Some Russians Fight, Under Pressure, For Nazis

Northern Advocate, 28 June 1944, Page 3

Some Russians Fight, Under Pressure, For Nazis

LONDON, June 27 Russians, under a good deal of pressure, are now fighting for the Germans in complete battalions and regiments, says Supreme Headquarters. The Allies have already encountered Russian troops among the lower grade German divisions in Normandy. Some give up fairly easily, others are still fighting. The correspondent of the “Daily Express” at Cherbourg, told of three Russians who had been impressed into the German army, and who were assisting American medical orderlies. One from Stalingrad was a chauffeur, aged 30. He was captured early in 1942, and said he joined the German army after 13 months, when told that his wife and young daughter would be shot if he did not join. The second Russian, aged 19, from Orel, joined the Germans after he was persuaded that he would receive better treatment than in a prison camp. The third Russian, a farmer, aged 44, from Kirov, was taken prisoner in 1942, and joined the German army after five months, because he felt he could escape more quickly. These three deserted from a German unit when they heard the American guns at Cherbourg, and gave themselves up to the first Allied patrol encountered.