Pekunin, the GRU officer who had brought the message to Stalin, remained impassive as the head of the NKVD floundered in front of him.
“We knew for certain that some German Generals were being courted in some way, as was announced to the military group some while back. Apple Pie is the name they use, as you will recall. However, my own sources have no definite knowledge of these groups Comrade General Secretary. Rumours abound of course, but I would not bring unsubstantiated talk to your office. I deal in facts, as do you Comrade General Secretary.”
It was a reasonable dance but did not cover the fact that the GRU had hit the target long before the NKVD. It was a rare triumph for the senior GRU General and he silently savoured every second as Stalin spoke directly at Beria.
“GRU assessment of this information is that these groups may pose a threat. That their existence shows, at minimum, deep suspicion and at worst case aggressive intent by our former allies. They could also be used as a possible rallying point for any organised German force once Kingdom 39 is initiated. Your assessment?” Stalin sat back, aware of Beria’s discomfort.
“I can only agree with the interpretation of my GRU comrades and congratulate them on their diligence.” Both listeners knew how much that hurt the head of the NKVD, who was already promising himself a none too pleasant conversation with his top insider in the GRU.
“In my view we should eliminate these groups as soon as is practicable,” using the prospect of definitive action to mask his hurt.
Beria paused and conceded, “However, we cannot do so before the initiation of Kingdom, so it must be part of the initial assault plan.”
“And your reasoning for that is what comrade Marshall?” Stalin purred reasonably.
“Simply that we have beaten the German and he is cowed. A further assault on the remainder of his country, complete with destruction of the armies and air forces of his newfound friends should be sufficient to keep him cowed. We have not considered the German entering the fight in numbers and organised, having always believed the large number of refugees and POW’s would prove a huge encumbrance for the Western Allies.”
He indicated to General Pekunin and the message was passed to his expectant hand. Beria picked up where he had left off.
“A possible rallying point…. I agree. A beacon to the German soldier that his new friends accept him not as a beaten enemy but a soldier who can advise them on how to fight us. We must strike these groups,” Beria inclined his head to take in a particular word on the page, “These symposiums, and strike them hard. They must not stand Comrade General Secretary. But we cannot do so before Kingdom initiates or we risk alerting the Western Allies unnecessarily.”
“Tea, Comrade Pekunin.” Stalin was not offering, as Pekunin well understood, and he immediately moved to pour three cups.
Stalin tapped out his pipe on his hand and dropped the ash into a bin. Deep in thought, he refilled his pipe and, once satisfied, relit it and drew deeply.
“Comrade General Pekunin. I believe that Marshall Zhukov’s Chief of Staff is in Moscow visiting your department at the moment?”
“It is so, Comrade General Secretary.”
“Have him attend here at 4pm.”
“I will tell him myself Comrade Gen….”
Stalin cut in.
“Then please do so now comrade.”
Pekunin saluted and tuned on his heels, marching out of the room, his victory over Beria being slightly blotted by his obvious early dismissal by Stalin.
“The GRU put one over on you there Lavrentiy,” taunted Stalin once the large double doors had closed.
“We both serve the party and the Motherland, Comrade General Secretary, so I am content.”
“Quite so Lavrentiy,” with a grin the like of which Beria had never seen before. His inner voice whispered to him, ‘The Georgian bastard enjoyed that.’
“Your plan for the rear-areas included security measures for German officer prisoners. I suggest that you implement a broader consideration to include those in the territories we will occupy once Kingdom commences.”
“It will be done Comrade.”
“You suggested assassination of certain generals immediately prior to the attack. I do remember Comrade Zhukov rejecting that, as he would rather fight those he knew and felt were less capable than be surprised by someone new who could possibly perform well.”
Beria smarted again. It had been a good plan and had been rejected out of hand.
“I suggest you revive and modify that plan and target these,” Stalin picked up his copy of the report and read a section again for confirmation, “Symposiums Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Paderborn with the resources you had set aside for that purpose. See what assets you can provide to assist Marshall Zhukov.”
As a father comforting a son, he added.
“I will speak to him about adopting the assassination plan as you submitted. It appeals to me.”
Stalin looked up at the clock.
“It would appear that you have three hours Comrade Marshall. Your submission will then go to Zhukov for incorporation into Kingdom 39.”
When all were assembled at 1600 hrs precisely Stalin took centre stage.
Zhukov’s Chief of Staff awaited his pleasure.
“Comrade General Malinin. There are small but important additions to the plan that the GKO wishes inserted into Kingdom 39 immediately.”
Malinin stiffened automatically.
“Firstly, Marshall Beria’s assassination plan will now be included as originally put forward. That is on my order.”
There was absolutely no argument on that score.
“Secondly, Comrade Pekunin will brief you on a new development.”
Beria had to concede it was Pekunin’s right, so he did not bristle as Stalin had hoped.
Pekunin outlined the intelligence received from the Bletchley Park agent.
When he finished presenting the revised version, adapted to protect his source, he stepped back again. “Comrade General, you will understand that we must deal with the potential threat of these symposiums and so Comrade Marshall Beria’s original assassination plan has been expanded. Comrade Beria has the details.”
From the briefcase, five documents were produced, one for everyone present.
“Comrades, this is Plan Zilant, a small but very necessary plan. Comrade General Pekunin will liaise with you to ensure you are kept up to date. You will see we are still lacking some important pieces of information but those must and will be delivered.”
At that moment, he looked at Pekunin, who understood the message loud and clear.
“The sole assets already tasked in Kingdom that are required for this plan are either transport squadrons, which the GKO will authorise removing from the operational transport reserve, and a single third wave formation curiously tasked as ground infantry, whereas the unit is qualified for what we have in mind. Namely,” unusually Beria had to consult the document, “100th Guards Rifle Division ‘Svir’, which is airborne in all but name.”
Malinin knew that obviously, which was why it was lightly tasked only in phase three in order to keep an ace up the sleeve.
“The commanding officer,” again the swift consultation by Beria, “General Mayor Ivan Makarenko, has already been instructed to liaise with Comrade Pekunin to get as much up to date information with which to construct a operational format for Plan Zilant.”
The obvious breach in protocol was ignored.
Stalin stood up and spoke forcefully.
“I want this plan included in Kingdom 39 by Friday and I want these bastards dead.”
Chapter 13 – THE MISTAKE
I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I’m not sure you realise that what you heard is not what I meant.