SAFETY PLANS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 290, 7 December 1943, Page 3

SAFETY PLANS

TEHERAN DELEGATES

Tanks And Armoured Cars

Patrol Streets

Rec. 11 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 6. Some weeks before the Big Three arrived at Teheran for the Allied Conference, the Germans dropped a number of parachutists and saboteurs in Iran, six of whom were still at large at the date of the meeting, reports the Cairo correspondent of the Associated Press. Because of this, elaborate safety measures were taken. Tanks and armoured cars patrolled the streets of Teheran and thousands of heavily-armed troops, in addition to scores- of Ogpu secret service intelligence agents were on duty. Heavy and complete air cover was also provided. Marshal Stalin kissed the Stalingrad Sword which was Britain's tribute to the people of Stalingrad when Mr. Churchill presented it to him at an impressive ceremony in the conference room at Teheran on November 29, says Reuters correspondent in the Persian capital. Twenty British soldiers of the Buffs lined one wall facing 20 Russian machine-gunners. The sword was held by a British lieutenant. Mr. Churchill stood at the salute and Marshal Stalin raised his right hand with the fingers half-clenched. Then Mr. Churchill said: "Marshal Stalin, I have at the command of His Majesty to present to you for transmission to Stalingrad this sword of honour. His Majesty himself approved the design. On each face of the sword is the following inscription in Russian and English: 'To the steel-hearted citizens of Stalingrad, a gift from King George VI. in token of the homage of the British people." Marshal Stalin replied in a low voice, expressing Russia's appreciation and pleasure. The British lieutenant handled the sword to Mr. Churchill, who passed it to Marshal Stalin. The later drew the blade, touched it with his lips and passed it to Marshal Voroshilov.

MIDNIGHT OIL Allied Chiefs Of Staff Work Or, Military Decisions FAR EAST AND EUROPE Rec. noon. LONDON, Dec. 6. Military decisions and details perhaps related to the sessions at Teheran have posed a planning problem which has kept the British and American chiefs of staff busy ever since, says the Cairo correspondent of the National Broadcasting Company. The Chief of the United States Army, General Marshall, the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, Admiral King, and the Chief of the United States Army Air Corps, Lieutenant-General Arnold, as early as Friday morning conferred witn their opposite British members. General Sir Alan Brooke, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Andrew Cunningham, and Sir Charles Portal. These sessions have continued at a location which for the moment is secret. The first joint talk took two hours and a half. The combined military chiefs held a really strenuous session last night and worked without interruption until 3 a.m. It is not surprising that the generals and admirals are burning the midnight oil considering the scope of the Far Eastern military decisions as taken at Cairo and the obvious problems confronting Britain and America in Europe.