Kiev Has To Be Forsaken (July 1941)

ZHUKOV
Chief Of The General Staff
July 28 1941

Just got sent out of Stalin's office for suggesting what was apparently the 'impossible' and' unthinkable' He's probably replacing me as Chief of the General Staff after that bold remark.

We have no choice but to surrender Kiev if we want to protect Moscow and prepare for the Nazi offensive into our capital city. Hitler is aiming for Moscow. He has already diverted his forces towards our capital city.We need all the time we can get to concentrate our forces behind the junction of the Central and Southwestern fronts. Kiev will have to be abandoned. Stalin was appalled at my proposal. I had no choice. I could not be sentimental at this point, we have to stop the Germans realistically and we will be foolish to hold onto Kiev.

We need to consolidate on the Western Direction and organize a counterstrike to liquidate the Yelnya salient which the Germans could use against Moscow.

Stalin is too emotionally attached to Kiev. I need to make a strategic stand about my decision. He can't trust me nor the position he entrusted me with. What use is the post of the ' Chief of the General Staff'. We need to stop the Nazi advance and ironically we need to give Kiev up, in order to protect Moscow.

Yelnya will be our chance to strike a counter offensive. Army Group Centre will be deprived of the Panzers. We have the opportunity to render their forces static and engage in multiple counterattacks and prevent the Nazis from using Yelnya. We will lose Kiev but we may not lose Leningrad. Moscow must remain the priority to defend at all costs. Stalin needs to hear this instead of sending me out!

ZHUKOV
Chief Of The General Staff

Strength of The Nazis' Betrayal (July 1941)

STALIN, Moscow

July 28 1941

The Nazis are obliterating us. Army Group North is poised to make it's final drive into Leningrad. Army Group Centre has taken Smolensk, Army Group South is in Kiev.

All is not looking good at all for our people. What the hell does Zhukov thinks he's playing at, giving up Kiev is certainly out of the question! He will no longer be the Chief of General Staff. Shaposhnikov shall replace him. We have managed without Lenin and we can all the better manage without Zhukov! This is no time to lose another foothold in this war.

According to Zhukov, either I lose Kiev or I lose Moscow in the end. We can't lose Moscow. I won't be the one who loses the Soviet Union to a bunch of Nazi barbarians. I'll see what Zhukov has to offer. If he wants a counteroffensive at Yelnya, he shall be in charge of it as Chief of The Reserve Front. We have to stop this losing! Time to get him back into my office.

STALIN, Moscow

Out Of My Coma (July 1941)

STALIN, Moscow

July 4 1941 

I've just addressed the Soviet Union and her people. We will retaliate and make Hitler pay for violating the agreement. The betrayal did take it's toll on me. Hitler's betrayal is not just a mortal threat to the Soviet Union but a direct threat to me. The Red Army will fight to the death and repel this treacherous invasion by the Nazis.

After meeting with Comrade Zhukov and my other comrade generals on several occasions, plans have been drawn up to counter this invasion. Counter attack on all fronts is imperative. We can't afford to lose any more time, ground or men. No more discussions are needed, things instead need to be done.

I have already shown that I have no qualms executing and removing incompetence from my Army. We cannot lose another city to the Germans.

I've already lost Minsk to incompetence coupled with the immense forces of the Nazis. Lithuania, Latvia and Belorussia have also been abandoned. Estonia, Ukraine and Moldavia have now been invaded. 15 divisions lost in a matter of days and the Nazis have already reached the Western Dvina River. Army Group South are heading towards Kiev. Something drastic needs to be done before we lose these territories to Hitler as well. I do not care for the specifics, be it Army Group South or North, I just want him halted and destroyed.

STALIN, Moscow