Chapter 618: Verbal Sparring

Churchill is indeed a master negotiator known as the "politician with a thousand faces". Even Comrade Stalin, the loving father, had to admit that he was indeed completely attracted to the map by the plan of this British guy.

Stalin immediately began to think about any theoretically feasible countermeasures based on what Churchill had just said.

Indeed, Churchill's plan made a lot of sense! Although the offensive launched by the British and American coalition forces in North Africa could not bring any practical impact on the situation on the Stalingrad front in the short term, the Germans' deployment of troops to withdraw reinforcements to North Africa may return to a few months later or even in early 1943.

But there is no doubt that once Churchill really took action as he said, the pressure on the Soviet-German battlefield would inevitably be reduced a lot. Even if Hitler only withdrew 100,000 elite troops, it would be of great help to the Soviet battlefield.

Not only that, Comrade Stalin, the long-sighted loving father, also saw what would happen in the distant future.

Once the Anglo-American coalition forces succeeded in the war in North Africa, Hitler would not only have to take care of his Atlantic coastline, but also have to be wary of the North African Allied forces poking at the European chrysanthemum from the south. Tunisia is the best springboard to poke at the chrysanthemum of Mussolini, the dictatorial fascist leader.

In this way, the troops Hitler needs to deploy may be more than just 100,000 or 200,000.

The unreliable Italians are likely to repeat the farce of defection. In order to prevent this from happening, Hitler must dispatch heavy German troops to garrison Italy to stabilize the morale of the army.

However, the troops that can block the possible attack of the Allied forces are more than one or two armies. Stalin estimated that Hitler might not be able to sleep well even if he transferred an army group there. In the long run, the actions of the Anglo-American coalition forces in North Africa are undoubtedly extremely beneficial to the Soviet Union, which will undoubtedly greatly contain Hitler's elite forces.

Comrade Stalin, the father who remained calm, glanced at Churchill who was waiting for his answer. He could not find any trace of lying or deception on his face, at least according to Stalin's own sharp eyes.

"Very good, I am very satisfied with this plan, but I hope you British and Americans will not break the agreement again, just like this time."

Churchill did not respond to Stalin's ridicule and complaints with any displeasure, because he understood that the United States and Britain were indeed not kind enough in fulfilling the agreement.

Before the situation became extremely bad, Churchill did seriously consider the details of the plan to open a second battlefield in Europe. Strictly speaking, this was not impossible in 1942.

The last few broken ships in the hands of the Germans were not even worth a shit in front of the Royal Navy. The Royal Navy, which had the strongest naval force in the world, could crush the German Navy with just a flick of its finger.

The so-called "a super battleship and two battlecruisers seriously threaten the Allied landing in Europe" was just Churchill's deliberate deception to Stalin, a believer in big ships and big guns. If a war really breaks out, the Germans will only regret that their parents gave them two less legs and why they can't swim faster than the boat.

But the current problem is that Britain not only has the mess in North Africa, but the United States is also fighting with Japan in the Pacific Ocean and has no extra energy.

More importantly, the deep-sea wolf pack of Dönitz is still rampant in the Atlantic Ocean, and merchant ships traveling between the United States and Britain are ruthlessly slaughtered like lambs to be slaughtered.

Without sufficient supplies, the British war machine cannot run at full speed. Churchill, who was born in an aristocratic family, is not a person who likes gambling, not to mention that this is to take advantage of the Soviet Union, who is originally an enemy. Churchill does not think that the Soviet Union will still be important to the British Empire after Germany falls. The ally is just a temporary handshake.

Facing Stalin's cold words and ridicule, Churchill, who was not angry at all, smiled slowly with a warm attitude.

"Thank you for your understanding, Marshal, I firmly believe that the Torch Plan is an extremely beneficial action for the entire anti-fascist war, including the Soviet Union, the United States and our British Empire."

Next, Stalin asked in detail about some specific details of the Allied Torch Plan. Stalin hoped to use this to figure out whether the Americans and the British were teaming up to deceive him again. If this was the case, it would only take an inadvertent loophole to expose Churchill's lies in person and make him lose face.

Facing Stalin's constant questions about the details of the Torch Plan, Churchill, who had already mastered the entire action plan, answered Stalin one by one. It was more reassuring for Churchill to tell Stalin, Hitler's mortal enemy, the secret.

The conversation between Churchill and Stalin ended late that night. Churchill, who was very satisfied, and Harriman, who hardly interrupted but just listened, left the Kremlin talking and laughing.

The next morning, before Churchill had even put down his towel and woke up, Stalin's strongly worded memorandum to Britain and the United States was delivered to his door.

"The Soviet High Command specified the summer and autumn military action plan based on the previous Tripartite Covenant and the premise that the British and American Allied Forces would open a second European front in 1942. The refusal of the British and American governments was a huge blow to the Soviet people. The betrayal made the situation faced by the Red Army soldiers on the front even worse, unpredictable and complicated."

"The Soviet command believes that the conditions for opening a second front in Europe in 1942 are extremely favorable. The Soviet Red Army has tied down more than 80% of Hitler's elite troops. In 1942, it is not only possible, but also necessary to open a second front in Europe. This is the correct decision that should be made under the condition that the United States and Britain respect each other's alliance."

Muttering to himself, Churchill sat at the dining table and read the translated Soviet memorandum with the original Russian version. Recalling the expression he saw on Stalin's face before leaving last night, he suddenly understood that Stalin was not fooled by him at all, but pretended to turn the page, but actually held a grudge against this matter in his heart.

"Chamberlain is right. This is a big dictator with a small shoemaker's heart. He can't tolerate any calculations and conspiracies against him in his heart, even in adversity."

Harriman, who also received the memorandum and rushed over, heard Churchill say this, and was worried that Stalin might turn his face and disown him. Harriman immediately asked anxiously.

"So what do you think we should do? Mr. Prime Minister, this Bolshevik dictator is too difficult to deal with."