Katyn Forest

Press, 25 July 1986, Page 16

Katyn Forest

Sir,—l suggest to M. Creel that “The Press” of 1943 did not have a monopoly on the recording of history. In his letter of June 23 he admitted that not everything recorded in newspapers of the day was factually correct, hence his declaration (July 16) that he relies so heavily on these reports makes his whole argument somewhat absurd. It is not a case of exonerating Nazi Germany, rather one of illustrating Soviet guilt, establishing it officially being impossible in light of the many political skeletons in the closet over this

„ affair. Nothing short of an admission would satisfy M. Creel, of course, but for others interested in knowing the truth, there are well-researched sources available beyond the annals of “The Press,” the reports of which I assure M. Creel I also am familiar with. Interestingly, the Soviets were unsuccessful in pinning responsibility on the Nazis at Nuremburg.Yours, etc.,

A. C. GRANT. July 22, 1986? ’ Sir,—-A War historian, Professor John Erickson, appears to support M. Creel. On page 88 of his two-volume work, “The Road to Berlin,” he explains that his research is based on American, British apd Soviet archives. In. this second volume he writes that at 9.15 . p.m., on the evening of April 13, 1943, Berlin Radio announced the discovery near Smolensk (Katyn) of a great pit, 28m by 16m, filled with 12 layers of bodies of Polish officers “clad in full military uniform; hands tied behind their back and shot in the head.” The total figure given was about 10,000. Goebbels was overjoyed at the success of this propaganda coup, although on May 8 he confided in his diary that “German ammunition has been found in the graves at Katyn, one item of information to be kept top secret else the whole Katyn affair would have to be dumped.”—Yours, etc., W. J. COLLINS. July 24, 1986.

Sir,—With reference to this dreadful incident, it becomes apparent that Mr Creel doth protest too much. It is known communist policy to kill intellectuals in order to assist their brainwashing programme. Had not communism risen its ugly head, Mr Creel could have been an ingenious supporter of the flat-earth theory. — Yours, etc., R. LEWIS. July 23, 1986.