STALIN REVIEWS SUCCESSES

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23880, 24 February 1943, Page 3

STALIN REVIEWS SUCCESSES

Order Of Day To Red Army

“MASS EXPULSION OF ENEMY ” (N.2. Press Association—Copyright) ißcc. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON. Feb. 23. M. Stalin has issued a special order of the day on the occasion of the twenty-fiftn anniversary of the Red Army, of which he is Commander-in-Chiei. “Owing to the absence of a second front in Europe the Red Army is bearing alone the whole burden of the European war,” he says. “Nevertheless, the Red Army has not only withstood the German onslaught, but has also in the course of the war become a menace to the German Fascist hordes.

"Three months ago the Red Army started its offensive at the approaches to Stalingrad. Since then tne initiative in military operations has remained in our hands.

“The Red Army's striking power is not weakening. On the contrary, under difficult weather conditions it is now advancing along a 900-mile front and is almost everywhere achieving success.

"In three months the Red Army has cleared the enemy from large areas of Soviet territory, including the Voronezh and Stalingrad regions, and almost the whole of the Rostov, Kharkov, and Kursk regions. The mass expulsion of the enemy from Soviet lands has begun. “The reason for Germany's failures on the Russian-German front is that the balance of forces has changed for a while, Germany is becoming exhausted and weaker. The Soviet Union is expanding its reserves and becoming stronger. Time is working against Germany. “German casualties since the outbreak of the Russian-German war total 9,000.000, including at least 4.000,000 killed. In the last three months alone the Red Army has smashed 112 enemy divisions, killed more than 700.000 men and taken prisoner 300,000, and captured more than 7000 tanks, 4000 aeroplanes, 17,000 guns, and huge quantities of other war material. "The Rumanian, Italian, and Hungarian armies have been completely smashed. The Red Army’s aim is not only to liberate the Soviet land, but also not to allow the enemy to get out of the country alive. “Not Finished Yet” "The German armies are going through a crisis because of the blows received from the Red Army, but this does not mean that they cannot recover. The light with the German invaders has not finished.yet. It is only developing and flaring up. The Red Army is still facing a treacherous, cruel, and as yet, strong enemy. The struggle will take much time, demanding all our strength and the mobilisation of all we have. "The German invaders are offering ferocious resistance and counter-at-tacking in an attempt to hold on to their defence lines in order eventually to embark on new adventures. That is why there is no room in our ranks fir complacency, negligence, or conceit. It would be absurd to presume that the Germans will give i up even one kilometre of our country without a fight. “The whole of the Soviet people rejoices in the Red Army’s victories, but we must all firmly remember the precepts of our teacher, Lenin; ‘First, not to be carried away by victory, and not to boast; second, to consolidate victory; third, to defeat the enemy completely.’

“In the name of the liberation of our country from the hated enemy, and in the name of final victory,” said M. Stalin, “I order first, the. perfection of military training and the strengthening of discipline, order, and organisation throughout the Red Army and* Navy; second, stronger blows against the enemy, giving him no chance day or night to consolidate defence lines, and the annihilation of encircled enemy troops refusing to surrender; third, the spreading of guerrilla warfare in the enemy’s rear. Herein lies the guarantee of our victory. “Long live our great country, our glorious Red Army and Navy, and our, gallant men and women guerrillas. Long live the Bolshevik Party, the-in-spirers and organisers of the. Red Army’s victories. Death to the German invaders.”

RED ARMY DAY

MR ROOSEVELT SENDS MESSAGE Mr Roosevelt has sent a message to M. Stalin on the Red Army’s twentyfifth anniversary, expressing profound admiration for its magnificent achievements, which he says are unsurpassed in all history. He adds that the Red Army and Russian people have surely started Hitler’s forces on the road to ultimate defeat. Such achievements could only be accomplished by an army under skilful leadership,' with sound organisation and adequate training, and above all, determination to defeat the enemy regardless of the cost and self-sacrifice. “I wish to pay a tribute to the Russian people, who are giving their full efforts to the war, and those who are making the supreme sacrifice,” Mr Roosevelt said. A warm tribute was paid to the Red Army on its twenty-fifth anniversary by the United States Government and Labour officials for the American people. Mr Sumner Welles, United States Under-Secretary of State, said; “I am glad of the opportunity to express our satisfaction over the magnificent military exploits of the Soviet armed forces, following the epic defence of Moscow, Leningrad, and Stalingrad. These armies have scored and are continuing to score brilliant offensive victories against the brutal invaders of their country. These victories are a great encouragement to the forces of the United Nations, which, in many parts of the world, are waging a rcientless struggle by land, sea, apd air against the forces of aggression. They are an inspiration to every man and woman who loves liberty,”

OBSERVANCE IN NEW ZEALAND

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 23. The flag of the Soviet Union, with its emblem of the hammer and sickle, was flown from Parliament Buildings and also several Government buildings to-day in honouu of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Red Army. Three flags were flown over the main entrance to Parliament Buildings, the New Zealand Ensign taking the central position, flanked by the Union Jack and the Soviet Union’s flag. The following cablegram has been sent by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) to the British Ambassador in Moscow: ‘‘Will you please convey on the occasion of Red Army Day a most cordial message of congratulations and goodwill to M. Stalin from the Government and people of New Zealand, who derive the utmost inspiration from the magnificent achievements of the Soviet forces. It is their heartfelt wish that the victorious advances of the Red Army todav will soon result in the speedy liberation of all Soviet territory and the removal of the menace of Nazi aggression from Soviet Russia, as from the rest of the world.”

PREPARATIONS AT BRITISH PORTS

SWISS NEWSPAPER QUOTES REPORT

(Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 22. Quoting a report from Le Havre that the Luftwaffe is singularly interested in enormous preparations at certain British ports, a Berne newspaper says that German reconnaissance has led to the belief “that we.are.on the dve of pn ■ -irriish attempt of unsuspected audacity.”