ACT OF HOMAGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 December 1943, Page 3

ACT OF HOMAGE

BRITISH SWORD OF HONOUR PRESENTED TO STALINGRAD. IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY AT TEHERAN. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright' LONDON, December 5. Marshal Stalin kissed the Sword of Stalingrad, which is Brittan's tribute to the people of Stalingrad, when Mr Churchill presented it to him at an impressive ceremony in the conference room on November 29, says. Reuter’s Teheran correspondent. Twenty British soldiers of the Buffs lined one wall, facing 20 Russian machinegunners. The sword was held by a British lieutenant. Mr Churchill entered the room bareheaded and in the uniform of an aircommodore. Marshal Stalin, wearing the uniform of a marshal of the Russian Army, entered at a door opposite and stood facing Mr Churchill across the table. Behind him stood M. Molotov and Marshal Voroshilov. President Roosevelt also entered and sat in a chair. A Russian band struck up the “International” and the British National Anthem. Mr Churchill stood at the salute and Marshal Stalin raised his right hand with the fingers half clenched. . 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 of which his Majesty himself has approved the design. On either face of the sword is the inscription in Russian and English: ‘To the steel-hearted citizens of Stalingrad. The gift of King George VI in token of the homage of the British people.’ ” Marshal Stalin replied in a low voice expressing the Russians’ appreciation and pleasure. The British lieutenant handed the sword to Mr Churchill, who passed it to Marshal Stalin. Marshal Stalin drew the blade, touched it with his lips and passed it to Marshal Voroshilov, who was a hero of Stalingrad.