September 7, 1939 – Moscow, The Kremlin
Vyacheslav hurried up the steep stone stairs. Not for the first time Molotov wished the boss didn’t favor such late meetings. He had already endured a long afternoon with Stalin and a rather boisterous dinner. Now he was summoned back for some reason, what he could only imagine. Finally reaching the top of the stairs he paused for a second and took a breath. It was then that he noticed the guards. They weren’t the regular security, Molotov knew the men, in fact he had memorized their names and often flattered them with a personal greeting, or a small present. Several times this had resulted in information or rumor that had been of use to the foreign secretary. But he recognized none of the men. Indeed he noticed the tabs on the collars were purple…regular NKVD guards. For a moment he contemplated turning around but instead he drew a deep breath and continued down the corridor to the theater.
One of the guards stood politely back and opened the door to Stalin’s private cinema. Unlike most nights the room was not half lit and full with the sound of one of Stalin’s favorite films. Instead the lights were all on and more than a dozen men stood nervously smoking. Quickly Molotov took them in, Beria was standing against the wall eyeing the door. Of all the men in the room he looked the calmest, almost serene. Vyacheslav went up to the secret policeman.
Molotov spoke, “Comrade it is good to see you looking well. I see that we are well attended tonight.” Beria said nothing but took another drag on his cigarette and stared at the foreign minister. Molotov continued, changing tact “Perhaps we will have a good American film tonight? One of the boss’s favorites.” Beria actually chucked. The sound sent a chill down the foreign minister’s spine. He eyed Molotov and took a long drag on his cigarette. Then dropped it to the marbled floor and stubbed it out.
“There has been a rather shocking development Comrade Minister.” Began Beria “A little after 10 P.M. tonight the boss was going down the long stairs and he….” Beria paused and cocked his head sideway, staring at Molotov “fell. He fell very very hard Comrade Minister. Down two full flights of stone stairs.” Molotov took the information in and turned in over in his mind. He fought the urge to look at the door, instead he reached out and took a cup and saucer from the table near them both. He went to the nearby samovar and poured out some strong tea. Fighting the urge to shake he calmly took a sip, waiting. Beria nodded in respect, the Minister was taking it well. He had one more arrow to break Molotov’s composure, “Of course the fall killed him.” Molotov nodded and took another sip.
September 9, 1939 – Moscow, Office of the Italian Ambassador to the
Soviet Union
*****Ambassadorial Report – Private - Most Secret*******
From Augusto Russo
To: His excellency Count Cortellazzo Giano, Foreign Minister
I can now confirm the death of General Secretary Stalin. While it is extremely difficult to determine exactly what happened it is certain that Stalin is dead. Our best information is that he died two nights ago at his offices in the Kremlin. There are several competing stories concerning his death, some quite elaborate and conspiratorial. At this point I think it is safe to assume that it was not a planned assassination. I venture this point based on the fact that no faction or factions inside the Party, Army or Secret Police appeared ready to move upon news of his death. Indeed the shock of the event seems to have paralyzed most of the figures in government.
At this point it seems clear that no single figure has enough power to directly supplant the General Secretary as head of the government. As you requested in last night’s cable here are my opinions of the chief contenders:
The Foreign Minister – Vyacheslav Molotov – A powerful party figure with strong ties inside the party itself. Molotov has at various times acted as head of government. Closely allied with Stalin he supported the General Secretary in the last great purge.
Minister of Internal Affairs – Lavretiy Beria – A Georgian like his former sponsor Beria has a reputation for ruthlessness. However is control over the NKVD seems imperfect. Many of his predecessor’s supporters seem to hold key positions and resent his removal of Yezhov.
Lazar Koganovich – currently a full member of the Politburo and widely considered the conscience of the revolution. He has the open support of many of Stalin’s own people and with the possible exception of Molotov is the most popular man inside the Party.
Minister for Defense - Kliment Voroshilov – Widely believed to have overseen the removal of Frunze, Voroshilov has a strong base inside the army. Most of the current officers owe their lives and promotions to Voroshilov. He may be the army’s man inside the Kremlin or the reverse might be true.
Commander of Moscow Military District – Semyon Budyonny – Another close ally of the late General Secretary Budyonny is a power figure inside the military, if allied with Voroshilov the could well dictate succession unless the party and the police opposed them. He is widely popular inside and outside the army.
Of course beyond these there are several ex-government officers and party officials that Stalin removed from direct power. It is possible that figures like Kalinin or Litvnov may emerge or re-emerge as powers. However for now the government seems quite divided. It would seem that the central issue the new government will have to deal with is the German – Polish war.
September 17, 1939 – near Zaleshiki, Poland – Seat of Polish Government
Marshal Smigly-Rydz looked at the little room. He turned to his aid “What an absolute Shithole.” He said. The aid drew up in attention about to explain, the Marshal continued “Its more than I deserve.” and gave a light chuckle. Awkwardly his aid nodded. “Tell Melch I want to talk with the British again. If we can get them to do something maybe….” He let the words drift. Silently he motioned for his aid to leave.
The Marshal sunk down into the small wooden chair against the near wall. He ran his hand absently along the faded wallpaper. “They’ll never come. Warsaw and Modlin are doomed.” He slammed his hand against the wall and let his head fall up towards the ceiling. He wondered what he should do. They all looked at him, expecting him to produce some miracle, but it appeared the German’s had outlawed miracles.* Most of the East was gone, so far the Germans weren’t driving any deeper into Poland. Unfortunately he had little left to fight with in the West. Some of the Northern armies were rallying around Grodno and he was he might get a hundred thousand men down here, but he couldn’t coordinate with the North or supply either group.
Then there was a hard knock on the room’s door. “Marshal” shouted his aid “come quick. The wireless has picked up good news!” Rydz-Smigly shot out of his chair and opened the door. He brushed past his aid and went down the stairs. At the bottom he could see several officers grinning. He looked at Colonel Melch. Who smiled back at him and spoke. “The wireless just reported that the new government in Russia has renounced the invasion! They are calling on all power to fight the fascists! This has to mean the Russians will help us.” The Marshal was stunned. He wasn’t sure that he would go as far as Melch, especially from one broadcast, but perhaps, just perhaps the age of miracles had not yet passed.
*Ok so shoot me I love old movies