Stalingrad Symbol of Faith

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 49, 27 February 1943, Page 8

Stalingrad Symbol of Faith

Originally an agricultural centre, Stalingrad grew miraculously to be one of Russia’s greatest industrial cities. .“Stalingrad is like a banner to the Russian people,” said Mr. Mikheev, Australian correspondent of Tass Agency, in Sydney recently. “It was defended not only by people who were born and lived in Stalingrad, but by the people from the villages, too, who were trained at the factory schools and who later became workers in tank and other works. The last official census showed a population of 450,000 people, but between 1926 and 1939 the population was trebldd. Of course, since then even, it lias increased again.” One of Russia’s biggest tractor plants in Stalingrad was transformed very quickly into a tank factory. “Stalingrad,” said Mr. Mikheev, “is a symbol of the achievements of the workers, of tho new growth and new life of Russia. “When the Germans came to Stalingrad the workers did not leave. They used what workshops they had to repair tanks and guns. Then there was the order by Stalin that it must not go, that is why I say Stalingrad is like a banner.