Stalin's Daughter and Granddaughter in the U.S.

[Matt Wiser]

Folks, this was asked on the "other board" so I'll put it out for discussion: Stalin's daughter Svetlana and her daughter lived in the States only OTL to return to the USSR in 1984. With the 1983-4 POD, let's assume that Svetlana decides to stay in the U.S., seeing things worsen not just between the Superpowers, but in the USSR as a whole as Chebrikov assumes the Post-and the power-of General Secretary. Maybe he makes a speech where he promises "Retribution to traitors to the Motherland", even if they return to the USSR... That would be reason enough for her to stay in the States.

Now, how would they be useful to the U.S. and the Allies once the war begins? USIA would want to use her for broadcasts to the Soviet Union via VOA, Radio Liberty, tapes used by the BBC, etc. as well as radio messages to Soviet troops, urging them to defect, etc, via various radio in the U.S. and Canada.

The daughter might be considered too young, but she and her mother would still have strong protective details.

Comments and thoughts?

[Bernard Woolley]

I remember Hitler's American relative was used in propaganda; he joined the US Navy. So, I don't see why the Allies wouldn't also use them for propaganda purposes.

[Wolfman]

How much do you want to bet that those two had a price on their heads?

[Poohbah]

How much do you want to bet that those two had a price on their heads?

Too bad it was in monopoly money--er, rubles.

[Wolfman]

Hahaha! True enough!

[Poohbah]

Hahaha! True enough!

I was really proud of having a 50,000 ruble bounty on myself until someone explained that the open market rate meant that it was actually worth about $96. The, I was insulted.

Boss-ma'am ended up with something like $200K in actual Benjamins by war's end.

[Wolfman]

Who was that one sniper who had a bounty equivalent to $500,000?

[jemhouston]

Who was that one sniper who had a bounty equivalent to $500,000?

Bob Lee Swagger?

[jemhouston]

Hahaha! True enough!

I was really proud of having a 50,000 ruble bounty on myself until someone explained that the open market rate meant that it was actually worth about $96. The, I was insulted.

Boss-ma'am ended up with something like $200K in actual Benjamins by war's end.

The fact it was in US currency should have told everyone who the Russians thought would win at the time.

[Poohbah]

Who was that one sniper who had a bounty equivalent to $500,000?

Master Guns Bob Lee Swagger. Not so much because of his (impressive enough) battlefield record, but because he was running the 5th Marine Division Sniper School and turning out dozens of 80% Bob Lee Swaggers.

They once sent an entire desant battalion to kill the sniper school. Joke was on them, the ratline gave us a heads-up and ol' Master Guns Swagger used the VDV as the graduation exam.

When the jungle starts speaking Vietnamese, the snow starts speaking Finnish, and the caliche starts speaking English? Don't bother running, you'll only die tired.

[Wolfman]

Just slit your own throat, it’ll be more merciful than the enemy hunting you…

[Johnnie Lyle]

I dunno. If you have to go, a sniper isn’t a bad way. You have a nice chill situation, no idea you’re even being hunted, then oblivion.

Unless they’re pissed and eschew a quick kill for a slow one.

[Poohbah]

Hahaha! True enough!

I was really proud of having a 50,000 ruble bounty on myself until someone explained that the open market rate meant that it was actually worth about $96. The, I was insulted.

Boss-ma'am ended up with something like $200K in actual Benjamins by war's end.

The fact it was in US currency should have told everyone who the Russians thought would win at the time.

That, and they figured nobody was going to be alive to collect.