Iron Cross

A majestic steel train puffed out smoke and drove across the Ukrainian plains. This was no simple train, but Hoffman's special train for the head of state. Not only is it heavily armored, but it is also protected by thousands of heads of state guard flags, and there are also planes constantly circling overhead.

While the "Pearl of Peace" project was in full swing, Hoffmann once again left Berlin and rushed to the Eastern Front. On the one hand, he began to visit Eastern countries, and on the other hand, he planned the next stage of strategic policy towards Russia.

It is the golden harvest season on the fertile Ukrainian plains. The Ukrainian farmers working in the fields just raised their heads to look at the special train out of curiosity, and then immediately lowered their heads to harvest their own crops - yes, themselves! For the vast majority of Ukrainians under the age of 40, they have almost never owned crops of their own. For as long as they can remember, all fields have belonged to the Soviets.

Although they worked hard to grow a large amount of food, all output belonged to the collective farm. Even though everyone was a member of the collective farm, they could not decide where the grain belonged. Curious children often ask their elders: "Why do we grow so much food and end up starving sometimes?"

"Because all the food has been delivered to Moscow to Comrade Stalin."

"Comrade Stalin needs to eat so much food by himself?"

"He doesn't want to eat it, but the party and the country do..."

But starting in 1943, the situation was different. The independent Ukrainian government conveyed the opinion of the head of state that all collective farm land should be completely, fairly and justly distributed to the Ukrainian people who support the government. Those who are willing to join the Ukrainian Defense Forces and fight side by side with the Axis Allies can enjoy more, Better land allocation policy. At first, no one believed that the Germans had such good intentions. After defeating Stalin, the Führer actually did not want Ukrainian land and instead distributed land to the Ukrainian people?

Although owning your own land is the "Ukrainian dream" of every Ukrainian, when the dream comes true, most people can't believe it. They worriedly communicated privately: Is this a method used by the government to allocate land according to people, but when the autumn harvest comes, the government will send out troops to take away the food? In other words, it is not clear about grabbing food, but setting high taxes, just like renting fields from landowners? Or is it true that the land distribution is true, but it is not free, and Ukrainians have to pay a large sum of money - a debt that will be compounded for generations and never be repaid?

The rumors were finally shattered one by one. The Ukrainian people happily took over the land and started spring plowing with hesitation. Although everyone wanted to plant more crops, no one was sure what the future situation would be like - what if Comrade Stalin came back? Will land be collectivized again? Ukrainians have suffered a lot.

To be honest, Hoffman is not a saint. He understands the importance and strategic value of Ukraine very well. However, after repeatedly weighing the pros and cons and thinking, he finally gave up the idea of ​​actively annexing Ukraine - although he really wanted Ukraine. Germany also needs a food-producing area like Ukraine, but the differences between the Ukrainian people and the German people are too big. Even during the time of the Knights of Brandenburg, the Holy Roman Empire had never ruled this land. Annexation will inevitably bring about various acclimatization. .

In the end, he turned to hope to maintain a Ukrainian regime that is close, friendly, and independent to Germany within the framework of the European Union. This friendship cannot be based on military "liberation" or mutual relations between leaders. There must be other more important and far-reaching strategies. Gaining independence for Ukraine is the short-term goal, while distributing collective land is the long-term goal. As long as this policy is successful, no matter how turbulent the political situation is, as long as Ukraine is no longer subverted or annexed, the Ukrainian people will always remember the benefits brought by the Germans, and then turn this gratitude into unwavering support.

At high-level meetings of the National Socialist Party, Hoffmann emphasized more than once: "After the end of the war and the establishment of the European Union, our relations with Italy and other countries will be adjusted. The support and cooperation of Eastern countries will be a very critical factor in the future. They are not only the first line of defense against the Bolsheviks, but also the pillars that consolidate our European unity and determine Germany’s status.”

The policies of Eastern countries are summarized in three aspects: political independence - the ideology is based on pro-Germany and nationalism as the foundation; self-reliance in national defense - countries establish complete military systems, maintain close ties with the German Wehrmacht, and gradually get rid of confrontation Germany relies on military protection and ultimately realizes the unification of equipment, organization and command; economic reciprocity is comprehensive - Eastern countries are integrated into Germany's overall economic and industrial division of labor system, and the people enjoy all kinds of freedoms and have clear goals.

In order to strengthen the policy advancement, he not only issued the "Joint Declaration on Safeguarding the Independence and National Liberation of Eastern Countries", stating that Germany has no territorial claims to other countries, established national defense forces of various countries and quickly armed them, he also adopted a farm-to-household strategy - such as The Bolsheviks want Bolsheviks. In order to promote agricultural development, Hoffman even went to great lengths to squeeze out more than 2 million tons of diesel fuel from extremely precious military fuel for spring plowing in Eastern countries.

This effort has paid off. Starting from late July, various Eastern countries, including the Baltic Sea, Belarus, Ukraine and other countries, have begun to enter the autumn harvest. Large areas of oats, wheat, and corn have entered the harvest period. August and September are the climax of the autumn harvest.

He signaled his attendants to draw up the curtains of the carriage, pointed to the harvest scene outside and said to Speer, who was accompanying him on the inspection: "This is really a refreshing scene. I really want to stop and take a good look."

"Do you regret giving up Ukraine?"

"I was a little reluctant when I first decided, but now I am completely relieved."

"Then you have to take a good look at this rare harvest scene." Speer smiled, "Agricultural experts have estimated that the total grain production of Eastern countries is expected to reach 40-50 million tons, and Ukraine alone may exceed 35 million tons."

"How much is Germany?"

"Less than 25 million, and there are still a large number of prisoners of war farming in Poland..."

Hoffman suddenly said: "Let the train stop in front, I want to go down and take a look."

Inspecting agriculture is not the main task of the head of state. He has never understood agriculture, let alone the role of a national leader who knows everything and can guide all work, but he knows the importance of these tens of millions of tons of grain. He sighed: "After the autumn harvest is completed this time, the fate of the Eastern Front is basically determined, and Stalin will never come back..."