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A disturbing what if tale that's all too plausible

Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2020

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Historians are reluctant to ask what if questions, but science fiction writers have no such qualms. In looking backward, a stalwart few authors indulge their curiosity (and ours) in what has come to be called alternate history. And one of the more successful of their number is Robert Conroy (1938-2014) who wrote seven alternate histories of World War II as well as several others. In Red Inferno: 1945, he explores what might have happened if Stalin had turned against his Allies in the closing months of the war. Instead of the Cold War we know so well from history, the West faced a hot war just as the development of the atomic bomb was nearing completion at Los Alamos. Conroy’s depiction of the consequences is deeply disturbing because it is so plausible.

In this alternate history of World War II, Truman advances on Berlin

The action kicks off in April 1945. Eisenhower’s legions are steadily pushing their way eastward against collapsing Nazi resistance, while in the east Stalin’s armies are encircling Berlin and bombing it into rubble. Allied generals are pressuring Eisenhower to authorize a move to capture Berlin from the west instead. Although their commander demurs, mindful of the agreements at Yalta, the new American President, Harry Truman, impulsively decides otherwise. Acting against advice to the contrary, he asks Ike to send a token force of two divisions (about 30,000 men) to Berlin’s western reaches to “help” the Soviet forces, which are meeting stiff opposition from Nazis defending their capital city.

Truman reasons that by putting an American stake in the ground in Berlin he’ll make it less likely that Stalin will close the Allies entirely out of the German capital. After all, Stalin is violating the other principal terms of the Yalta Agreement. But the President’s decision is ill-considered. Stalin regards it as an opportunity to extend his borders even further into the west. For him, attacking that two-division force is to be the opening salvo into a massive push against the Allied armies to the west, thus engulfing all of Germany in the Soviet sphere of influence.

A large cast of historical characters

Conroy tells this tale through the eyes of a large cast of characters. Among them are historical figures including President Truman himself, Dwight Eisenhower, George Marshall, and other American generals and senior officials as well as Josef Stalin, Marshall Georgy Zhukov, Lavrentiy Beria, Vyacheslav Molotov, and others in the Soviet hierarchy. But much of the narrative power of the story is carried by the entirely fictional characters—the privates and sergeants and lieutenants and colonels on both sides as well as the fictional major general who leads that two-division force toward Berlin. Although this alternate history of World War II illuminates the Big Picture that prevailed in April 1945, it does so by revealing the humanity of those who experienced it on the ground.

Joseph Harris

Nice story but it could have been better.

Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2014

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Robert Conroy does a fine job with this very plausible alt history scenario. The characters are all well drawn, and I appreciate that the major historical personalities and their reactions to the scenario receive a great deal of attention from the author. The battles, weapons, tactics, and strategic goals are all described in great detail.

It is an intriguing question that one would assume would get more coverage: what if the Soviet's pushed too hard after the defeat of Germany and went to war with the rest of the Allies? Conroy sets up the conflict fairly well and creates a few interesting characters but also some dull place fillers. The Russians get aggressive and trap an allied force in Germany as their main force pushes the Allies back further and further out of Germany. Much space is devoted to espionage in the West and the resistance the trapped U.S. force puts up behind enemy lines, including their respective love interests. Consideration is given to the Soviet advantage in men and tanks, with the Allies' reliance on air power and giving up space for time to bleed the Soviet advance. All ends in massive fireballs as the first atom bombs are used on the Soviet Army rather than the Japanese.

I have three criticisms of the book, but they don't affect my overall assessment of the story. First, I came across three references to Germany invading Russia in 1940, vice 1941. The second is that he doesnt really go into detail about how Allied Armies would have fought the Russian army and how they would have matched up with one another.

What I was hoping for more of was how the Soviet and U.S. (and British) armies would face off with each other. Conroy gives little space for a closer look at how the Allies would handle the T-34s. Their advantage over the Sherman is noted, but there is no discussion over how they would match up against British Fireflies or the newer, heavier tanks that the U.S. was already shipping to the European Theater. It also would have been interesting to see how Soviet and U.S. artillery would have matched up against each other. The Soviet's prized their artillery, but the U.S. had boiled it down to a masterful science. And would the Soviet's have truly had such a massive manpower advantage? Conroy depicts the U.S. as having no real reserves to send to fight the Soviets. The US Army Had 12 million men serving so Im sure we would have been able to send reserves over to Europe. Where did Conroy think they were going to get the troops for Operation Olympic (The invasion of Japan scheduled for late 45)? Second is the ability of the Red Air Force to compete with the USAAF and RAF in German skies. Did the 7th and 8th Air Forces just vanish? Russian aircraft couldn't have stayed in the air with Mustangs and P-38s for a day. Russian aircraft were designed for combat support, not air superiority. Conroy's Red Army moves huge armored columns across Central Germany without significant impedance from the air. What were the thousands of bombers from 8th Air Force doing? What were the many thousands of tactical bombers in 7th doing? Also, there is almost no naval discussion at all and the issue of the cutoff of lend-lease is barely noted.

The third is that General Patton is nothing more than a minor character is this book. When in the actual history of the immediate aftermath of WWII he warned about Soviet intentions and pushing an aggressive response. He also pushed strongly for rehabilitating former Nazis, which eventually cost him his position as Miltary Governor of Bavaria. I believe that in an actual Red Inferno, George S. Patton would have been ready and waiting for a attack and once it came he would have been kicking Soviet butt so much so that the Russians would have found out the reason why the German high command feared him so much. In any Alternate history book about a WW2 USA vs USSR conflict Patton, surely the go-to-guy for US-vs Red Army fantasy essentially has to have a major role.

If you are WW2 buff like me then you might find this book interesting to read. But be warned it takes a lot of liberties that most WW2 buffs will not like. If you want a great book about a USA vs USSR conflict you will not find it here. I recommind Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy. But overall the story is imaginative and very well done. Red Inferno 1945 is just perfect for a rainy afternoon.

Amazon Customer

A very good read

Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2017

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I have not yet had an opportunity to read very many alt-history novels. Actually, none that I can think of off the top of my head. But if you are a history buff interested in WWII this one is worth reading. Probably one of the better military novels that I've read in the last few years. And what an interesting subject.

What if the Soviets did not stop at Berlin? What if they looked to keep going until they took over the continent of Europe? What would we do?

Lots of fairly plausible story lines and some good characters. Characters that you can actually find yourself caring about. With both warmth and dimension which is nice to see if a war novel.

I can't say when I'll get around to reading another title from Conroy but I would sincerely hope that they are as good as this one. Well earned five stars.

Akamai Okole

Magnificent and riveting alternative take on the end of WWII

Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2017

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I thought I had read all of Mr. Conrloy's books, as an alternate history fan. Somehow I had missed this one. I was hungry for a good new one, and was delighted to find it. I have read other alternative histories imagining a continuation of WWII with the Allies disunited and the West fighting the Soviet Union, but to me, this is the best and most credible one. I loved the characters, historical and fictional; the battle scenarios were, to me, credible and believable. And the outcome was immensely satisfying. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Top reviews from other countries

Mr. Stephen Parkin

Excellent alternative history.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 23, 2015

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A good read. Mr Conroy tends to denigrate the British again, but his later novel "1920 America's Great War" redresses this, so is not a consistent bias.
Small quibble p.348 refers to fighting between Armenia, Georgia and Kazakhstan. There is no border shared by Armenia or Georgia with Kazakhstan nor history of animosity.
I believe the author meant to write Azerbaijan.
Recommended.

Philip

This is a general review

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 6, 2018

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I have read all but two of Robert Conroy books and he is one of the best. There have been a few times when I have taken the book to bed, something I rarely do, so that I can read some more and I have found myself reading till the early hours of the morning. He is a writer that you want to keep reading till you have finished the book. The plots are feasible, the writing sucks you in, the characters believable and hardly if any spelling or grammar mistakes. I wold recommend any of his books to fans of alternative history.

Cyberbia

A brilliant 'what might've happened'

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 13, 2013

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This is the first book I've read by Robert Conroy, and it won't be the last!

This is an excellent read about how WW2 might've finished if Stalin - as was feared by the Allies- had torn up the Yalta Agreement and decided to turn the end of that war into the beginning of WW3 against Britain and the USA.

Obviously Robert Conroy had studied his material well before putting pen to paper.

Set against the real and the 'what if ....' which includes both real and fictional characters from that period, this is a book that I would thoroughly recommend reading.

D. E. Roberts

Not good

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 23, 2013

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Although the plot is feasible the content lacks substance! the book is trying to portray a lot in one cover. some of the content is shabby as well, in relation to the rank of major in the royal air force (rank does not exist only in the USAF). Most annoying is the american bravado on how they are great and the thought that Britain is weak and inferior, although it has to be reminded that Britain was fighting Germany before the Americans arrived.

Hutch

Great read if you're an alternative history reader

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2017

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Great read if you're an alternative history reader. Have now read ALL Robert Conroys books and gutted that he died recently.

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