Shortly after midnight on 25 February 1956, Nikita Khrushchev was yielded the floor at a closed session of the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and he had a few things he wanted to get off his chest. For the next four hours, Khrushchev described and denounced the harsh repressions andContinueContinue reading “Soviet Georgians React to Secret Speech Denouncement of Stalin’s Cult of Personality, 1956”
Tag Archives: politics
Classified British Foreign Office Telegram Winds Up in Moscow – UK and US Examine Options if Japan Attacks the USSR
The following is a translation of an encrypted telegram from London on the need to keep Japan out of the world conflict and “tear her away from the Axis powers by all means.” The information was sent to Moscow by an unknown Soviet agent, which cites, verbatim, information provided from Soviet agent “List” (British civilContinueContinue reading “Classified British Foreign Office Telegram Winds Up in Moscow – UK and US Examine Options if Japan Attacks the USSR”
October 1941: Leaked British Top Secret Telegram Reveals Germany’s Discontent with Japan
The following is a translation of an encrypted telegram from London regarding Germany’s dissatisfaction with Japan’s position towards the US and apparent disinterest in joining Axis powers. The information was sent to Moscow by an unknown Soviet agent, which cites, verbatim, information provided from Soviet agent “List” (British civil servant John Cairncross). TOP SECRET CIPHERContinueContinue reading “October 1941: Leaked British Top Secret Telegram Reveals Germany’s Discontent with Japan”
British Spy Maclean Fears October 1941 American Negotiations with Japan Will Sell Out the USSR While Protecting the British and Dutch
The following translation is that of an enciphered telegram dated 6 October 1941 from Soviet agent Vadim in London, citing information from source “Stuart” on the possibility of the conclusion of an agreement between the Americans and the Japanese, which would ensure the safety of American, English and Dutch interests in the Far East, andContinueContinue reading “British Spy Maclean Fears October 1941 American Negotiations with Japan Will Sell Out the USSR While Protecting the British and Dutch”
September 1941: China Unhappy with Progress of US-Japanese Discussions, Japan Also Less than Enthused
The following is a translation of a Top Secret encrypted telegram dated 5 September 1941 from Chongqing on the perceived progress of American-Japanese negotiations and concerns and frustrations on behalf of Japan and China. The source of the information was redacted during the declassification process, as was the pseudonym of the Soviet agent who filedContinueContinue reading “September 1941: China Unhappy with Progress of US-Japanese Discussions, Japan Also Less than Enthused”
August 1941: Japan’s Threat to US “Lend-Lease” Ships Bound for Soviet Far East
The following is a translation of a Top Secret encrypted telegram dated 21 August 1941 from Tokyo. The Soviet agent filing the report states that the countries are quite possibly on the precipice of the most crucial moment in Japanese-Soviet relations: In the event that the US, as part of the lend-lease program, sends shipsContinueContinue reading “August 1941: Japan’s Threat to US “Lend-Lease” Ships Bound for Soviet Far East”
Soviet Spy in Tokyo Explains to Moscow What Will Provoke Japan to Attack America
The following is a translation of a Top Secret cipher telegram date 17 June 1941 from Tokyo on the preconditions and probability of Japan’s entry into war with the USA. The source of the information was redacted during the declassification process, as was the pseudonym of the Soviet agent who filed the cable itself. TOPContinueContinue reading “Soviet Spy in Tokyo Explains to Moscow What Will Provoke Japan to Attack America”
English Spy Cairncross Hands Soviets British MP Reaction to Japanese-Soviet Neutrality Pact
The following is a translation of a declassified Top Secret cipher telegram (dated 21 April 1941) from Soviet resident VADIM [Anatoly Gorsky] in London, using information from Soviet-operated British spy “List” (John Cairncross) about the signing of the neutrality pact between Japan and the USSR. Cairncross had intercepted a telegram from British MP Stafford CrippsContinueContinue reading “English Spy Cairncross Hands Soviets British MP Reaction to Japanese-Soviet Neutrality Pact”
Prelude to Pearl Harbor: March 1941 – Attacks on UK, US Will Hinge on Japan-USSR Neutrality Pact
The following translation from our “Prelude to Pearl Harbor” series is from a Top Secret letter consolidating information from a series of Tokyo cipher telegrams on how potential actions against England and the USA would depend on a non-aggression pact between Japan and the USSR. The letter, sent from an unnamed Soviet agent in Tokyo,ContinueContinue reading “Prelude to Pearl Harbor: March 1941 – Attacks on UK, US Will Hinge on Japan-USSR Neutrality Pact”
Cambridge Five Member Provides Information on UK, US, and Chinese Efforts to Encourage the USSR to Declare War on Japan
In a post from yesterday, we reported on the West’s efforts to convince the Soviet Union to declare war against Japan after the latter’s 7 December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, stressing that it would offer the US a chance to make use of prime Soviet real estate in the Far East (to wit, SovietContinueContinue reading “Cambridge Five Member Provides Information on UK, US, and Chinese Efforts to Encourage the USSR to Declare War on Japan”
Translating History 