Chapter 143 Chapter 23 "The whole world will hold its breath" (8)

On June 14, Soviet agent Sorge issued a clear warning from Tokyo: "The war will begin on June 22." However, Stalin still did not believe this warning or other similar information.Despite his doubts and fears, Stalin remained confident that before 1942 war would be impossible.So, on the same day, he ordered the TASS news agency to publish a communiqué mocking all kinds of war rumors: "All these are nothing more than clumsy propaganda by those who hate the Soviet Union and Germany and those who are interested in expanding the war. . ” Because of the confidence in this statement, the tension among the Red Army at the front actually eased.

In Berlin, officers selected for combat came to the Chancellery for a special lecture and luncheon.At this point, everyone has understood the orders they have received, and has said nothing about Hitler's inhumane practices imposed on the enemy (although he is reluctant).At 2 o'clock in the afternoon, everyone adjourned for lunch. This meal was different from many meals eaten in the Prime Minister's Office. Everyone ate deliciously and relaxedly.When Hitler took the podium and spoke persuasively about the necessity of launching the "Barbarossa" campaign, the comradely atmosphere in the room was still alive.Hitler said the collapse of Russia would lead to Britain's surrender.

On June 17, the last signal was sent, reaffirming the start of Sunday, June 22, at 3:30 in the morning.On that day, a German corporal, fearing execution for killing an officer, crossed the front line and surrendered to the Soviets.He revealed that the offensive will begin at dawn on June 22.After hearing the news, the frontline officers were deeply worried, but the general in charge responded: "It's useless to panic." As midnight approached, Hitler appeared calm and confident. On Friday, the 20th, he called Frank, who had been his personal lawyer and was now the Governor of the Polish Occupied Territory. "We are facing a war with the Soviet Union," he said.Hearing this, the other party was stunned.Hitler quickly said, "Calm down!" He assured that the German attacking forces would pass through Frank's area soon.Frank still objected, but Hitler waved him to silence. "I understand your question very well. But I must ask you to come to an understanding with Himmler." He was referring to their disagreement on how to deal with the occupied territories. "I can no longer tolerate differences. You two must come to an understanding." Hitler's circular to the soldiers was circulated secretly that night.Under the cover of darkness, the vanguard began to move forward.By dawn on the 21st, more than 3 million German troops were in position, ready to attack.

In London, Cripps, who returned home for consultations, also sounded the alarm that Hitler was about to invade Russia. "Well," he said to the Soviet ambassador Maisky, "we have reliable information that the attack will be launched tomorrow, June 22, and no later than June 29... You know, Hitler was used to Attacked on Sunday." Maisky sent an urgent coded telegram to Moscow.Stalin finally approved the issuance of a guard order to the armed forces.He also instructed the ambassador in Berlin to lodge a verbal protest to Ribbentrop regarding the 180 incidents of German aircraft intruding into Soviet airspace since April, saying that this was a "systematic and international" incident.

Tensions prevailed in Bendlerstrasse as the final moment to call off the attack approached at 1:30 a.m.There was no word from the Prime Minister's Office. "Barbarossa" begins!In the Chancellery, Hitler is explaining to Mussolini why he launched the "Barbarossa" campaign. "Prime Minister," he wrote, "this letter comes at a time when months of anxious and nerve-wracking waiting are over. I have made the hardest decision of my life." He said, The massing of Soviet armed forces on the frontiers of the empire was massive, and time was on the enemy's side. "So, after racking my brains, I decided to cut the rope before the snare tightened."

Hitler made no criticism of Italy's disastrous ventures in Greece and Africa, or hinted at any other grievances.The tone of the letter is reverent, bordering on pleading, and by the end he is almost confessional. "Despite our most sincere efforts to achieve a final reconciliation, the partnership with the Soviet Union has often irritated me. This is because, I feel, it has something to do with my origin, my conceptions, and my The previous obligations were out of place. Now, I am glad that these pains of thought have been relieved." In Moscow, Molotov had just summoned Ambassador von der Schulenburg.The foreign affairs commissar wanted to add weight to the verbal note that had not yet been delivered to Ribbentrop by the Soviet ambassador in Berlin. "There are many indications," he told Schulenburg, "that the German government is dissatisfied with the Soviet government, and there are even rumors that a German-Soviet war is imminent." This is embarrassing, and Schulenburg can only say that I will Refer your question to Berlin.When he returned to his office, like Molotov, he still had no idea that Germany would attack the Soviet Union in a few hours.

A commander on the Eastern Front read Hitler's speeches to the soldiers. "For many months, I have been unable to hold my head up with anxiety and anxiety, and I have to keep silent. Now, I can finally speak to you, my soldiers." He talked about the build-up of Russian troops on the German border, and Numerous violations of the German frontier.This is what puts them on the "greatest front ever" with their allies in Finland and Romania. "German soldiers! You are about to join the battle. This is a difficult and crucial battle. The fate of Europe, the future of the German Empire, and the survival of our nation are now in your hands!"

On a tortuous front of 930 miles, from the Baltic to the Black Sea, three million soldiers listened and believed what they said.They huddled in the trenches, terrified and hopeful.Today is the summer solstice.Night is the shortest of the year.However, for those soldiers who waited for the order to attack in the white light of the fish belly, it was really an endless night.At midnight, the Moscow-Berlin Express rumbled across the border bridge and into German territory.Then a long train full of grain, Stalin's final delivery to his ally Adolf Hitler, passed. In Berlin, there was an air of anticipation that night.Journalists from various countries gathered in the "Foreign Correspondents Club", hoping to get some news from a group of foreign ministry officials.It was almost midnight, and since no foreign ministry officials had arrived, the reporters began to go home to rest.In the Chancellery, the activities were so unusual that even someone like Dietrich, Hitler's press secretary (who knew nothing about Barbarossa), felt that "this gigantic movement against Russia was developing. "Hitler was confidence personified. "Within three months at the latest," he told an adjutant, "Russia will collapse on a scale never seen before." Close your eyes and fall asleep.

At 3:30 am on June 22 - exactly one year after the surrender of Compiègne in France - German infantry began to move forward. Fifteen minutes later, gunpowder smoke filled the entire Eastern Front.The flash of the cannonballs turned the white night sky into daylight."Barbarossa," long a dream, is now a reality.But Barbarossa's founders are already worried.The Yugoslav adventure delayed Barbarossa for five weeks.The fallout from that delay is now slowly turning ominous.Hitler was fond of history.He might have thought that on the same day in June 129 years ago, Napoleon had crossed the Niemen on his way to Moscow.

Thirty minutes before the attack, Ambassador von Bismarck handed Ciano the long letter from Hitler.Ciano immediately hung up the phone to Prime Minister Mussolini.Due to the bad news and the phone call in the middle of the night, Mussolini was very angry. "I don't bother the servants late at night," he complained to his son-in-law. "However, the Germans can make me roll out of bed at any moment and without any thought." In Moscow, Schulenburg was on his way to the Kremlin.Germany accused that since the Soviet Union was preparing to "push from behind Germany", the Fuehrer had ordered the German Army to "do all its strength and methods to oppose this threat".Ambassador Schulenburg solemnly read out the statement.Molotov listened in silence, then said bitterly: "This is war. Your planes have just bombed nearly ten undefended villages. Do you think we deserve this?"

In Wilhelmstrasse Ribbentrop sent word that he would receive the Russian ambassador at four o'clock in the morning.Schmidt had never seen his master so nervous.Like a wild animal in a cage, he paced back and forth in the room, repeating in his mouth: "The Führer is absolutely right to attack Russia now." Schmidt thought, Ribbentrop seemed to be cheering himself up . "If they don't attack them now, the Russians will certainly attack us." At 4 o'clock in the morning, the Russian ambassador Dekanosov came in and innocently extended his right hand.The ambassador tried to convey the Soviet complaint, but Ribbentrop interrupted him. "It's no longer a problem now," he said, before announcing that the hostility of the Soviet government had forced the Reich to take military countermeasures. "I am sorry to say that I cannot go any further," he said, "especially since I myself have come to the conclusion that, despite all my serious efforts, I have not been able to establish a reasonable relationship between the two countries." Dekanosov quickly regained his composure.He expressed regret at the development of the situation and blamed Germany's uncooperative attitude.He got up, bowed as usual, and left the room without shaking Ribbentrop's hand. All journalists in Berlin were woken up for a press conference at the Foreign Office at 6 am.Several reporters heard the news over loudspeakers outside on their way to William Street.The Führer's message broadcast on the radio read: "German people! National Socialists! The hour has come! Overwhelmed by apprehension and concerns, I had been obliged to remain silent for months. Now, at last, I can speak openly and honestly." He said the Soviets and Great Britain conspired to crush the Axis powers, aided by American supplies. "So, today I decided to hand over the fate and future of the Germanic Empire to our soldiers. In this war, let God bless us!"