§ 45. Mr. Lewisasked the Prime Minister whether he will publish in HANSARD the correspondence relating to the German offensive launched in the Ardennes in 1944 which passed between him and J. V. Stalin in his letter dated 6th January, 1945, Stalin's reply dated 7th January, 1945, and the further letter he sent on 9th January, 1945: what action was taken by the Russians in answer to this communication; and whether he will publish his communication dated 17th January, 1945, sent to J. V. Stalin.
§ 50. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Prime Minister if he will publish the text of the telegram requesting aid from the Soviet Command at the time of the German offensive in the Ardennes in the winter of 1944–45.
§ The Prime Minister (Sir Winston Churchill)The text of the telegram which I sent to Marshal Stalin on 6th January, 1945, asking whether we could count on a major Russian offensive during January, 1945, has already been published, with the reply and my further message of 9th January, on pages 243 and 244 of my Volume VI of "The Second World War." The Russians opened an offensive in January, as Marshal Stalin had said in his message they would, and I am arranging for the further message on this subject which I sent to Marshal Stalin on 16th January, not hitherto published, to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
There was also an agreeable interchange of telegrams between me and Marshal Stalin on 25th April, 1945, pages 467–468 of my Volume VI of "The Second World War," which it might interest the hon. Members to read. I understand that sufficient copies of this volume have been made available in the Library to meet the convenience of Members.
§ Mr. LewisWhile thanking the Prime Minister for his reply, and hoping that his statement will have the desired effect of further increasing the sales of that book, which is much warranted, and while appreciating the fact that, though hon. Members are able to read the book in the Library, many of them and many of their 1574 constituents cannot afford to buy it, may I ask the Prime Minister if he will agree to circulate these telegrams, in addition to the one of 16th January, in the OFFICIAL REPORT?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think that really is necessary, unless there is a general desire for it in the House.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Prime Minister aware that these telegrams are not so widely known as the telegram to which he referred at Woodford, and does he not think that the telegram in which he urged the Russians to undertake an offensive, and in which he thanked the Russians, saying, "May all good fortune rest upon your noble venture," and also his remark that the fine deed of the Russians in hastening the great offensive—no doubt with a heavy loss of life—ought to be more widely known? Is the Prime Minister not aware that hundreds of thousands of young Russians lost their lives, and that a few months afterwards he was prepared to build up the German military machine again?
§ The Prime MinisterHundreds of thousands of young Britons lost their lives in the first two years of the war when the Russians were in league with Hitler.
§ Mr. ShinwellAs so much interest has been aroused about these telegrams and other telegrams, and all the rest of it, will not the right hon. Gentleman circulate a copy of the book to each hon. Member?
§ The Prime MinisterI should like to consider that, especially having regard to the Christmas season. Altogether, I find that from 1st January to the time when I gave up at the end of July, I received or sent 1,250 personal and private telegrams of the most secret character.
Following is the further message:To: PREMIER STALIN. T. 107/5. 16.1.45.
- 1. I am most grateful to you for your message, and am extremely glad that Air Marshal Tedder made so favourable an impression upon you.
- 2. On behalf of His Majesty's Government and from the bottom of my heart I offer you our thanks and congratulations on the immense assault you have launched upon the Eastern front.
1575 - 3. You now no doubt know the plans of General Eisenhower and to what extent they have been delayed by Rundstedt's spoiling attack. I am sure that fighting along the whole front will be continuous. The British 21st Army Group under Field Marshal Montgomery have to-day begun an attack in the area South of Roermond."