SOVIET CELEBRATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24850, 25 February 1942, Page 5

SOVIET CELEBRATIONS

RED ARMY ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTES TO ACHIEVEMENTS W : RUGBY, Feb. 23; I,n the, course of his order of the day M. Stalin said: "We have liberated completely the Moscow and Tula regions and dozens of towns and hundreds of villages in other regions. The Germans ho longer have the advantage of surprise. The following factors are now the deciding ones: Solidity of morale and the spirit of the army, the quantity and quality of our divisions, armament, and the ability of the high command. "The Germans thought their army unbeatable, and that they would defeat the Red Army by themselves. Now they are supported Dy the Italian, Rumanian, and Finnish armies. For the. present the Red Army has no similar support, but the German Army is suffering defeat after defeat, and the Red Army is driving the Germans westwards. - "The hour is not far distant when the Red Army will drive the enemy from the approaches to Leningrad and clean up White Russia, the Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Karelia, and the Crimea. Nevertheless, we know the enemy is still strong. We must not forget it.is essential to increase the stream of new reserves and arms production." Celebrations in connection with the Red . Army anniversary, including patriotic meetings and sports, are being held in towns throughout Russia, as well as among units of the Russian Army* Navy, and Air Force. Entertainment is being arranged for the troops at the front, to which trainloads of presents are speeding from all corners of Russia. t M. Maisky gave a reception at the Soviet Embassy in London to-night, in honour v of the , anniversary. Mr Churchill was prevented from attending by a last-minute call of urgent businesa. The Allied Governments were all represented, as were the dominions and the British fighting services. Messages of congratulations on the magnificent achievements of the Red Army have been sent either to M. Stalin or M. Maisky by the heads of the Allied Governments in London. The following message has been sent to the President of the Moscow Soviet of London: "On behalf of the citirens of London I offer heartfelt greetings and congratulations to the Red Army on its victories, dauntless courage, and heroism, which will form one of the epics of world history." The chairman of the London County Council sent this message to M. Stalin: m THt bth'aTf of London, I^s&a^hes^^congratulatiohs J on the twenty-fourth anniversary of the Red Army and on the outstanding military genius and epic bravery displayed by officers and men in resisting German

aggression. London salutes the Russian people." The Netherlands Government, in a telegram to M. Maisky, also paid a tribute to the Red Army. It read: "On behalf of the Netherlands Government, I wish to convey to your Excellency on this day an expression of my deep admiration for the glorious achivements of the Russian Army." MR CHURCHILL'S MESSAGE (Rec. 0.45 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 23. Mr Winston Churchill sent the following message to M. Stalin on the twenty-fourth anniversary of the foundation of the Red Army, which is being celebrated to-day after an eight-months. campaign which has reflected the greatest glory on its officers and men and enshrined its deeds in history for all time:—" On this proud occasion I convey to you as Chairman of the Defence Committee of the U.S.S.R. and all the members of the Soviet forces the admiration and gratitude with which the peoples of the British Empire have watched their exploits and our confidence in the victorious end of the struggle against the common foe."