Iron Cross

Although Kononov was mentally prepared for the changes in the attitudes of these countries and peoples, he had heard more than once that captured soldiers from ethnic minorities said that after the border campaign began, the Germans were welcomed as liberators by the people in these areas. Due to the situation, he originally thought that this was just a forced move, but now it seems that these countries or races newly merged into the Soviet Union have already had the intention of betrayal.

Originally, he had imagined that this was only the choice of a small minority, but the message broadcast from the loudspeaker today gave him a heavy blow - he heard the name of Lieutenant General Vlasov, and he had no respect for this name. No stranger, as he had fought against the Germans under their leadership. In the limited contacts he had, he spoke highly of the former commander of the 37th Group Army, believing that he had both courage and wisdom, as well as the tenacity to persevere to the end. He originally thought that the lieutenant general would have a bright future after getting rid of the terrible encirclement of Kiev, but he did not expect that the other party would end up in a prisoner-of-war camp, and now this change of stance caught him off guard.

Just when he was stunned, the crowd that had been surrounding him suddenly began to disperse, and a sudden voice rang out: "Lieutenant Colonel, please come here, your good luck has come."

Without raising his head, he knew it was the voice of the German captain. He walked over slowly and asked with a puzzled expression: "You mean?"

"Lieutenant General Vlasov has made a public statement and established the Russian Liberation Army. Now he is recruiting troops everywhere. This force only needs purely Russian ethnic officers and soldiers. The most urgent thing at present is qualified officers. I think you meet the conditions and "Tell me your name." The captain said with a half-smile, "The lieutenant general attaches great importance to you and specially sent his liaison officer and staff representative. Maybe you can have a good talk."

After saying that, he pointed at the two officers behind him. Both of them were wearing the original Red Army uniforms, but the Red Army logo had been removed and replaced with the logo of the earlier imperial Russia. There was also a piece of "Russian Liberation Army" around his right arm. "The armband with the words "Looks a bit nondescript.

The two men stepped forward to salute, and an officer said: "Your Excellency, Lieutenant Colonel, my name is M.F. Zikov. I was a major. Now I work at the headquarters of the Russian People's Liberation Army. The lieutenant general values ​​you very much and I specifically request you." We have come to see you.”

He nodded, welcomed the people into his separate barracks, and calmly said to the German captain: "Do you need to listen on the side?"

"No, no, this is your business, you just have to have a good chat." The captain said in a frank and sincere tone, "Lieutenant Colonel, I don't care how many stories you have in the past, but after more than a month of contact, It seems that you should be an excellent soldier, and your future will never stop here. This is a good opportunity for you to get rid of your status as a prisoner. I hope you can seize it. "

Kononov nodded his thanks indifferently.

"Lieutenant Colonel, it seems that you are working well with the Germans." The two representatives sighed sincerely as they looked at Kononov's separate barracks and relatively complete facilities.

"You are the ones who 'cooperate' well." Kononov deliberately emphasized the word cooperation and said in a mocking tone.

"Your Excellency, we are here to seek common ground while reserving differences, not to quarrel with you. We hope you can listen carefully to what we have to say. There is some information that you cannot access inside, which may lead to misjudgment."

"Okay, tell me."

"Did you understand the propaganda on the high-pitched radio?"

"yes."

"Now there is an opportunity waiting for you. Are you willing to follow the propaganda and requirements? In other words, are you willing to turn your gun and fight against Stalin and the Bolsheviks?"

Seeing that Kononov was about to refuse, another one spoke: "Lieutenant Colonel. Don't refuse in a hurry. You need to think about all this carefully, not only for yourself, but also for your subordinates and brothers. If “You don’t mind if we share with you our reasons for cooperating with the Germans.”

"Okay, I can listen to your opinions first."

"First of all, we learned that you were captured during the Battle of Kiev. You may not know that Stalin issued Order No. 270 on August 16 last year, which stated..."

After listening to the other party's statement, Kononov's face turned livid: "Is this true? Would you rather die in a useless battle than surrender? Stalin is forcing the soldiers to go to a dead end."

"It's not limited to this. The family members of captured officers and soldiers will be regarded as collaborators and exiled to Siberia. We have received a report that an officer successfully escaped from the prison camp and went through great difficulties to find friendly troops. "Unexpectedly, when they heard that he had been captured, other officers almost wanted to shoot him, but he was forced to escape back to the prisoner of war camp. "

Kononov shook his head slightly. The other party saw his disapproval and advised him: "You don't have to doubt it. This man is now working at the headquarters. You can ask him personally then."

"Okay, that's a reason, please go on."

"Second, don't think of cooperating with the Germans as an embarrassing act. In fact, this approach is not original to us, and we have learned from it."

"You mean?"

"I believe you must have seen the movie "Lenin in 1917". Where did Lenin return from in 1917? Who escorted him back and provided him with guns, ammunition and even money? Were the Bolsheviks legally elected to power? Sir, Stalin did not As good as you think, the Germans are not as bad as you think.”

Kononov shook his head resolutely: "While studying at the Frunze Military Academy, I systematically compared the similarities, differences and relationships between the Soviet Union and Germany. I have a deeper understanding and understanding of what you said. The second point is a reason, but it doesn’t impress me.”

"Third point, as a preferential treatment for joining the Russian Liberation Army and fighting against the Bolsheviks, we will never let the sacrifice of our soldiers be in vain. On the contrary, we have a series of terms announced to everyone, including:

First, prisoners of war who joined the Russian People's Liberation Army were immediately released from prisoner-of-war status and regarded as German allied forces, receiving unified command and enjoying the same supplies;

Second, officers and soldiers who join the Russian People's Liberation Army and fight for it can be allocated a piece of land based on their contribution, which will take effect after the war. In the future, there will be no forced labor and collective farms in the new Russia, and there will be no terrifying internal security forces; If he unfortunately dies in battle, the land received by his family will be doubled as compensation;

Third, the army carries out normal promotions and awards in accordance with regulations. In the future, you can receive additional rewards based on your military rank, position and merit. The reward will be composed of two parts, one part is land, and the other part is the capital of state-owned factories. "Major Zikov's mouth twitched, "Since you have conducted in-depth research on the Russian issue, you will definitely understand the significance of the third reason to the social economy and people's freedom, and you will also truly understand and understand the Bolsheviks' relevant propositions and the fundamentals of the people. The contradiction between well-being. "

Kononov frowned and asked, "Is this what the Lieutenant General came up with?"

"To be precise, it was the Germans who reminded us, and I proposed the specific strategy." Zikov smiled miserably, "It's okay to tell you the truth. I am a follower of Comrade N.E. Bukharin. I worked with him at Izvestia, I was in prison for this, I was released just before the war broke out, and I was captured by the Germans right after that - you think I need to be loyal to someone because I agree with someone. What’s more, Comrade Bukharin’s choice is obviously more beneficial to the country and the people - if you are a true patriot!”

Kononov remained silent because he knew the rights and wrongs involved, and further discussion would involve the Great Purge and the Great Suppression of Rebellion.

Sure enough, Zikov said the fourth reason: "The reason why the fight against Stalin and the Bolsheviks is very important is that political system where people cannibalize people and fight against each other. You are a graduate of a military academy. Let me ask you What about the other 3 of the first 5 marshals? Do you really believe that they are spies from Germany or other countries? Let me ask you again, there are so many defeated members of the Politburo, Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the army. Senior generals, do you really believe that they all betrayed the motherland and not just because they were not completely consistent with Stalin’s ideas and lines?”

Kononov fell into a greater and deeper silence. He could not deceive himself - he had always been deeply suspicious of this process. He just kept it in his heart and did not say anything. Zikov's words brought back his most painful feelings. remember.

"You don't even need to have real evidence to identify foreign spies or traitors. As long as Stalin suspects that you are, you are finished." Zikov almost roared and vented, "Have you ever seen a complete and sufficient investigation and evidence collection process? ? Have you ever seen a proper trial and defense process? What I have seen is that someone made a judgment today, and the blue hats (referring to the internal affairs forces) came to the door at night, and you didn’t even know when you were shot. Where it offends those in power.”

"Okay, first tell me what you want me to do?"

"The first phase of the Russian Liberation Army will consist of three divisions, and you will serve as the deputy division commander of the first division."

Kononov gave a wry smile. He used to be the regiment commander, but now he has become the deputy division commander. It seems there is not much difference. The deputy division commander may not have as much real power as the regiment commander.

"Don't think that your official position is small, lieutenant colonel. The establishment of the Russian People's Liberation Army is different from that of the Red Army. We use a master system similar to the Germans. The Red Army only has 5,000-6,000 people in one division, but we have 15,000 in one division. Many people. The three divisions are just our initial establishment. As long as we prove our capabilities on the battlefield, the force will be expanded rapidly. The appointment of deputy division commander will obviously be the division commander when the next batch of divisions is formed."

"I can consider all your requests, but I have a condition."

"You said."

"I need to give them a chance to make a free choice. If the majority of people in this prisoner of war camp are willing to agree and support this change, I will agree with your opinion. Otherwise, I will never agree. If I die, I will die with them. "

"Oh well."