‘Very wise, you fucking bitch,’ he thought, unable to contemplate the possibility that Nazarbayeva had no intention of embarrassing him and was solely delivering her best interpretation of intelligence.
“Our government agent confirms that the Spanish plan is to re-equip their expeditionary corps initially, and then as much of the rest of their army as possible. This will have the effect of slowing their committal to battle, which is a plus for us, whilst undoubtedly making them more effective when they do arrive, which is not.”
A fair interpretation to Zhukov’s mind, and he already understood that Nazarbayeva stood by her agents so he would go with that.
“One other matter relating to Spain, Comrade Marshall.”
He looked up, only to realise that the GRU officer was speaking directly to Beria.
“Our main agent speaks of a possible covert operation run in the Madrid area, which has resulted in the death of one of his supportive contacts, and brought unnecessary attention to his door.”
Beria felt his bile rise.
‘Bitch! You dare to chastise me?’
The momentary flash in his eyes was quickly suppressed and missed by all in the room.
‘Anyway, NKVD’s contact Tatiana,’ smugly reminded himself.
“Apparently a woman was found brutally murdered in unusual circumstances, a woman who, we now discover, was being watched by the Spanish Secret Service because of her known communist links and open romantic episodes with certain high government officials, our agent included.”
Beria’s angry silence was noted by Stalin and Zhukov, although only one knew the facts that were troubling the NKVD head.
“The woman was sympathetic to our cause and willingly offered information to our agent, often giving him cause to believe that she was already working for another similar organisation.”
‘NKVD had one of your agents, and not for the first time, and not the only one in Spain either, my little Lieutenant Colonel.’
The faintest smile warped Beria’s lips, which he swiftly hid with his teacup.
“Apparently, the woman was grossly violated after death and Spanish investigators are proceeding on the assumption that it was done to mask the real motive, and are also assuming that motive is related to her possible espionage activities. Especially as she was known to have associated with a group of strangers in a Madrid hotel on the day of her death, strangers that have since disappeared.”
Silence was still the NKVD Marshall’s only response.
“Indications are that the group have German origins, something that has caused a great deal confusion in Spanish investigative minds.”
Both Zhukov was surprised by that, and failed to notice that neither Stalin nor Beria shared it.
“Our information does not support any involvement from the Germans, Comrade Marshall.”
Beria shrugged.
“If this is part of an NKVD covert operation, it has placed GRU’s highly placed agent at risk.”
Finally animated, the spectacled officer leant forward.
“Do not presume to lecture me on covert operations, Comrade PodPolkovnik. You are here to brief.”
Beria leant back again and threw an expansive hand gesture at the GRU officer.
“So, brief us, and leave your personal accusations at home.”
Naïve possibly, but more really just possessing the strength to stand up for herself.
“Apologies, Comrade Marshall, but I convey the words of General Pekunin, who was very precise. This apparent NKVD operation has exposed GRU’s highest placed Spanish agent to risk. That agent is now discontinuing his communications until the investigative activity has ceased. So we have lost our best contact at a crucial time.”
Zhukov was sure that Pekunin would not have wished his officer to be quite so precise, and he felt wary for the woman.
Beria gathered himself for another verbal assault, but was cut off before he could start.
“Comrade, PodPolkovnik. GRU is correct to be angry that a highly placed agent may have been placed at risk. I am sure that Comrade Marshall Beria will investigate this thoroughly and inform us of his findings.”
Beria nodded in deference to his chief, again finding himself put on the spot by this GRU woman.
Strangely, Stalin decided to defend his man, speaking of something that had been previously agreed would remain unspoken.
“I will tell you that events in Spain are about to take a positive turn, thanks to investigations made by Marshall Beria’s men. I can say no more for now.”
Stalin settled back into his chair and invited Nazarbayeva to continue.
“The Italian situation is not presently clear, despite our best efforts to understand their minds. I actually believe they presently do not know exactly what they intend to do, Comrade General Secretary.”
That drew a snort from both Beria and Zhukov, the Italians being everybody’s whipping boy.
“The secret offer made by the Foreign Ministry should certainly cause some division in their ranks. However, one piece of intelligence may indicate some good news for us.”
Referring to her folder, Nazarbayeva listed the Italian formations that presently served within the Allied forces.
“The Italian government has requested that these combat groups, and all other support units under British commander Alexander, be permitted to journey to holding areas near Livorno, Florence and Rimini, with the expectation that they be returned to Italian authority, and with a view to creating an independent Italian Army.”
Whilst this was not completely new information to her audience, her interpretation of the intelligence certainly was.
“By removing the Groups and the support units, the Italians are physically weakening the Allies Italian Force. They must know this. Therefore it is my conclusion that the Italians are withdrawing their fighting troops prior to declaring neutrality.”
This time it was Zhukov who spoke first, challenging the impressive Amazon.
“On what basis do you make that conclusion, Comrade PodPolkovnik? Why can they not be forming an Italian Army to fight us?”
“Comrade Marshall, it would appear to be a simple matter of geography.”
Nazarbayeva produced an uncomplicated sketch of Northern Italy from her folder and passed it across to Stalin.
It was minimally marked, and simply demonstrated her point.
“At a time when Allied resources must be under pressure, the Italians are expending vast quantities to bring their forces together on the blue line.”
Both Beria and Zhukov craned their necks to see that the Blue line ran from west to east across Italy, running through the three cities Nazarbayeva had cited.
“To our thinking, the most natural place to assemble, given the present locations of their units, would be the triangle Modena, Ferrara to Bologna. It would also make more military sense to keep your assets nearer to the potential point of need.”
Zhukov agreed for the same reasons the GRU officer had just cited; he had simply wanted to hear her reasoning and to understand if he had missed something in his swift appraisal.
“I can agree with your assessment, Comrade Nazarbayeva. It makes sense. Is there something within the Foreign Ministry briefing which would support this view, Comrade Marshall?”
Beria found himself the unwelcome focal point of attention, three pairs of eyes boring into him, one solely for the amusement of seeing him uncomfortable, as their owner knew well what the others did not.
“As you know we have offered to respect Italian neutrality if declared in good time, but have reserved the right to force combat on any Allied Divisions that fight on Italian soil. The Italian Government would, as part of the protocol, order Allied forces from their territory.”