It turns out that a large part of this famous church has been converted into an "atheistic museum". The furnishings and layout are very rough, and they are completely incomparable with the sculptures and icon paintings in the church influenced by Guderian.
.
Only the auxiliary chapel on the right side of the Orthodox chapel in Smolensk still retains its original appearance and is used for religious ceremonies.
Although the local Soviet government was preparing to bury the silver altar ornaments and candlesticks underground before the German troops arrived, Guderian's armored troops arrived too quickly, and the holes in the ground had just been dug, but the items were not there yet.
No time to bury it.
Looking at these silver altar ornaments and candlesticks, Guderian was not prepared to take them as his own. After all, the German military disciplines in this generation were stricter, and they were strictly prohibited from looting local items and property in order to win over the people's hearts.
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As Reinhardt's confidant generals, Guderian and the others knew very well that Reinhardt did not make these financial plans precisely for the greater benefit. That is, to form a large number of People's Liberation Army in the Soviet Union, and with the Allied Powers
Let's liberate Moscow together and defeat Stalin.
Thinking of this, Guderian suddenly discovered a fact.
These days, due to the continuous fierce battles, he only focused on military arrangements. It was only now, after entering this church and seeing these silver products and the holes in the ground, that Guderian suddenly discovered that these properties, this church, and the
Everything already belongs to Germany!
Every time the German army captured a land, the people there became German subjects. The property here belonged to Germany's national property. The buildings here were also German buildings.
Yes, why rob the finances? Of course we cannot allow soldiers to rob locals!
They are all German citizens, how can we rob them?
And this church and the silverware here have been German property from the moment the German army occupied Smolensk. Not to mention that the Soviets planned to bury it, even if they didn't bury it, the German army would not be able to take the things away.
Walk.
"Lieutenant Colonel Hans." Guderian ordered his staff: "Go and inquire about the civilians around you and try to find a religious local to take care of these items."
"Yes, I will take someone to find him now." Lieutenant Colonel Hans, who knew Russian, immediately stood at attention and saluted after hearing this.
After a while, Lieutenant Colonel Hans, who was extremely efficient in his work, led an old priest with a white beard into the church.
Seeing this, Guderian stepped forward and said to the priest through the interpreter of Lieutenant Colonel Hans: "Hello, Mr. Father. You see, we are all soldiers and cannot manage this place well. I hope that this church
All the items inside will be left to you for safekeeping. Religious people can continue to say mass here."
After thinking about it, Guderian then added: "No German soldiers are allowed to take away any items in the church, and soldiers are not allowed to live in the church. In addition, if you think it is appropriate, I can stay
Two soldiers to assist you in protecting the property and safety here."
Then, in front of the old priest, Guderian asked his staff to draft an order prohibiting Duan Huo from stealing church property, signed his name, and handed it to the old priest.
Finally, he looked at the old priest who was a little surprised and a little excited, and said word by word: "God bless you, Father, no fire of war will enter your church."
"Thank you..." After listening to the translation, the old priest looked gratefully at Guderian, the noble occupier who looked like a big shot with his general's epaulettes, and said slowly: "I haven't seen you for a long time.
To hear that a big man like you still believes in God and respects our faith."
"Before you, the government officials who were taken down were either asking us to make rectifications, or they were using atheistic slogans to bully our believers." It was obvious that the old priest was very excited. He had not met such an enlightened big shot for a long time: "Yes.
At that time, I really envied you Westerners, you can choose your faith as much as you want, and all churches can be respected by the government."
"Then I can congratulate you, Father, you are now one of us." Guderian said with a smile: "You, and the people here, can have your freedom like us."
The priest was stunned for a moment, unable to realize the established fact that Smolensk already belonged to German territory.
"Well, Mr. Father, if you don't mind, I can arrange for someone to get your German citizenship certificate later today." Standing aside, the SS party representative stood up and said.
Compared with the Soviet army, Reinhardt creatively arranged a party representative for every battalion-level and above-level unit of the German Wehrmacht. His role was similar to that of the political commissar of the Soviet army. He was responsible for guiding the emotions of the soldiers and leading the troops.
ideological work and convey the will of the National Socialist Party.
At this time, in Guderian's headquarters, the party representative assigned to Guderian's armored group army saw the opportunity and stood up at the right time.
You must know that the identity of this old priest is destined to have an impact when he becomes a German national. The Orthodox Cathedral in Smolensk is already very famous. The priest who manages the church takes the lead in becoming a German national, which will have an impact.
Many believers' image of Germany dilutes their hatred and increases their ability to integrate.
Winning over local gentry and influential figures is a favorite method of occupiers all over the world, and virtuous party representatives naturally also like this method.
"Well, as long as we can protect this church and our believers, it doesn't matter." The old priest didn't know whether he saw the intention of the party representative, but just nodded lightly to express his agreement.
Perhaps, in the eyes of this old man, these are not important. What is really important to him is the promise Guderian just gave him.
"Okay, let all our people evacuate here and don't disturb this church." Guderian waved to the guards who followed him into the church.
"It's time for me to leave. Lieutenant Colonel Hans, please arrange for two people to be responsible for protecting this place, and they must understand Russian." Before leaving, Guderian did not forget to explain a few words.
After walking out of the church door, Guderian immediately told the party representatives around him: "Smolensk is still within the coverage of Soviet artillery fire. If you want this famous city to be completely peaceful, you must completely eliminate the surrounding enemies.
military."
"You are right, General Guderian. In terms of military matters, you are better than me, so I have no objection." The party representative nodded very kindly, agreeing with Guderian's words.
After all, they had a clear division of labor. Guderian was in charge of military affairs and he was in charge of politics.
However, he was a little confused as to why Guderian would mention military arrangements to him at this time?
