The Rise of the Third Reich

The meeting between Hitler and Molotov took place on June 20, the day the Geneva Peace Conference adjourned. In order to avoid all eyes and ears, the meeting was arranged on a yacht on Lake Geneva.

Present on the Soviet side were Molotov, Mrs. Kollontai and Shaposhnikov, Chief of Staff of the Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army. On the German side, Hitler, Hersmann and Ribbentrop were present.

It’s not a formal diplomatic negotiation, it’s just that the two sides got together to drink tea and talk about the great situation in which the red flag of socialism will be planted all over the world.

"Now the red flag of socialism has been planted across most of Europe and most of Asia (East Asia is also socialist), and at least half of mankind has been liberated. If the two major socialist countries in the world, the Soviet Union and Germany, can unite, then The day when red flags will be planted all over the world is just around the corner!”

The person who was delivering a lofty speech was Adolf Hitler, the leader of National Socialism. He said in high-pitched and passionate German with a Bavarian accent: "Comrade Molotov, it seems that the historical process of the entire world has been determined, and the future belongs to socialism. Socialist Germany and the socialist Soviet Union will hold high the red flag and lead the way. People all over the world are moving towards a brighter era.

This is the scene that Comrade Stalin and I looked forward to when we met in Riga last year, and it is also the moment that the pioneers of socialism dream of. Before this era comes when all mankind is about to win its final liberation, has the Socialist Soviet Union decided to immediately join the most magnificent cause in the world? "

Hersmann acted as an interpreter, translating Hitler's words into Russian while trying not to laugh.

Although I have known for a long time that Adolf Hitler was a socialist politician, every time I hear him say this kind of Third International version of socialist cliches, I still have an unreal feeling.

However, Molotov, Mrs. Kollontai and the Red Army Chief of General Staff Shaposhnikov all listened seriously and nodded frequently, as if they agreed very much with what Adolf Hitler said.

In fact, Hitler's words were not unfamiliar to them. Since the Riga meeting last year, the Soviet Union's "Pravda" and Tass news agency have promoted this set of theories. Every time Germany won a victory on the front line, the newspapers of the Soviet Union were full of applause - because human liberation is the common cause of the two big socialist countries, the Soviet Union and Germany, so the success of the socialist cause in Europe also has a loving father. A credit to leader Stalin.

Moreover, such a big thing as the liberation of mankind cannot rely on Germany alone. The participation of the Soviet Union is still indispensable...

"Comrade Hitler."

Molotov called Hitler "comrade", a title officially recognized by the Soviet Union. In the newly published "Selected Works of Stalin", the contents of several autographed letters written by Stalin to Hitler were included. In the letters, Stalin addressed Hitler as "Dear Comrade Hitler". Hitler called Stalin "Dear Comrade Stalin."

Molotov continued: "Comrade Stalin believes that the German people have made enough contributions to the cause of human liberation, and now it is the Soviet people's turn to contribute."

Hersmann translated Molotov's Russian into German. After hearing this, Hitler nodded and said: "Of course, the people of the world cannot only count on Germany. Germany's population is only equivalent to two-thirds of the Soviet Union, and its living space is It is only one-twentieth that of the Soviet Union, and its mineral resources are incomparable to those of the Soviet Union. This makes it impossible for us to afford the mission of liberating 47 million British people, let alone the 130 million American people on the other side of the Atlantic. We can join hands with the Soviet Union and use the battleships and aircraft carriers built by our two countries to defeat the British and American navies, and then add our socialist coalition to deliver British and American lands. "

This really wants to plant red flags all over the world! As Herschmann translated Hitler's words, he imagined the Nazi swastika and the sickle-and-hammer flag being raised on the White House roof at the same time... oh, and maybe a Japanese plaster flag too!

But this is just a thought. The Soviet Union’s asking price is too high and Germany cannot afford it.

"Liberate Britain and the United States? Can your navy defeat the British and American navies?"

Red Army Chief of General Staff Shaposhnikov rushed to ask questions without waiting for Hersmann to translate Hitler's words into Russian (he graduated from the serious Russian General Staff Military Academy, and of course he knew several foreign languages, including German).

"This is a matter of time!" Hersman said. "The European continent will soon be fully liberated, which means that we can devote more resources to the construction of the navy and air force. And before the war broke out, we had A huge shipbuilding plan, which was progressing slowly due to insufficient resources, can finally be put to work. I think the Soviet Union should also speed up its naval construction and build more 'Soviet' class battleships and 'Kronshtadt'. 'class battlecruiser."

Construction of four "Soviet" class battleships has now begun, and all are expected to be in service within 1942. The "Kronshtadt" battlecruiser was also part of the Soviet Navy's plan. It was designed with a standard displacement of 32,700 tons and was equipped with three triple 305mm turrets (or three twin 380mm turrets). Construction of 2 of them started in 1939. The ship was also planned to be completed in 1942 - obviously, Stalin was originally planning to start a big war in 1943. However, the revolutionary situation is changing a bit quickly now. It seems that we must seize the time to speed up the construction of battleships and battlecruisers.

"The liberation of Britain and the United States will probably take many years. Before that, there must be a competition to build warships." Shaposhnikov said, "And in order to win this competition to build warships, we'd better liberate more The Soviet Red Army is ready to play a major role in this process!

He spoke directly in German, so Hitler could understand it. The German leader and Hessmann looked at each other - the Soviets wanted to open their mouths!

"Comrade Shaposhnikov," Hersman also called comrade the Chief of General Staff of the Soviet Red Army, "where are you planning to liberate the people?"

Shaposhnikov said: "Finland, Sweden, Norway, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia... and all of India!"

"This is impossible!" Adolf Hitler said firmly. "Germany is responsible for Finland, Sweden, Norway, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia."

Hitler left India to Comrade Stalin. In his view, this was already a big concession - considering the Soviet Union's influence on the East Asian continent, if India is added, there will be nearly 1 billion people living in the country. Under the red flag of scientific socialism!

"There is only one India?" Molotov said dissatisfied, "This is so unfair to the Soviet Union! The Soviet Union can give up its demands on Sweden and Norway. But other places must be liberated by the Soviet Union!"

"You are obviously saying something impossible!" said Hitler, who now began to gesture like he had done during a speech, but not as much. "The performance of your Red Army in Belarus, Ukraine and Finland is unsatisfactory, far from being comparable to our National Defense Forces! I don't think they can shoulder such a heavy task... If nothing else, you can't defeat Turkey alone. Come down!

You can't even defeat Turkey, but you still want to liberate Iran, Iraq, Syria and Saudi Arabia? I think you Soviet comrades think of the cause of human liberation too simply, and this is not acceptable. "

He paused for a moment, his face darkened, and he suddenly raised his voice and said: "And the several European countries you are attacking and will attack obviously have socialist elements. Finland is a country that implements a state socialist system, Romania and Bulgaria can How can you attack a country that has been transformed into a state socialist country? If it is just for the Karelian Isthmus and Bessarabia, then I can mediate and let these two countries meet your demands. But you want to be completely. Rule those two countries..." Hitler clenched his fist and waved it vigorously. "I will never allow it! That is absolutely not allowed!"

Hitler is angry!

The matter is serious!

The three Soviet people were all a little scared - that was Hitler, the leader of the German Empire who had just defeated a powerful country like France! Now millions of German troops armed to the teeth are doing nothing. If Hitler is furious, they will all go to the Soviet Union to cause trouble...

Hitler was silent for a moment, then stood up, as if preparing to withdraw. His eyes looked a little annoyed, and his lips and mouth corners were curved downward.

"My leader," said Ribbentrop, who also stood up, "it is my understanding that you will persuade Finland and Romania to make concessions to the Soviet Union and at the same time allow the Soviet Union to attack Turkey."

Hitler hesitated for a while, looked at Hessmann again, then shrugged impatiently and said: "I don't want to destroy the friendship with the Soviet Union. It is hard-won and it is the reason why our two socialist countries have become strong and harmonious." The key factor for victory. But Germany and Europe need oil, so Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait cannot be handed over to the Soviet Union." He still looked a little excited, and strode out of the cabin without saying goodbye to the Soviets. , got on a motorboat with the help of an SS officer, and then drove towards the dock.