Q&A · 1:16:39-1:17:06

Would the purges prevent the proposed Soviet building schedule?

Favored projects could temporarily protect designers without removing the danger of later punishment.

Question

Would the purges prevent the proposed Soviet building schedule?

Short answer

The timetable could survive if the naval program became a favored project whose staff were protected long enough to finish, though that outcome is uncertain.

Notes

Designers and engineers could be killed before completing their work. Some politically favored projects allowed their staff room to finish before a later downfall. The proposed naval program might receive that temporary protection, although the purges remain a danger.