In the    last week of April, 1944, in the 244 th  week of World War II, when a fierce and determined Soviet Army was preparing to attack Nazi Germany, from the Arctic to the Black Sea; when across the English Channel, the Allies were amassing the greatest amphibious invasion force in History, to breach his Fortress Europe; Adolf Hitler, the Fuehrer, the Head of the Nazi Party, the Head of the German Government and the Head of the German State, made a pronouncement to German    generals. He told them, in no uncertain terms, that there was only one way to victory, a true, sincere  belief in the reigning Ideology. He told  them, that competence on the battlefield no longer mattered; he told them that Competence could no longer ensure victory; only blind devotion to Nazism could win the day. In military matters, in existential matters, in life and death  matters, placing ideological devotion over competence is madness. Hitler placed ideological  devotion over competence; and lost his war.

This Blogger has an old adversary, from the Cold War,    turned soul mate; this Blogger met him in    the Soviet Union. This Blogger was on vacation in the Soviet Union, with Linda, checking out icons; he was a tour guide, who became infatuated with Linda.   After the fall of the Soviet Union,  because of his linguistic ability,  he did well, financially; ; upon retirement, he and his wife moved to Sardinia ( why Sardinia? People live there a long time  Gerry).   This Blogger heard from him perhaps once every nine months; he last heard from him in May, 2022, and then again  last Friday.   He emailed this Blogger, furious. He had discovered a novel had been published  about Olga Kameneva; a novel based on alternative history. In the novel, Olga survived her execution by Stalin and moves to Australia.   The old Soviet fumed :” That is like saying Custer survived the Little Big Horn, and moved to Brooklyn to open a bagel shop.”   This Blogger was commanded to craft a Blog on Olga Kameneva