Stalin Lists Nazi Miscalculations

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 266, 8 November 1941, Page 8

Stalin Lists Nazi Miscalculations

HEAVY TOLL EXACTED FOR ADVANCES LONDON, Nov. 6. *'Qur army Is performing: miracles of heroism, but the enemy does not stop,” declared Mr Stalin in his speech on the anniversary of the Soviet Revolution* “Counterattacks have put out of action a grain and again new and ever new blitz units which replace those we render unfit for action. We hare filled rivers with the enemy’s blood, but he still comes on. “He has taken a large part of the Ukraine, White Russia, Moldavia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and other parts of the country, but, after four months of war the enemy’s strength is undoubtedly failing, while our reserves are coming in in increasing numbers. “France went down to Hitler from fear of the bogey of revolution. The Germans thought the same would happen in England and America. Tney relied on the creation of a coalition against Russia, but they miscalculated, and, far from remaining isolated, Rushas acquired as allies England, America, and the German-occupied countries. ‘‘Another German hope was that the Soviet Union would crack. They thought we were disorganised and tha* disturbances would break out. They were again mistaken. “The Germans, by their advance, are forced to operate in hostile territory and to create a new rear in foreign countries,” Mr Stalin added. “They are therefore vulnerable. There is no mercy for the German occupation forces. “The most unfavourable circumstances in which we entered the war contributed to our retreat. There were no English or American armies in Europe to make the Germans fight on two fronts, while the Finns, Rumanians, Italians, and Hungarians fight beside the Germans. Thus the Germans, considering that their Western Front is safe, were able to hurl all their armies and the armies of their allies against the Red Army.

“There can be no doubt that a second front—and it must certainly appear in the immediate future—■will vtfy considerably lighten our position,” Mr Stalin said.