Wairarapa Times-Age WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1942. RUSSIA AND HER ALLIES.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 October 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1942. RUSSIA AND HER ALLIES.

JT is reasonable to believe that .Allied offensive action in a. number of war theatres, with the North African and Mediterranean campaign continuing to take an important place in the total picture, will before long make an end of the discontent felt by those Russians who believe honestly that their country is being' left to carry more than its fair share of the common burden. It may also be hoped, however, that even as matters stand the responsible leaders of the Soviet Union take no such extreme and erroneous view on this subject as some Russians are said to entertain. In one of yesterday’s messages from London, for example, the Moscow correspondent, of the “Sunday Times” was quoted as stating that the view of the average Russian soldier was: — With his failure to achieve victory in Russia, Hitler has probably lost his last chance. Thanks to whom? Thanks to us and almost to nobody else.” If that is the view of the average Russian soldier, it is none the less fantastic nonsense. No one, of course, can fail to be impressed and saddened by the tremendous burden and the terrible losses Russia has suffered in fifteen months of war. At a recent date it was computed that the Soviet Union had suffered losses of fighting men, killed and wounded, totalling more than five millions and that more than 40,000,000 civilians had been lost through casualties or the occupation of Soviet territory by the Nazis. The highest respect an'd admiration must be felt for the indomitable and unflinching valour with which the Russians have withstood the onset of the most formidable military machine in the world. All this being said and emphasised, however, it is not legitimately open to the Russians or anyone else to contend that Britain has not borne or continued to bear her share of the common burden, or that Britain and the United States are doing now less than could be expected of them. Not only did Britain stand unaided against Nazi Germany for a year, after the fall of France, and while Russia was either depending on her non-aggression pact with Germany or using it as a means of gaining time for preparation, but British aid and latterly American aid have made it possible for Russia to set such limits as have been set to the invasion of her territory.

Tn the year that followed the fall of France the possibility of ultimate victory for the forces of freedom was kept alive by Britain, supported only by her partner States of the Empire and the valiant contingents of her dispossessed Allies. Desirable as it may be that a second hind front should be opened in Western Europe at the earliest possible moment, it is merely foolish to rate as less than of commanding importance and effect the mighty efforts that Britain has made during more than three years of war, in sea, air and land campaigns and in her factories and fields. Amongst other great facts that must be recognised in any rational outlook are the time needed to mobilise and deploy the fighting power of a nation like the United States and the positive assistance the English-speaking Allies are rendering to .Russia in engaging Japan in the extent to which she is already being engaged in the Pacific.

As has been said, the time of a great broadening of Allied offensive action appeal’s to be at hand, but in any event much of the talk about discontent in Russia over the relative part played in the war by her Allies, in the extent to which has any effect, plays directly into the hands of Nazi and other Axis propagandists. The ideas expressed are precisely those these propagandists will do their utmost to develop as the defeat of the gangster dictatorships comes more plainly into prospect. It is vital to all members of the grand alliance of the United Nations that every device of enemy propaganda, and everything which would assist that propaganda, should be rejected with contempt in the remaining conduct .of the .war and in determining the conditions of world peace.