The Allied Campaign in Africa, Answers to Associated Press Moscow Correspondent
November 13, 1942
The Moscow correspondent of the American News Agency, Associated Press,
Mr. Henry Cassidy, addressed to J. V. Stalin, as Chairman of the
Council of People’s Commissars of the U.S.S.R., a letter in which he
asked for an answer, either verbally or in writing, to three questions
of interest to the American public. In reply, Stalin sent Mr. Cassidy
the following letter:
Dear Mr. Cassidy, – I am answering your questions which reached me on November 12.
(1) Question: What is the Soviet view of the Allied campaign in Africa?
Answer: The Soviet view of this campaign is that it
represents an outstanding fact of major importance, demonstrating the
growing might of the armed forces of the Allies and opening the
prospect of the disintegration of the Italy-German coalition in the
nearest future.
The campaign in Africa refutes once more the sceptics who affirm that
the Anglo-American leaders are not capable of organizing a serious
military campaign.
There can be no doubt that only first-rate
organizers could carry out such important military operations as the
successful landings in North Africa across the ocean, as the rapid
occupation of harbours and wide territories from Casablanca to Bougie,
and as the smashing of the Italy-German armies in the Western Desert,
effected with such mastery.
(2) Question: How effective has this campaign been in
relieving pressure on the Soviet Union, and what further aid does the
Soviet Union await?
Answer: It is yet too soon to say to what extent this
campaign has been effective in relieving immediate pressure on the
Soviet Union, but it may confidently be said that the effect will not
be a small one, and that a certain relief in pressure on the Soviet
Union will result in the nearest future.
But this is not the only thing that matters.
What matters, first of
all, is that, since the campaign in Africa means that the initiative
has passed into the hands of our Allies, this campaign radically
changes the military and political situation in Europe in favour of the
Anglo-Soviet-American coalition. It undermines the prestige of
Hitlerite Germany as the leading force in the system of Axis powers and
demoralizes Hitler’s allies in Europe. It releases France from her
state of lethargy, mobilizes the anti-Hitler forces of France and
provides a basis for the organization of an anti-Hitler French army.
It
creates conditions for putting Italy out of commission and for
isolating Hitlerite Germany.
Finally, it creates the prerequisites for
the organization of a second front in Europe nearer to Germany’s vital
centres, which will be of decisive importance for organizing victory
over the Hitlerite tyranny.
(3) Question: What possibility is there of the Soviet
offensive power in the East joining the Allies in the West to hasten
final victory?
Answer: There need be no doubt that the Red Army will
fulfil its task with honour, as it has been fulfilling it throughout
the whole war.
Moscow, Kremlin
November 13, 1942
With respects,
(Signed) J. Stalin
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