Figure 1.--The Germans when they first entered Ukraine were treated like liberators because of Soviet oppression. Here Germsan soldiers are being tsken into homes. Hartmann was taking the photograph. If the Germans had supported Ukranian indeoendence they would have made a valusble ally. Hitler would, however, not hear of it.

While occupied Western Europe had no interest with war in the East, the occupied East was different. The Germans were so brutal in Poland, there were be no interest there. But the sutualtiion in the Baltics and Ukraine was different. Here the Germans were treated as liberatirs--the inky non-German population to welcome the Wehrnmacht. There was interest in the Baltics because of Soviet brutality (1940-41), but even combined these Baltics were small countries. with small popoulations and caoabilitues. The Finns , anxious to regain land seized in the Winter War (1939-40), were interested, but only to retake lost land. They were not prepared to go further. Urkraine was different. This was a sizeable country where the Germans ciould have recruited quite a number oif divisions. Soviet brutality, especially the engineered genocidal Ukranian Famine. had alienated the Uktanian people. Hitler would, however, not hear of arming the Ukranians. They along with the Poles, BaltsBylorussians were among the proole slated for destruction as part of Generalplan Ost. Ir did not look like they would even be need in the ooening ohase of Barbarossa. This assessment of course changed as the campaign played out. Hitler was, however, implaccable. Eastern Europe was to be brutally ruled, not liberated. Ukranian nationalists attempting to set up a nationmal government were arrested.

Created: 1:50 AM 9/18/2020
Last updated: 1:50 AM 9/18/2020