 2-3 new tank armies before the start of hostilities. But how does one know when the hostilities will start. One helps them to start on the day of his own choosing, of course.
The 1938 comes and with it the ice of Europe begins to crack. Stalin's Icebreaker, Furher of Germany, tries to grab anything that isn't tied down. In March Germany brings Austria to alliance, as former rejects the offer of annexation. Seeing this Stalin orders to slightly speed up mobilization at expense of research.
In September of '38 Germany signs a treaty with Allies (at this time Great Britain and her puppet states together with France) at Munich, which gives Sudetenland to Germany. In return Hitler swears this is going to be his last demand. Czechs agree to cede their border territories and, with them, a network of fortifications, thus stripping themselves off their last defense against Germany. Needless to say, the Icebreaker does not stop there. By January of '39 Germany presses Austria to accept annexation and by March Lithuania is forced to cede Memel. A few days before the world witnesses the demise of Czechoslovakia. Bohemia and Moravia go to Germany, while Slovakia has to cede Ruthenia to Hungary and join Axis.
March 26th, 1938. Italy offers Albanian government to accept annexation without a fight. Using a lot of words, Albanians refuse. Since they do not have an army to back up those words they still get annexed in the end (it took Italy three weeks to annex Albania - about as long as they needed to march their troops to closest port, load them on transports and cross the Adriatic).
In April Hungary joins Slovakia in Axis alliance and Hitler, drunk with excitement, demands Danzig from Poles. Proud as always, Poles rebuff the Furher. After all, did not they send Tuhachevsky back to Russia with his tail between his legs just a decade and a half ago? However, they are not so proud to refuse the offer of alliance from Britain and France, recognizing that the times might have changed and odds are not in Poland's favor.
For awhile it seems as though the Icebreaker got stuck in the ice and Soviet plans for world domination will remain just plans on the paper. Without revolution in Germany there will be no revolution in Europe and thus, there will be no world revolution. Then comes Molotov, the bad cop in Stalin-Molotov duo, and heats things up. Pulling on strings only him and Stalin knew about, he arranges for Furher and Ribbentrop to come to him with proposal to attack Poland together and divide the spoils of war between Germany and Soviet Union. What Germans do not know is that Great Britain and France are already trying to bring Soviet Union into alliance against Germany. They opened their cards to Stalin, who knows now that if Germany attacks Poland, both Great Britain and France will declare war against Germany.
And so it is left up to Stalin to decide whether there should be a war or not. He has several options in hand. On one hand, if he decides to stop Germany's aggression, all he has to do is to let Hitler know than an attack on Poland will spell into two-front war for Germany - a war that the latter can never hope to win. On the other hand, if he is to stab Germany, while it is bogged down in the west, Stalin has to simply agree to partition of Poland, breaking all the borders that stand between Soviet Union and Germany. Let the Icebreaker take care of Soviet enemies, let those capitalist fools fight each other for petty stripes of land. And when they exhaust themselves, then and only then he shall declare a just and righteous war of liberation.
August 24th, 1939. Soviet Union and Germany sign a non-aggression pact, later to be know as Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. Stalin agrees to support Germany in their war against Poland. In return Hitler promises Stalin eastern half of Poland and supports Soviet claims on Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania. Stalin, dropping his usual calm, dances in Kremlin, happy to see his plans come together. "Ice is broken", he sings, "ice is broken".
