740.0011 European War 1939/14003: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 16—12:30 a.m.]
1510. For the President, the Secretary, and Under Secretary. My 1508, August 15, 8 p.m., and 1509, August 15, 9 p.m. In reply to an inquiry as to whether he was satisfied with the progress of the war, particularly in the Ukraine, Stalin replied that he was not satisfied and that the position in the Ukraine “is very strained.” After a pause, he added “Today or tomorrow, the Soviet forces must leave Nikolaev.” He remarked that the “German, Austrian, Italian, Hungarian and Rumanian troops are acting jointly against us in that area,” and continued, “There are at least 300 divisions against our troops on the whole front.”
He then inquired of Cripps as to the position at Tobruk and asked specifically whether German or Italian troops are opposing the Empire forces at that place, to which Cripps replied that both Germans and Italians are fighting at Tobruk but that there are “less Germans than before.” Stalin then remarked “The Germans are mobilizing their last forces against the Soviet Union and withdrawing troops throughout the west.” When Cripps stated that he had inquired of his Government as to whether something might be done to relieve the pressure on the Soviet forces, Stalin replied, “It would be difficult for the English to create a new front.” He then remarked “The German losses have been very heavy” and added rather sadly “but they have more planes and tanks than we; they are not very brave but their technique is good.”