The power of example is endless, after Kononov struggled for a long time and finally decided to stand up, the 289th prisoner of war camp where he is currently located soon all stood up, and after learning the news of his standing, except for a few people, who were imprisoned in other prisoner camps, Kononov's original 160th Division also stood up, and the total number of the two combined was close to 3000.

Zikov was so pleased with this that even Vlasov's German liaison officer, Major Schweninger, was amazed by the influence and appeal of this lieutenant colonel, and in view of his value and energy, Vlasov not only personally met with this former subordinate, but also promoted him to the rank of first rank, Kononov became lieutenant colonel and received the promise that he would be the commander of the 4th Infantry Division if it was formed. A similar momentum spread like a spark in the prisoner camps, and the backbone of the Russian People's Liberation Army with three divisions was quickly established. Among them, the 1st Division was commanded by Colonel Sergei Bunyachenko, the former commander of the 389th Tank Division of the Soviet Army (the deputy division commander was Kononov), and had 18,000 people, including an artillery regiment, an anti-tank artillery battalion, and an engineer battalion. The commander of the 2nd Division was Colonel Zverev, the former brigade-level political commissar of the Red Army, and the commander of the 3rd Division was Mikhail Shapovalov, former Major General of the Soviet Army and commander of the Infantry Corps.

In addition to the above-mentioned forces, the PLA also organized a reserve brigade, an anti-tank brigade, an officer academy and its own air force brigade - the Germans formed more than 80 Soviet pilots into a battle group commanded by former Air Force Colonel Viktor Maltsev, which consisted mainly of a fighter squadron commanded by former Soviet captain and former Hero of the Soviet Union Bechkov and a night bomber squadron commanded by former Soviet captain and former Hero of the Soviet Union Ankirevsky.

The formation of the Russian Liberation Army is not an isolated incident. Similar actions are spreading across all German-occupied areas:

According to the trajectory of history, the three Baltic states were originally formed only SS divisions, but now that Hoffmann has promised them independent status, the Wehrmacht units of the three countries have also been formed. Including the 1st Lithuanian Division and the 1st Estonian Division, Latvia had the closest relations with Germany and was included in the Germanic sphere of influence as early as the time of the Livonian Knights, so 2 divisions were formed, namely the 1st and 2nd Latvian Divisions, and Zeitzler introduced Manstein to the cavalry general von Stein? Panvetz, for his part, succeeded in pinching together the various Cossack regiments to form the 1st Cossack Division.

The climax of the whole operation lies in Ukraine. After the start of Barbarossa, Ukrainian nationalists, led by Stepan Bangera, established an independent regime in Lviv, but only a few days later they were ordered to dissolve by the SS. Himmler wanted to prop up another Ukrainian nationalist group, led by Andrei Melnik, to replace Banjera, because he believed that the former was more obedient and easier to master, but the problem was that they had little prestige among Ukrainians, and the deceived Bangelas in turn formed Ukrainian partisans. This partisan army fought not only against the Germans. but also fought against the Soviet partisans.

Hoffman's approach was much more radical than Hitler's, and he could accept Ukrainian autonomy and even independence, so Bangera was given a chance to re-emerge, and Hoffman also had Pavel Shandruk, who had close ties to both nationalist organizations in Ukraine, come forward to form the Ukrainian Liberation Council and sign a mutual agreement: the two sides agreed to support Ukraine's independence, form the Ukrainian Defense Forces and dissolve collective farms, distribute land according to population, and in return, In the future, Ukraine will need to set aside 100,000-150,000 square kilometers of land on its western border to house German-Russians (it already borders Ukraine directly after Germany takes control of Poland, and the lost land of Ukraine is regained from future Russia). At the same time, during the war, Germany was supplied with 3 million tons of grain per year. Soon the 1st and 2nd divisions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces were formed, according to the ideas of the Ukrainians. It is enough to form at least 5 divisions.

"Führer, do you really think that such a political arrangement is useful with these armies?" In the Führer's office in Berlin, Hoffmann was listening to Field Marshal Keitel's briefing on the situation on the Eastern Front, and at the end of the briefing, the other party suddenly asked such a question.

"Of course it works." "If nothing else, Ukraine alone can provide us with abundant agricultural products after a bumper harvest in one year – if you occupy Ukraine, can you give Ukrainian farmers an incentive to farm for you?" ”

"But I have heard too many complaints from below, that you have been too lenient with the Russians, that we have toiled to fight the Bolsheviks to the death, and in the end we have not gained anything, but that these countries have become independent by the protection of the Germans, and that the land has been allocated, and that the armies have been formed, and that even the weapons have been allocated from the parts we have captured...... Also......" said Keitel, "there are complaints from the SS that you have shown too much sympathy for these inferior peoples. ”

Hoffman burst out laughing, "Keitel, this can't be what you really think, right?" If it were, it would be ridiculous. ”

Kettle's face flushed suddenly, and he wanted to say no, but his expression was not fake, and it was clearly written that he also agreed, at least partially, with this point of view.

"Yes, I made them all independent, but that doesn't mean anything. Their position is fragile and unreliable, and it all depends on our support. Hoffman paced back and forth in his office, suddenly turning his head and asking Keitel, "Do you think we alone can defeat Stalin?" ”

"Absolutely."

"Can you defeat the alliance of Churchill and Stalin?"

"It should work."

"Can that bring down the combined efforts of Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin?"

"This ......," Keitel hesitated before replying after a long time, "I think it can be." ”

"You're not telling the truth...... At the very least, the look in your eyes tells me you're not telling the truth. "If you act, you're not going to be a good actor, and you're not going to be a clever liar -- because you can't even fool yourself when you tell lies." ”

"Führer." Unconvinced, Keitel argued, "In the past few years, when various programs have been implemented, the vast majority of people, including those in the General Staff, have thought that they could not be done, but have not all of them been successful? I believe that under your leadership, we will ......"

Hoffman waved his hand to stop Keitel from continuing: "My dear Marshal, I am glad that you think so, which shows that you have seriously thought about and summed up our successful experience in the past few years. I also think that what you just said is because you have considered my leadership factors. But leadership is not omnipotent, he can make up for some gaps in strength, but it cannot permanently replace strength itself. You may have heard the saying that a flock led by a lion can defeat a flock led by a sheep, but have you ever thought that a flock led by a lion can defeat a flock led by a lion? Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin, no matter what the outside world thinks of them, they are in my mind the lions, and they are completely comparable to me. They are much stronger than Chamberlain, Petain, or any other politician, and you should know the power of the United States without me telling you. ”

Keitel nodded mechanically.

"In view of the fact that warfare has become completely globalized, we need to desperately expand our power - whether it is military, economic or political." For example, Hoffman said, "Wouldn't it be good for these countries to form armies and fight the Russians to the death?" Wouldn't it be good for Vlasov to form an anti-Bolshevik force and fight Stalin to the death? In the prisoner of war camps, we have to spend our energy watching them, spending food to feed them - why not let them do something useful. ”

Keitel continued to nod thoughtfully.

"There is an opportunity to compete with the United States for global hegemony -- but that is the task of the next war, and our goal in this war is to unify the German nation and form a new Europe under German leadership, speaking with one voice. Our undertaking is huge and majestic, and it is by no means something that can be accomplished in a day or two. We have been fighting for more than three years since the war against Poland, and the United States has been mobilizing for war for less than a year. If we had our current sphere of influence before the war began, and after 20-30 years of development, how much would our power have swelled? Hoffman said, "Don't worry about these small countries, as long as we maintain our current status and strength, they don't dare to have two hearts." In addition, I have taken these measures for the sake of some countries in Western Europe - if we can restore their independence and move towards common harmony even the occupied Russian lands, what reason do they have to doubt my motives for forming the European Union? What reason was there to fear that Germany would annex their territory? ”

Keitel argued: "But then our sacrifice is too great, and we can't turn around emotionally." ”

"It's an investment, not gratuitous." Hoffman said with a smile, "These countries will participate in the war against Russia, haven't so many division-level troops been formed now?" In order to defend their sovereignty and freedom, they would inevitably choose to fight the Bolsheviks and Stalin to the end. We will also have additional benefits financially, and they will reward us with agricultural products and all kinds of resources for the support and weapons we give them - remember, it is much better for them to fight for themselves than for them. I can bet you that these units, which are also the former Soviet army, will surprise you with their combat effectiveness after being transformed. ”

"I hope so." Keitel muttered to herself. (To be continued.) )