WAR OF LIBERATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 February 1942, Page 3

WAR OF LIBERATION

STALIN’S ORDER OF THE DAY CONFIDENCE IN VICTORY. BUT STERN STRUGGLE STILL AHEAD. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, February 23. “The Red Army knows it is fighting for a noble cause, namely, a war of liberation. Therein lies the Red Army’s strength and the German Army’s weakness,” said M. Stalin in an Order of the Day to the Red Army. “When Hitler treacherously attacked us last June he underestimated his new enemy. We retreated, but while doing so dealt telling blows. We never doubted that the enemy would be halted and eventually routed. The war will now be different, because the enemy is no longer able to surprise us. The Soviet people do not delude themselves that the enemy is already beaten. On the contrary, a stern struggle is still ahead. “The Red Army does not aim at the destruction of the German people. It is probable that this war will end Hitler’s clique, but it would be ridiculous to identify Hitler’s clique with the German people and the German State. History teaches that Hitlers come and go, but the German people and the German State remain. “The Red Army is sometimes accused of annihilating the Germans out of hatred for everything German and that no prisoners were therefore taken. That is a stupid lie and a libel on the Red Army, which is free from all sentiments of racial hatred. The Red Army annihilates Germans not because they are German but because they want to enslave our country. “During recent operations, the German garrisons at Klin, Sukhinichi, Andreapol and Toropets were summoned to surrender. Life was promised them. They refused and many lost their lives. The Red Army takes prisoners when they surrender. It Gorky’s words: ‘When the enemy refuses to surrender he is annihilated.’ “Comrades,. I congratulate you on the Red Army’s anniversary and wish you complete victory over Germany. Long live our glorious motherland. Under Lenin’s banner, forward! “We have liberated completely the Moscow and Tula regions, and dozens of towns and hundreds of villages in other regions,” M. Stalin continued. “The Germans no longer have the advantage of surprise. The following factors are now the deciding ones: Solidity of the rear, morale and the spirit of the army, the quantity and quality of the divisions, armament, and the ability of the High Command. “The Germans thought their army unbeatable, and that they would defeat the Red Army by themselves. Now they are supported by Italian, Rumanian and Finnish armies. For the present the Red Army has no similar support, but the German army is suffering defeat after, defeat and the Red Army is driving the Germans westward. “The hour is not far distant when the Red Army will drive the enemy from the approaches to Leningrad and clean up White Russia, the Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Kareila and the Crimea. > “Nevertheless we know the enemy is still strong. We must not forget it. It is essential to increase the stream oi ' new reserves and arms production.” RECEPTION IN LONDON HONOUR PAID TO RED ARMY. ON BEHALF OF ALLIED GOVERNMENTS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) RUGBY, February 23. The Soviet Ambassador (M. Maisky) gave a reception at the Soviet Embassy •

in London tonight in honour of the 24th anniversary of the creation of the Red Army. Mr Churchill was prevented from attending by a last-minute call of urgent business. The Allied Governments were all represented, as were the Dominions and the British fighting services. Messages of congratulation on the magnificent achievements of the Red Army have been sent either to M. Stalin or M. Maisky by the heads of the Allied Governments in London.