alternatehistory.com

What if on 14th of February 1941 the electric power plants in the major population and industrial centers in the western Soviet Union are destroyed by a German false flag sabotage campaign?


In the middle of Winter in February the lights go out throughout the western Soviet Union. Municipal water system pumps stop and city water pressure quickly drops to zero. Radio, telegraph and telephones go dead. Industrial activity ceases. Rail transport is crippled due to loss of signaling communications. Food stops being delivered to city warehouses and distribution centers. And so on...

The German saboteurs in early 1941 would have detailed info, floor plans and schematics of the Soviet electric grid and power plants. Siemens was involved in upgrading the Soviet power systems in the 1920's and early 1930s. German companies (especially Siemens) provided major ongoing technical assistance to upgrade and expand the Soviet power plants and grid during the German-Soviet Commercial Agreement period starting in early 1940. The Agreement included German manufacture and export to the Soviet Union of electric turbines and other major grid infrastructure.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German–Soviet_Commercial_Agreement_(1940)

How might the loss of electric power impact the functioning, morale and stability of the Soviet government, security services, military, industry and general populace?
How much might the collapse of the western Soviet Union electric grid weaken the Soviet Union prior to the launching of Barbarossa in June 1941?
Top