WORLD TRIBUTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 February 1942, Page 3

WORLD TRIBUTES

PAID TO RED ARMY ON ITS ANNIVERSARY DAY. ‘ BRITISH AND AMERICAN MESSAGES. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, February 23. Celebrations of the Red Army aniversarny, including patriotic meetings and sports, are being held in towns throughout Russia and also among units of the Russian army, navy and air force. Entertainment is being arranged for the troops at the front, to which trainloads of presents are speeding from all corners of Russia. M. Stalin has issued a special Order of the Day to the Red Army. Celebrations are being held in Britain also, and for the first time in Australian history, Red Army Day is being observed in every State, ■ and the Red Army flag is being flown. Among the many tributes is one from General Macarthur, U.S. commander in the Philippines, who said that the hopes of the civilised world were placed on the banner of the Red Army. Messages containing congratulations from the British army and air chiefs are being handed to the Soviet Chief of Staff. They are signed by General Sir Alan Brooke, chief of the Imperial General Staff, and Air Chief Marshal Portal, chief of the Air Staff, and wish the Red Army and Air Force all possible succes in the great task Of liberating their country, stating: “Together we shall secure final victory over the common enemy.” ADVANCE CONTINUES ON CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN FRONTS MESSAGE FROM LORD MAYOR OF LONDON. EPIC HEROISM OF RED ARMY. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) RUGBY, February 23. The Russian advance continues on the central part of the front as well as in the south, where fresh progress was reported last night. A morning report announces the occupation of an important place in the Kalinin sector and an advance in another sector in the centre. The following message has been sent to the President of the Moscow Soviet by the Lord Mayor of London: “On behalf of the citizens of London I offer heartfelt greetings and congratulations io the Red Army on their victories, dauntless courage and heroism which will form one of the epics of world history.”