--- title: 'Comrades in Arms! Britain and the U.S.S.R' url: 'https://samisdat.in/books/comrades-in-arms-britain-and-the-ussr-1943/read' markdown: 'https://samisdat.in/books/comrades-in-arms-britain-and-the-ussr-1943/read.md' lang: eng date: '1943-04-13' description: 'COMRADES IN ARMS I BRITAIN AND THE U.S.S.R. Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of WINSTON CHURCHILL, June 22nd, 1941. "... we shall give whatever help we can to Russia and to the Russian people. We shall appeal to all our friends and Allies in every part of the world to take the same course, and t…' --- # COMRADES IN ARMS I ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_0_Picture_1.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) BRITAIN AND THE U.S.S.R. ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_1_Picture_0.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of WINSTON CHURCHILL, June 22nd, 1941. "... we shall give whatever help we can to Russia and to the Russian people. We shall appeal to all our friends and Allies in every part of the world to take the same course, and to pursue it as we shall, faithfully and steadfastly to the end. "We have offered to the Government of Soviet Russia any technical or economic assistance which is in our power and which is likely to be of service to them." LORD BEAVERBROOK, October 23rd, 1941. "Immediately after the Prime Minister's speech when Germany invaded Russia, help began to flow to that country, and there were continuous shipments of materials and invaluable munitions to Russia from the moment the Prime Minister spoke right up to and including the very day when the Mission arrived in Russia. "... the Americans and our Mission promised to Stalin, to Russia, that we would at once ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_2_Picture_0.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) Josef Stalin, Prime Minister of restore to them from the supplies in this country and in America, from British and American exports, everything, EVERYTHING. We would restore everything that had been lost up to that moment. And let me say at once that what we promised in tanks and aircraft were exactly the figures for which Stalin asked. We promised the full figures, there was no cutting down, no hesitation, no reserve. We simply gave what Stalin asked for in the full measure." Resolution of the Central Committee of the Bolshevik Party of the Soviet Union. November the 7th—the twenty-fourth anniversary of the Russian Revolution. "Long live the fighting union of the armies and fleets of the Soviet Union, Great Britain and other freedom-loving Peoples waging a just liberating war against German-Italian robber imperialism." ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_3_Picture_0.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) Mr. Averell Harriman, head of the United States Delegation to the Moscow Conference on War Supplies, arriving in London. He was met by Lord Beaverbrook, Minister of Supply, who headed the Delegation to Moscow. Reading from left to right: Lord Beaverbrook, Mr. Averell Harriman, Mr. Anthony Eden (British Foreign Minister), and M. Maisky (the Russian Ambassador to Great Britain). # GREAT HISTORY IS MADE ## AN ANGLO-AMERICAN MISSION GOES TO STALIN Here Is An Extract From Lord Beaverbrook's Broadcast To The People Upon His Return From Moscow "It was Sunday morning. The airplanes landed smoothly on the airfield at Moscow, for our British and American Missions had arrived safely at their destination "Over the airfield three flags were flying in the breeze. The Red Flag of the Soviets with the glittering star, the sickle and the hammer; the Union Jack, and the Stars and Stripes. Awaiting us were some of the Commissars, with the British and American Ambassadors... "How wonderfully we worked with the Americans. What advantages we possessed and what opportunities we were given . . . "They sustained and supported us in everything. They gave us their entire confidence and they trusted us in all our operations. How much we owe to Averell Harriman and his colleagues we can never tell. Certainly the debt cannot be repaid. "When all the members of the three nations had been gathered together six committees were appointed. All through the day they worked, and in the evening they submitted their reports, the Russians to Stalin, the Americans to Harriman and the British to me. "Then as night fell, Mr. Harriman and I drove up the hill to the Kremlin, and there in consultation with Stalin and Molotov, with Litvinov for our interpreter, we reviewed, co-ordinated, defined and then considered the findings of the day. You will remember Litvinov. He it was who invented the phrase, 'Peace is indivisible.' "But we did not rely entirely on our interpreter Litvinov. We also devised a plan for speeding things up that worked wonders. Before going to the Kremlin we tried to anticipate Stalin's questions. We prepared answers which were translated into Russian. So when the questions came, instead of making statements through Litvinov, it was our habit to hand across the table to the Russian Prime Minister a complete answer all typed out in his own language. "When the nightly meetings at the Kremlin were over, Mr. Harriman and I would meet again at the British Embassy . . . "Now you will ask what were the conclusions we reached. Simply these, that out of the resources of Great Britain and the United States, each bearing a full share of the burden, the Russians are now being supplied with much that they asked for. And certainly with all that at present we can give them. "As for tanks and aircraft, the numbers that Stalin asked for, just so many have been promised. And lest there be any confusion, let it be said that the full numbers promised for the month of October have been provided . . . ### Stalin's demands formulated "But it was at that meeting, that memorable meeting on Tuesday night, September 30, that Stalin's demands were finally formulated. For three days we had listened to the long tale of Russian needs. For three days our committees had been ceaselessly at work considering these requirements and compiling lists for Harriman and for me. "Then came the night, the journey to the Kremlin, the meeting at 6 in the evening. We must now give our reply . . . "And we were ready, quite ready with our answers. The interpreter began solemnly and anxiously to read out each item. But there was little need for his services. The lists were familiar to us. We had studied them for long. "Most things we were ready to supply, and the answers came straight from Harriman or me. He said 'Agreed' if the item concerned the United States I said 'Okay' when Britain was producing the supplies And as the list rolled on Litvinov sprang up from his seat, crying out with enthusiasm. ### Stalin is confident "Stalin's relief was manifest. He was pleased, he was confident, he was satisfied. "Is he an easy man to satisfy? Not so. He is an exacting man, even though he does not look it. He is short of stature. Well dressed, very well dressed. There is nothing slovenly about him. He is always ready to laugh, quick to see a joke and willing to make one "His eyes are alert. His face quickly reflects his emotions. Gloom and joy are marked therein. His countenance lights up with pleasure when the word of assent is given. He is a judge of values, and his knowledge of armaments is vast and wide, comparable only to that of our own Prime Minister . . . "Now what is the significance of the promises which Mr. Harriman and I made? It is just this, that we made them on your behalf. We have pledged your faith, the faith of the working men and women of Britain and of the New World as well. We've spoken The British Delegation, headed by Lord Beaverbrook, arriving in Moscow, inspects the Guard of Honour drawn up at the airport. (Telegraphed photograph) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_4_Picture_19.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_5_Picture_0.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) The historic Three-Power Conference is concluded. Britain and the United States agree to supply the U.S.S.R. with everything Stalin asked for. In the picture, M. Molotov, the Soviet Foreign Minister, is signing. Seated on his right is Lord Beaverbrook. Officers of the British Military the word. But you must do the deed—you, the workers of Britain and of the United States as well. "Men and women alike, you are all pledged to uphold the standards of Russia on the battlefront where the Germans seek to destroy. You take your part, your splendid share in the defence of Leningrad, at the outposts of Moscow, and in the citadel of Odessa. "Stalin trusts us—Harriman and me. He puts his faith in our pledges. He believes we speak truly on your behalf. He thinks that what we have promised you can perform. "I think so, too. And I'll tell you why. It is because I am confident of the spirit which inspires you, of your eagerness and indeed your utter determination to prove that we, the men chosen to speak on your behalf in the Kremlin, on the hilltop, in the capital of Russia, have spoken no more than the truth. ## Russians continuing to "What of the Russians? Will they be able to produce munitions for themselves? Yes... "Captain Balfour, Colonel Lyon, of the American Air Force, and Sir Archibald Rowlands, of the Aircraft Ministry, all members of the conference, visited factories where aircraft are produced. All three tell me they place the aircraft and the engine factories for efficiency and capacity on the level of performance which we have reached in this country, and in the United States "Colonel Lyon tells of the decision to construct an airfield for the reception of the British and American aircraft we have been sending to Russia. A forest was cleared. A swamp was drained. A road was driven. Two long and wide runways were built. Yet that airfield was completed within 30 days. ## Russians can use all munitions we make for them "Now, you may ask, can the Russians use to the best advantage the weapons made for them at home and abroad, in Britain and in the United States? Yes... "Indeed, the Russians have a genius for mechanisation. They can be relied upon to make full use of the opportunities our forges and factories provide for them . . . "On the production of tanks and aircraft let us then concentrate our energies. There is need for a plan of production of these weapons on foundations vaster than any yet laid down or by many even contemplated. Let us aim at 30,000 tanks, let us say we will mobilise ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_5_Picture_15.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_6_Picture_0.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) Mission are seen on the right. Directly above the head of the official turning over the leaves of a document can be seen M. Litvinov. Mr. Averell Harriman is standing directly behind M. Molotov, and Marshal Voroshilov is fourth from the left. (*Telegraphed photograph*) so many for the day when our defensive operations are abandoned in favour of the attack . . . "The Russian Prime Minister knows that the people of Britain will see this job through. He knows they mean to fight to a conclusion, to carry on until the victory is won . . . "We have before us the Russian spectacle of splendid sacrifice. Shall we fail in our self-denial here, that these friends and Allies may have comfort there? "We will forgo food from abroad if the ships are needed for Russia. We will give up all our leisure if munitions are required to defend their cities . . . "Stalin must be sustained. The Soviet Union must be enabled to enter the spring campaign with adequate supplies of all munitions of war. Over everything, tanks, anti-tank guns, aircraft and anti-aircraft guns. "These are the promises we made to Stalin in Moscow in your name. These are the pledges that we shall carry out." Another picture taken on the airport when Mr. Averell Harriman and his party arrived in England to join the Anglo-American Mission to Moscow. Reading from left to right: Lord-Beaverbrook, Mr. Anthony Eden, Admiral H. Standley of the U.S. Navy, who accompanied Mr. Harriman, and on the right, Mr. John G. Winant, U.S. Ambassador to Britain. ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_6_Picture_9.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) # BRITAIN'S TANK FACTORIES ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_7_Figure_2.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) . . . and here is a long train-load of Britain's fine new tanks on their way from the works. Just a small part of Britain's great output of tanks, much of which is now going to Russia to replace the Soviet losses. # ARE WORKING DAY & NIGHT In this factory bay, "Waltzing Matilda" heavy infantry tanks are being assembled, and in the bottom picture, they are seen leaving the works under their own power, complete and ready for action except for their guns. They will be entrained at once for a British port and will be on the high seas for the U.S.S.R. in a few days. ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_8_Picture_3.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_8_Picture_4.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) # "HURRICANES" ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_9_Figure_2.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) One of Britain's greatest fighter planes, victor in the Battle of Britain, the Rolls-Royce engined single-seater "Hurricane," is being despatched in large quantities to the Soviet Air Force. Many have already arrived and have done yeoman service against the Luftwaffe. Above you see a Russian sentry guarding one of them on an advanced Russian air field. ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_10_Figure_0.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_11_Picture_0.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) # "TANKS, TANKS MORE TANKS" M. Maisky—Soviet Ambassador— ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_12_Picture_0.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_12_Picture_1.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) Lord Beaverbrook has made it plain, that from the very day the Pact of Mutual Assistance was signed by Sir Stafford Cripps in Moscow, help began to flow to Russia in a continuous stream, tanks, more tanks and still more tanks. Britain's workers went to it with zest. This picture shows a delivery of Britain's well-tried "Waltzing Matilda" tanks on the quayside waiting their turn to be lifted into the hold of a British cargo boat. ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_12_Picture_3.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) Factories are working overtime on tanks. ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_12_Picture_5.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) . . . and here you see them on the assembly line ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_12_Picture_7.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) This man is finishing off the crankshaft of a tank's engine. ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_12_Picture_9.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) A "Waltzing Matilda" being mounted on its track. ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_13_Figure_2.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_14_Figure_0.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_15_Picture_0.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) Over the scorched earth of their own beloved country—before the gates of their beautiful new cities, Russia's mighty armed Divisions are tearing great gaps in the Panzer Divisions of Hitler's army. These are heavy Russian tanks breaking cover to attack the Germans. (Telegraphed photograph). ## WE WILL NEVER LET THEM DOWN! In this telegraphed photo, Russian infantry are seen following up the great infantry tanks—a German shell bursts on the right. Millions of Soviet citizens are now engaged in a life-and-death struggle. Britain is working day and night to help them. ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_15_Picture_4.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_16_Picture_0.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_16_Picture_1.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) - In this remarkable picture one of the Soviet's giant tanks escorted by an armoured car has penetrated the enemy's line. Its biggest gun is aimed (in readiness) to the right, and the armoured car's gun is aimed to the rear. - 3 Soviet parachute troops have been dropped in thousands behind the German lines. The Soviet army was one of the first in the world to develop this method of fighting. In this picture you see a mass descent from Russian troop-carrying planes. - 4 In this picture you see orderly Zalman Grinker carrying a wounded Soviet soldier to safety. In the space of a few days he saved 72 wounded soldiers in this way. (Photo, presented by M. Stalin to Lord Beaverbrook.) - The Soviet Navy stands ready in the Baltic, the Arctic and the Black Sea. Here is a torpedo gunner. The photograph below was also presented by M. Stalin to Lord Beaverbrook and shows columns of Soviet armoured cars leaving for the front. ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_16_Picture_8.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_16_Picture_9.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_16_Picture_10.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_16_Picture_11.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_16_Picture_12.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_16_Picture_13.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_17_Picture_0.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ## SOVIET Soon after the invasion of Russia a Mission of Soviet staff officers arrived in London to co-operate with our own Staff. Here you see the Mission, headed by General Golikov, arriving at a London station. On General Golikov's right is M. Maisky, the Soviet Ambassador to Great Britain. Here is one of the visiting Soviet officers; he is in the Soviet Air Force, and is shown here at the controls of one of our giant "Stirling" 4-engine bombers. During a flight he took over the controls as second pilot. ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_18_Picture_0.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ## OFFICERS COME TO BRITAIN Frank admiration is expressed on the face of the Soviet officer above examining an anti-aircraft shell during a tour of inspection of London's defences. The officers with wings on their caps are Soviet Air Force men. Those on the left with high collars are naval officers (the third from the left is an Admiral) and the officer on the extreme right is a tank corps officer. ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_18_Picture_3.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_19_Picture_0.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) These men are in the Soviet Air Force; they have all been decorated for valour displayed in the war against Hitlerite Germany. # THEIR FIGHT ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_19_Picture_3.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) On the left you see some of the Soviet's heavy tanks moving in formation. This Russian nurse, E. Vershova, has been decorated; she donned a simple house-dress, and penetrated into villages temporarily occupied by the Germans and obtained valuable information about the enemy's position. Guerrilla fighters like the brave Soviet citizen on the extreme left attack the enemy behind his lines. These Russian parachute troops line up for inspection before a flight behind the enemy's lines. ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_19_Picture_8.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) A clever and prophetic Russian cartoon of 1936 titled "The Boot fits well." Soviet factories are working overtime. Many of them have been rapidly moved eastwards into the heart of the U.S.S.R. and production has been resumed. ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_20_Picture_1.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) # IS OUR FIGHT Ships of the Soviet Black Sea fleet patrol the southern shores of Russia watching for the enemy. On the extreme right is a group of Soviet airmen before taking off. Lieutenant Zdorovisev has been decorated for supreme bravery. He holds the rank of "Hero of the Soviet Union." The Russian sailor on the extreme right is manning torpedo apparatus. Grand young men of the Soviet tank corps are lining up for inspection. ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_20_Picture_8.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) Another clever Russian poster. "Spiritual Offspring or a new 'scientific' revelation." ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_20_Picture_10.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ### J 1 ) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_21_Picture_3.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_21_Picture_5.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_21_Picture_7.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_22_Picture_4.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) he ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_22_Picture_13.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_22_Picture_20.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_22_Picture_24.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) ![](https://samisdat.in/user/pages/03.books/1943%20-%20Comrades%20in%20Arms/read/_page_22_Picture_26.jpeg?g-1351ebf7) 4 No. 1.05 N y Y 60 ·V 2 --- ## Navigation - Parent: [Comrades in Arms! 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