The most challenging aspect of Operation Palma – the code name for the preparations for the Potsdam Conference – was arranging Stalin’s travel to Berlin, as he was known to dislike flying. European railways use a narrower gauge than Russian railways, which meant that at Brest, train carriages typically had to be switched to European wheels.
However, this was not an option for Stalin, and no one was willing to risk the potential consequences. As a result, the entire 828-kilometre route from the USSR border to Potsdam was converted to Soviet railway standards.
Three trains were organized for the journey. Stalin travelled on the main train, which was guarded by 90 officers.
Ahead of Stalin’s train was another carrying 40 operatives, while a third train followed with military officials and NKVD personnel numbering 70. Police units were stationed at every station along the route, and over 17,000 NKVD officers were assigned to guard the railway tracks.
On average, there were 4 to 6 guards per kilometre between Moscow and Brest, increasing to 7 to 10 guards per kilometre from Brest to Germany. Within 40 kilometres of the conference location, the security density rose to 15 guards per kilometre.
The interiors for the delegations were colour-coded: white for the Soviet delegation, blue for the American delegation, and pink for the British delegation.
A specially made round conference table, six meters in diameter and produced by the Lux factory, was brought from Moscow for meetings held in the Grand Hall of the palace.
To cater to the needs of the high-ranking Soviet delegation members, a cattle farm, poultry farm, and vegetable farm were established seven kilometres from Potsdam, alongside bakeries, all staffed by personnel sent from Moscow.
According to Harry Truman’s memoirs describing what Stalin served his allies, the sequence of offerings began with caviar, vodka, and cognac, followed by melon with champagne. Between these, there were smoked fish, fresh fish, game, chicken, duck, and fruit. Toasts were made frequently – at least 25, counted by Harry Truman.
On 16 July, Churchill and Truman spent the entire day touring Berlin, visiting sites including the Reich Chancellery and Hitler’s bunker.
Stalin was invited to see Hitler’s corpse, which had been discovered by then. Initially, he agreed, but the next morning he declined, suggesting that Molotov and Beria should go instead. They did visit the ruined bunker.
Stalin was also offered a visit to Sachsenhausen, where his son Yakov had died, but he refused, stating, “I did not come here on personal business.”
In addition to unprecedented security measures, the Allies implemented strict registration and accreditation procedures for conference participants, issuing passes with varying levels of access to the delegates.