RAIDER BRIGADE Book 2 The Russian Bear by Daniel J. Gilbert

Author:Daniel J. Gilbert [Gilbert, Daniel J.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2021-02-26T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7

Operation Eagle Strike

08:00 Hours, Tuesday, 28 August 1945

General Marshal’s Pentagon Office

Washington, D.C.

General Marshall scheduled an emergency meeting in his office with General’s Handy and Groves. “Gentlemen, we have an urgent situation on our hands. General Eisenhower has reported that the Soviets have mobilized their strategic reserves and appear to be throwing everything they have at the western allies in Germany and Poland. General Patton’s counterattack had initial success but the Soviets are doing everything they can to reverse his progress. Several of Third Army’s units are in danger of being destroyed within days unless we can do something to change the strategic situation. General Eisenhower has asked us to consider launching Operation Eagle Strike as soon as possible. What is our current situation?” General Groves answered first. “General, as you recall, during our last meeting a couple weeks ago, you directed us to start moving available stockpiles of bombs to Europe immediately. We have moved six bombs from the Pacific Theater to the European theater. They arrived in the UK two days ago. We are making new bombs as quickly as possible, but we will not have more bombs delivered to the UK until the 3rd of September and we will not have the total number of bombs required, positioned in the UK until at least the 15th of September.” General Handy spoke next. “General, we will not have the entire 509th Composite Group closed in the UK until Friday the 31st of August. We currently have 9 crews and airplanes in the UK located at Alconbury and Glatton in Cambridgeshire. The air staff has consulted with 8th Air Force. They can launch a scaled down version of Operation Eagle Strike with 24 hours-notice; weather permitting. Of course, it will mean, we can only strike six targets.” General Marshal replied “Send General Eisenhower and the 8th Air Force a warning order to conduct the strike. I will seek President Truman’s authorization immediately. General Handy asked “What about the target list?” General Marshall replied “Develop your recommended target list and send it to me right away. Include Moscow as the primary target.”

06:00 Hours, Thursday, 30 August 1945

US Army Air Forces Airfield

Alconbury, Cambridgeshire

United Kingdom

Lieutenant Colonel Paul Tibbets looked over at his co-pilot, Captain Robert Lewis and said “OK. Here we go again.” The B-29 Superfortress, named the Enola Gay, started down the runway, picking up speed until it lifted off. It was followed by two other Superfortress. The flight of three circled overhead waiting for an additional three Superfortress taking off from nearby Glatton Field. The two flights of three joined up into one flight of six and headed off to the northeast. The Operation Eagle Strike target list had been paired down to six primary targets including Moscow, Leningrad, Kazan, Saratov, Molotov, and Yaroslavl. Estimated flying time to Moscow was 7 hours which would make the time on target about 4 PM in Moscow, 1 PM in London and 6 AM in Washington.

17:00 Hours, Thursday, 30 August 1945

General Marshal’s Pentagon Office

Washington, D.

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