Yep, see my #15 post, it took a bit of time to assemble.
One of my VIGOROUS arguments in college history was about the blatant ignorance about Stalin's active aggression in the 22 months between the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact and Operation Barbarossa. Yes, we can sympathize with the Russian People and admire their courage and tenacity in the AMAZING repulse of the German Invasion BUT what does this say about Stalin and his Communists?
With the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, they SILENCED all of the COMMUNIST / Comintern voices who were antiFascists previously. The Pact gave Hitler a free hand to attack westward against the countries Stalin already hated. In return, Stalin took the Baltic Countries of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania and he also got the eastern half of Poland. Stalin also tried for Finland but still got land concessions that belong to Russia to this very day!
What a high-water mark for two mighty LEFTist Dictators, who, along with Mao Zedong, drenched the 20th Century in BLOOD. Oh, and for all (not you, dfwgator) who decry religious wars, colonialism and (white) oppression over the past centuries, these 3 PAGANS demonstrated a fine disregard for any racial preferences in killing any and all that came to their unfavored attention!
A very good Made-For-TV Play, featuring “Gandalf” as Hitler.
It shows originally Hitler was skeptical about the Gleiwitz plan, but eventually came around to support it.
Countdown To War
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QdVLKrs7A4
The Soviets would have made a deal with the French and British, but basically the Soviets demanded at least half of Poland for the deal. The Poles wouldn’t bite, and that’s why Stalin made the deal with Hitler, Hitler let him have half of Poland (well at least for a few years).