Popandopulo in Berlin
For once there was free time. I decided to watch a documentary film by a certain V. Pravdyuk “World War II. Day after day". Although he came out in 2005, but I only had time now. On all 96 series. But my meticulousness and attention to detail turned this action into torture. After the 10 series, I already looked from the principle - you need to know everything that is said about us. Even if it is said by a journalist who glorifies the monarchy, and everyone who was against it calls it “mad cattle”, automatically transferring this hatred to all “sovetskys” and their descendants.
But, having reached the 82 series, I was already enraged. It begins with the show of V. Pravdyuk of the famous photo “The Soviet soldier takes a bicycle from a German woman”. Shows with gusto, with an increase in details.
After viewing this photo, any person can have only two reactions:
“What reptiles and marauders are these Soviet soldiers!”
- What a bastard indiscriminately smears the army of the victorious people, who liberated all of Europe from Hitler's plague!
What did V. Pravdyuk choose? I'd rather quote him.
“This photo is loved to be printed and shown in Western sources. A Soviet soldier on the streets of Berlin is pulling out an old bicycle from the hands of a German woman. We do not know how it ended there: did the soldier take possession of the captured bicycle, or did the German manage to defend him - both participants of this drama make me feel sorry for me ”.
That is, “yes, beloved veterans, I agree, you are marauders,” after which he tries to portray the hare discount to the side, saying, I'm not me, and not a bunch of mine, I showed the photo to take pity on the soldier. But the discount fails, too much hatred V. Pravdyuk.
"...Look at how our soldier who came to Berlin is dressed - he's a beggar, like many of our other soldiers and officers who came to Germany were beggars. And not this soldier should be a symbol of robbery and looting. The Nazis plundered in the eastern regions much more brazenly and efficiently. But something completely different is the behavior of Soviet generals in occupied Germany.". That is, marauders are all, but the lower ranks must be forgiven. Next, V. Pravdyuk cites the example of three generals and one general's wife, pribarahlivshihsya in occupied Germany, and makes the necessary conclusion: “...This is the difference between a Russian general and a Soviet general. And not only that.».
The idea that V. Pravdyuk is trying to convey to the viewer is as clear as day: The Red Army is an army of poor marauders, criminal in essence. How can you pour crocodile tears about the “faithful and sold people”, about the great, but forgotten “regime” veterans, to whom he dedicated this film - and immediately smear them with mud, “by chance” from all the photographs depicting non-festively dressed Soviet soldiers, choosing exactly THIS. The only photo from the whole huge, many thousands of military photos, there are no other such photos. Yeah, I believe he accidentally stumbled ...
This photo itself does not require signatures. The plot is such that all the informative trough of the picture is poured by author's shit to the brim and reaches the viewer without spilling a drop. For those who have little knowledge of military uniform, a clarification is made: “Russian soldier”. And that's all.
I wanted to show that the damned power spat on the people, on the army? Yes please! Here is a photo, what is bad? Put - and spill, what poor soldiers, who in a leather jacket, who in a padded jacket, who in general in x / b - golimaya poverty! The button on the quilted jacket is from the overcoat, the neighbor does not have an asterisk, yy, bloody Stalin! And against the background of the Reichstag - in general a bum with a gun.
Well, you do not believe our photos, take the "truly democratic." There, too, it is clear that our soldier's pants are a bit wrong, and they are clearly not very good in color with a tunic ...
But for some reason V. Pravdyuk does not do this. Maybe because even in this form, our army causes sadness in some, and admiration and respect in others? And everything is clear to everyone - the problems with the form are caused by the fact that in recent years the fighters and commanders burned out the plague in Nazi Europe, and did not prepare for a meeting with German women, stuffing cigarettes and stockings into their pockets ...
This photo hurt me very much. And what is happening on it, and what the individual bastards use to try to convince others. In general, I decided to deal with this photo from the point of view of a simple Soviet soldier. It is clear that it is necessary to begin from the original source. Climbed into the "Internet" and began to wonder. It turns out that no one was seriously engaged in this photo. All the little things. For all the years? Maybe I'm blind?
The search revealed to me that the source was found by a certain Dmitry Lyskov, who got to the bottom of the original photo and the author's inscription under it. The article is called "On the Question of One historical falsifications, or About the picture "Soviet soldier takes a bicycle." He painted his searches in detail. I will quote only the original signature: "Russian soldier trying to buy a bicycle from a woman in Berlin, 1945. The misunderstanding happened after a Russian soldier tried to buy a bicycle from a German woman in Berlin. Giving her money for the bike, he believes that the transaction took place. However, the woman thinks otherwise».
It is clear that such a signature is like a “leap to the side” of V. Pravdyuk. Imitation of non-participation in throwing natural fertilizers on the propeller of the story. In addition to this, I got acquainted on several sites that the cap of the “bicycle occupant” looks like a Yugoslav one; in the background an officer of sworn friends hatched. Moreover, what is the difference between an overcoat and a raincoat, and is it it? Everything! The main thing is the fact of this photo, and its interpretation remains unchanged.. That is what did not suit me.
Gaining arrogance, I decided to put a final, fat point on this photo.
The first option: recognize the fact of looting and begin to poke around in details.
A lot of variants of this image are online, most of which are cropped (I think, not without intent), so for the analysis of the composition I propose the original, found by Dmitry Lyskov, God bless him and his mistress. Here it is.
I counted on it 20 people. I designate:
- foreground (main roles): 1 - soldier, 2 - frau;
- the second and third plan of Valya in a heap (those who immediately catches the eye) and mark from left to right (and call): 3 - retiree, 4 - smoker, 5 - reveler in a hat, 6 - reveler without a hat, 7 - Shapoklyak, 8 - neighbor, 9 - bald, 10 - whistler, 11 - rattle, 12 - leader, 13 - Hitler youth;
- I assign the fourth plan: 14 - an ally (behind the “soldier”, strokes around the foot in the shoe), 15 - heel (only the crown of the head without a hat is visible and the heel on the heel is dotted); 16 is an observer (in a scarf, peeping from behind a frau), 17 is a shy man (hiding behind everyone, also pulled his hat at the time of the photo, and fixed - a hand with a hat and eyes from under it), 18 - a prude (hid behind the rattle, her face was covered with an incomprehensible rag, but her legs betrayed - a dash-dotted line), obviously passing 19, 20 - hard workers.
Ignoring others, the “soldier” takes the bike away from Frau. So that the viewer does not confuse who takes away from whom, two bags are hung on the steering wheel at once - right and left. "Soldier" pulls, Frau does not let go, the crowd in disarray. A passing photographer tears the lens cap off, a click - and the photo fills up the archive of the American company Corbis.
Let's start the analysis in the reverse order. Confused crowd. But ... from the entire crowd, 9 from 18 is looking at the conflict. Actually, they look five (3, 8, 11, 12 and 16), the party (5) and the ally (14) are on the same line with the soldier and the photographer, so that they could look at both one and the other; and the modest and shy (17 and 18) hid their faces, and it is not clear where they look and see if at all. Well, let all doubts be interpreted in favor of the accused. So suppose 9. They stare at the photographer - three (4, 7 and 9). Someone else is to the right of the photographer, and this “someone” is so interesting to the witnesses of the crime that at least two (10 and 13) consider him more important than the marauder. Or maybe already tired? If the whistler (10) just looks, then the "Hitler Youth" frankly spat on everyone and poses himself. Perhaps that is why on most of the pictures in the internet it is cropped ... And three of them (15, 19 and 20) fall out of the big picture, and the passing hard worker (19) generally openly laughs at what is happening.
Judging by the poses of the observers, the conflict lasts a long time, all (except for those who are working hard workers) have stable poses that look more like a line at a stop. The only reveler (6) is in motion in small steps, although it is more like the classic "step forward and two back." That is, everyone has already figured out the essence of the nightmare that is happening, someone had to gesticulate indignantly, someone to start for the patrol, and on the faces should be ... anything, except for the observed universal pofigizma! Moreover, 9 is good-naturedly bored, 10 is also close to that, and stray (11) looks at a marauder with a strange expression, more reminiscent of interest.
Well, the facial expressions of the main participants. Angry, indignant, scared? I beg you, take a look at them through pince-nez ... Emotions - like my oiled hamster! It seems that not a Russian soldier robs a German woman in Berlin, but an Estonian - Finns in Helsinki ...
Judging by the shadows, it is overcast in Berlin, but for some reason an Allied American is wearing dark glasses. Habit? And what is he doing there at all? Why American - you can compare, the same jacket without shoulder straps, boots, field cap, only the emblem on it is different.
I think if our officer saw John or Bill straighten the wheel for a German, he would either have shocked him or whistled their MR (military police), or something, but he wouldn’t stand in his pockets as a witness. Controls? Or ... protects from real Russian?
Why did I doubt that this “soldier” is Russian? Yes, because the soldier himself.
1. Why is the fighter alone wandering around Berlin? In the Red Army, the first orders at a new location - on the organization of accommodation and security, internal, guard and garrison services. The first thing that brains any fighter with is the territory of the unit (field camp or quartering area), the territory of the garrison, their borders, the order of movement in the garrison and beyond, the order of exit and the daily routine. The main word is a ban. The prohibition of self-going beyond the limits, the prohibition of solitary movement, solitary bathing, communication with the local population. Not Samara or Konotop around, but the capital of an enemy state taken by the same fighter "on a bayonet". Do you seriously think that walking alone in such a city is safe? And what the fighter does not know?
2. Where weapon this soldier ?! I repeat the question in detail - where are the weapons of a fighter who is in the occupied city as part of the occupying forces?
3. He mad - openly rob the population? I quote:
«Order of the garrison commander and the military commandant of Berlin on the regulation of the political and socio-economic life of the city № 1 Berlin 30 April 1945
... 11. The units of the Red Army and individual servicemen arriving in Berlin are obliged to quarter only in the places indicated by military commanders of districts and areas. Red Army soldiers are prohibited from carrying out without permission, without the permission of military commanders, the eviction and resettlement of residents, the seizure of property, valuables and searches of residents of the city».
In the open access a lot of documents, starting with reports of commanders of all degrees to reports of prosecutors of the front in each individual case. Specifically: violence, robbery, looting (in the report of the military prosecutor of the 1 of the Byelorussian Front - “the flea market”). Concrete cases are cited, the result is sad everywhere: “... arrested, the case is completed by the investigation and transferred to a military tribunal for hearing”.
For interest: at the finish line of the 1st Belorussky included 13 combined arms, three tank and two air armies - according to various sources, from 900 thousand to 1 million people (this is without the 2 armies of the Polish Army included in it). And the front prosecutor gives out a surname (!) List of criminals, which indicates both the number of crimes and the quality of the fight against them. But the suicide continues to act "encore", despite the "gathered" crowd and the presence of allies who should have passed it like glass containers?
4. Dress. Oh ... Starting from the top. Some of this kapelyuh called the cap. I agree, but not in our army. I singled it out, and stuck ours next, in the same perspective. It is immediately obvious that the form of the cap (without a characteristic forward bevel) and the length-height ratio do not even coincide with the new ones, i.e. high, the top of the girl zenitchits.
- What do you have with your head?
- Money!
- Semyon Semyonych ...
T-shirt and trousers. Yes, there used to be two sizes in the army, big and small. Yes, we, too, didn’t take everyday cotton-skinned, patching after every fizo, tactics or shooting range. But so to the end of the war? Or does someone want to tell me that this is a recruit, only from the train with the replenishment? And immediately, to Berlin, they say, he ordered two German bicycles to the military commissar for not sending them to the fleet ...
Boots Popandopulo immediately made me think. My first calluses in the soldiers' boots, I earned - did not guess! - on the front of the calf, just below the knee. He rubbed his top. The fact is that Soviet boots, like the cap, have their own characteristics. In the photo in the lower right corner - standard soldier's boots, and from different factories. Right - 40-th size, left - 44-th. But the tops - almost the same level. This is the good tradition of the Russian soldier's boot. For example - photos of the Russian, Soviet and Russian army. "Our" soldier is unlikely to repeat my feat. I deliberately pushed the object of his passion towards him in order to compare the size. Very close, even with perspective. Whoever doubts, can compare the size of the hands (I believe they did not dress a German man ...), in general, “our” is far from Hercules, and the size of his shoes is clearly not 44 — 45. But if you apply the standard Russian ratio “sole-leg”, then the size of the boots of the “soldier” should be somewhere under 47 ... No matter what you say, the leg is clearly short for a Soviet boot.
Anyone who loves more accurate numbers, I can tell you a way to measure the entire photo. The size of a bicycle wheel, like that of the old Soviet “Ural” or “Ukraine,” someone even expressed a seditious thought that their patterns were taken from German ones. And this is 28 inches - 71,12 cm (diameter of wheel rim 62,2 cm). Just do not forget the perspective.
And one more little thing. Both are on a flat asphalt. Slippers Germans fit snugly to the asphalt, and the soldier has an incomprehensible gap. I saw this only on mountain boots and German boots. The reason - spikes (nails). That is why the Germans, even on a flat iron floor, have a gap under the soles, while the Soviet regulator has no gap, despite the fact that her legs are almost at the level of your eyes. Who is not enough - in the internet mass photos of the Second World.
I admit the presence of captured boots - but not three months after the end of the war. Well, okay, trifle means trifle. I simply noted to myself that, of the whole form of the marauder, to “our” can only be attributed so far as a tunic and trousers ...
And then I collect all the former soldiers to watch the Discovery Channel “Skatka. What it is made of. ” Read opinions that the overcoat is wiped so that ... Throw! If she didn’t crawl onto the suhpay for the moth, whatever it may be, the felt tube of centimeters 15-20 in diameter will come out anyway. The more "wiped", the more this "pipe" will take in the shape of an oval in cross section. But she will never hang with a crumpled rag! Having seen the photo for the first time, I decided that the Germans had stolen the curtain from the Germans ...
For those who didn’t manage to defend their homeland, I’m recommending the Instructions for Laying, Fitting, Assembling and Putting on Camping Equipment for an Infantry Soldier of the Red Army, 1941, to understand the essence of the roll. Trust me, nothing has changed in 70 for years.
He hanged himself there, one Almighty knows. The funny thing is that this “warrior” put a roll over his right shoulder. And “this is how the commander determined” will not work here: firstly, not according to the regulations, secondly, the commander understood the clerk that, with such a distortion, he would have to carry personal weapons in his hands, the belt on his shoulder does not hold. And thirdly, and this is important, the fighter may have to shoot at any moment. But to mastyrit butt to the skate when shooting is recommended only saving on the dentist, the problem of the teeth will be solved with the first shot. And with this placement of the roll, the butt can no longer be stuck, except under the arm ... But Allah was not an adviser to the crest, so our Popandopulo fastened something incomprehensible, and even through the right shoulder.
I will disappoint those who think that they are wearing a tent. For its dimensions (180 x 180 cm), what hangs in the photo is a bit big. And the main question is disturbing: why the hell did he go with her? In addition to the cloak-tent, the mass of gadgets is included in the soldier’s equipment: a belt-carrying bag; spare bag; bag for shops or cartridge belt breastplate, etc., etc. There is a complete (1) and lightweight (2) camping equipment (with a lightweight soldier simply does not wear a duffel bag). In this case, the fighter must have with him a coat or cloth in the over-shoulder roll-up tent, which worn last but not least. How the cape-up roll actually looks like, shows the reconstructor from the site “Boundary”.
What we learn from what has been said? And the fact that our dunce before leaving the light took everything off! The first to remove the cape, then the duffel bag ... Belts, pouches, gas mask, shovel - down! Weapon threw !!! One strap on the belly left. Even a modern fighter in the summer from the barracks in his own garrison without a flask does not come out, if you have forgotten - the day-to-day will not let out: the devil knows where you will be in an hour and that there is water. And here in the broken city, where the water supply system is absent as a phenomenon, and where there is, it is mixed with sewage; It is not known that the local in the water sypanut. "Our" and the flask did not take. But neatly pulled on top of the cloak. Suddenly a rain ?!
Moving smoothly to the second optionI can assume only one situation when it is needed. When creating a staged photo. To portray the Russian soldier is not a problem; the problem is if real Russians see it. And Berlin, by the way, they took. And modest in front of the allies, they are only at official receptions. And if they think of a setup (or one of the local people whispers) ... You can shoot everything that means a combatant from an artist, but then who needs such a “marauder” - think, a released prisoner or a hard worker in rags, who cares!
The way out is simple - to dress the artist in as close as possible to the real form, only without insignia and emblems of belonging, to turn the tower so that the absence of an asterisk doesn’t catch the eye, and to cover the missing epaulets from the photographer with a raincoat tent or lapserdak white If anything, he pulled the cap off, the raincoat incomprehensible put it on himself. But the Slavs will be tied up — well, yes, your b / c was presented, and the cap from Broz Tito, the men from the murdered Nazi in general, and we ourselves are not local, but not the mange of the system ...
Now consider the second option - staged photo. Before that, we considered all the issues, except the place of the snapshot. The reason for this is the place itself. As soon as you find it, you immediately understand - the photo is staged.
So, we are forgers. All questions were settled, the plot is there, the composition was obsmakovili, the heroes were dressed up, the crowd was herded. It remains to choose a place. And this, that no one has any doubts - this is really Berlin, not Honolulu. So that all this place would be known, and if there is a discrepancy, so that it would be a great escape.
The ideal fake photo: a well-known place-time, clearly recognizable character and an unambiguous interpretation of his actions.
In Berlin, there are not so many places that are decorated with columns in several rows. I began to search with all the famous Brandenburg Gate, the benefit of the columns there are a lot. I will not paint what it looked like, but I found the place. And stunned. The picture was taken at the Brandenburg Gate, the “Russian soldier” did not waste time on trifles. At first, I wanted, probably, to “take away” from the Reichstag - but there is more and more on motorcycles, he does not follow the order ...
The fact is that the gate itself stands at the intersection of Unter den Linden and Hermann-Göring-Straße. Namely, on the street to them. Hermann Goering (now Ebertstraße) and passed the border of the occupation zones. Brandenburg Gate and all that east - Soviet; west of the Brandenburg Gate (Tiergarten) - the British zone of occupation (schemes in the "internet" sea).
Admire the location. On the left photo we look at the Soviet zone from the British, further beyond the gate is the famous Unter den Linden. On the right photo - on the contrary: right outside the gate begins the British occupation zone, the Tiergarten area, more precisely, the famous Tiergarten Park of the same name.
For clarity, I marked on the photo the place of photographing and the intended placement of the entire group on the ground, including the photographer, highlighting it in red for clarity and increasing its growth in comparison with the others present in the photographs. And immediately another question arises: what are they all doing there, on the border of two zones of occupation?
What the hell are they standing there for? Where did they come from, before the fighter approached them and began to take away the bike? Or did they get involved in a conflict? Then why is half of them not paying attention to him? I would understand if there was a stop, but, first, it is not there, I checked it according to the schemes of those years (the Germans are pedantic people), the bus stop number 6 on 50 meters north, near the turn at Dorotheen Straße, other stops north There is no Brandenburg Gate, following as far as the Reichstag. Secondly, from the 564, the surviving 368 buses could not move at all, and the 153 were under repair. Therefore, the bus service in Berlin was so frequent that the stops looked like this:
Thirdly, what does a German woman with a bicycle do at the bus stop? How are our “private traders” waiting for the bus to leave for a fee to take those who did not fit in?
Let's take a closer look. Tiergarten Park is right up to the gate - at that time the largest black market (nothing can be trusted to these Britons, they will banish everything). On the left - this is how it looks today (1 is the place of the photo, 2 is the bus stop at the time), on the right is the photo from this market.
The most interesting thing is that in the American (!) Life magazine they wrote:
«The soldiers of the Red Army, who have paid their debts for several years, need cameras, clothing, and especially watches. Americans, British and French - in their pockets are different suitable for sale things, they only need money. Russians in need of consumer goods are passionately craving, gullible and rich, and therefore the best buyers. The authorities were forced to begin the prosecution of Allied armies convicted of selling army property, but before that the Americans had made huge money". To whom is war, to whom is my mother native
So, at the end of the war, Russian soldiers were given a lot of money, on the black market one could buy anything you want, even a jeep (Life writes!), And leaned against the wall for looting. Well, guard, we go to the Germans to "tear the bikes"?
By the way, again, the right picture: what did I write above about solitary and unarmed walking? The group of our girls, who spend their money allowances, do not observe weapons (which does not mean that they are not there, they stand in a heap), but one of our officers stepped in so that the holster got out from under the tunic (3). For the Americans I will keep silent, and so everything is clear.
To confirm the correctness of the location I give two more photos with the designated place of Russification of the Nazi bicycle. On the left - the view from our side (inspection of the gate), on the other - from the British (Montgomery presents British awards to our marshals). In both pictures you can see the stairs among the columns, which is in the staged photo in the upper right corner. Well, a bunch of other details for attentive. For reference, the horses on the roof "go" to the east, to the Soviet sector.
After clearing the streets, through traffic was opened through the gate, two rows on the left and two on the right, an adjusting post and signs “Speed limit 5 km / h” were installed in the central row. In the future there was equipped with a checkpoint.
Taking pictures next to the post at the famous gate is not prohibited, for sure the traffic controllers are all fed up and photographers are already fed up, and the photo session is taking place somewhere aside. But rob at the post, expecting someone to scream now ...
And for a snack. Bicycle something for men, with a high frame! Pay attention to the bag on the steering wheel, the one on the right - it lies on the frame. Have you seen our "Urals"? Dimensions remember? I found a bike like a German. One to one, even a clever handbrake, only the German has no dynamo on the fork, although the headlight is present. I wonder how frau applied it? I doubt that she lifted her skirt like our schoolgirls, and she hardly knows how to ride “under the frame” like our boys. Used it to carry bags on the steering wheel, so as not to carry in your hands?
Let's sum up.
The first version: robbery in broad daylight.
Main questions:
- who are all these people (spectators), where they came from and what they are doing there;
- why others have such an unusual reaction: from complete disregard to smiles and laughter;
- why the picture shows an American soldier, but does nothing;
- why is the soldier alone and unarmed;
- why the soldier is not dressed in size, with a clear violation of the form of clothing and the use of elements of an alien form;
- why the soldier looting openly, in the center of the city, near the post, and even on the border with another occupation sector, i.e. in a place that has initially received increased attention;
- why the soldier does not react to those around him (an American, a photographer), although according to all the rules of the genre he, having “slept”, had to throw this “frau” and give a tear; but he continues to pull the wheel, and he does it so long that he has time to take a picture, the quality of the photo is almost studio. The old camera, on which only the cocking and rewinding of the frame took a few seconds. And given the choice of shutter speed and aperture ...
My version: staged photo.
All answers to the questions are above.
To discredit the former allies, it was decided to make a “photofact” confirming the crimes of the Red Army in the occupied territory. For those who firmly believe in our allies, I remind you about the Nazi divisions they are forming, attempts to sign Germany’s surrender in the absence of the Soviet command and Operation Unthinkable.
The place of the photo was chosen, the Brandenburg Gate, so that the scene of the incident (Berlin) is not in doubt. The shooting is carried out on the border of two zones of occupation, near Tiergarten Park, which, if the situation develops unfavorable, will quickly move to the British zone of occupation and get lost in the park among visitors of the largest black market.
An extras designed to depict the indignant civilian population of Berlin, apparently, gathered in the same place, in Tiergarten Park; perhaps, from there, and "frau", and her bike. The actor depicting a Russian soldier was dressed in elements of various military uniforms, trying to get as close as possible to the image, while avoiding conflict with the Soviet military, without using authentic elements of uniforms, epaulets, emblems and insignia. With the same purpose refused to use weapons.
When creating the composition, the actor was deployed so as to hide from the camera the absence of a badge, awards, breastplates and stripes; the absence of epaulets hid an imitation of a roll, which they had to wear in violation of the charter (which they, quite probably, were not aware of).
At least one US Army soldier was present during the shooting. The goal: from the control of the photographer to ensuring his safety (perhaps he was not alone - the “whistler” and the “Hitler Youth” were stubbornly staring somewhere). As always, the Americans in case of failure under the tanks will throw the British: your zone, you and moss. To work out the "legend" of finding so many people in one place did not have time or simply did not bother, which complicated the creation of a plausible composition on 100%.
People from the extras hired out of special talents (or desires) did not have (or did not pay much), so the shooting was treated carelessly. Only five people are defined as “witnesses to the conflict”, the rest are completely indifferent, or behave completely inadequately applied to this situation.
The lack of time and the likelihood of conflict with representatives of the Soviet contingent forced the photographer to quickly shoot the material without correcting errors both in the design of the “hero” and in the behavior of the crowd. After that, everyone quickly and amicably fled.
But there are still people who believe in this fake. And those who use it themselves for throwing mud at veterans, in the love and respect for which he had just sworn.
Pravdyuk pissed me off. Strong.
Until Victory Day three and a half months. I wonder how many more jackals will come out with this photo?
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