SWORD PRESENTED
GIFT TO STALINGRAD CEREMONY IN TEHERAN (Reed. 8.45 p.m ) LONDON, Dec. W Marshal Stalin kissed the Stalingrad sword which was Britain's tribute to the people of Stalingrad when Mr. Churchill presented it to him at an impressive ceremony in the conference room at Teheran on November 29, says Renter's correspondent in the Persian capital. Twenty British soldiers of the Buffs lined one wall facing 20 Russian machine-gunners. The sword was held by a British lieutenant. Mr. Churchill entered the room bareheaded in the uniform of an air commodore. Marshal Stalin wearing the uniform of a Marshal of the Russian Army entered by a door opposite and stood facing Mr. Churchill across the table. Behind him stood the Soviet Foreign Minister, M. Molotov, and Marshal Voroshilov. President Roosevelt also entered and sat on a chair. A Russian band struck up the Internationale and the British National Anthem. Mr. Churchill stood at the salute and Marshal Stalin raised his right hand with the fingers half-clenched. Then Mr. Churchill said: "Marshal Stalin, I have at the command of His Majesty to present to you for transmission to Stalingrad _ this sword of honour. His Majesty himself approved the design. On each face of tne sword is the following inscription in Russian and English: 'To the steel-hearted citizens of Stalingrad, a gift from King George VI. in token of the homage of the British people.' " Marshal Stalin replied in a low voice, expressing Russia's appreciation and pleasure. The British lieutenant handed the sword to Mr. Churchill, who passed it to Marshal Stalin. The latter drew the blade, touched it with his lips and passed it to Marshal Voroshilov.
KOREA'S INDEPENDENCE (Herd. 7,: i() p.m.) CHUNGKING, Dec. r> Kim Koo, President of the provisional Korean Government, described the Cairo declaration that Korea would he given her independence "in due course" as absurd. He said: "Korea will continue to fight any aggressor or group of aggressors unless given independence the moment Japan collapses. '
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24760, 7 December 1943, Page 3
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328SWORD PRESENTED New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24760, 7 December 1943, Page 3
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