This pyramid of soviets in each constituent republic culminated in the All-Union Congress of Soviets. The Germans intended to use Dzhugashvili in their propaganda against the Soviets. In "Tintin in the Land of the Soviets", the Bolsheviks were presented as villains. The consequences of German militarism remained a fresh memory among the Soviets and Eastern Europeans. Germany attempted an encirclement attack at Kursk, which was successfully repulsed by the Soviets. The Gatow air disaster exacerbated tensions between the Soviets and the other allied powers. Local authorities were organized likewise into party committees, local Soviets and executive committees. In periods between convocations of the Congress of Soviets the CEC held supreme power. Strange found new allies within the Soviets. Kuhn became a prisoner of war of the Soviets after the 20 July plot. He ignored the limited mobility of the army and the difficulties of disengaging the Soviets. The air battle resulted in heavy casualties for the attacking Soviets. He entered into negotiations with the British and Soviets. Despite this, their ideas gained them increasing popularity in elections to the soviets. China desperately needed the economic and military aid promised by the Soviets.