Russia at war 1941-1945

"I was mindful of the importance that no (economic) conference be held in Moscow until we knew the outcome of the battle now in progress. .. This battle was still in the balance. Hence my suggestion that we hold this conference at as late a date as

possible. Then we would know whether there was to be a front and approximately

the location of the front during the coming winter months."

Nevertheless, basing himself on Stalin's belief that the front would be "solidified not later than October 1" Hopkins recommended to the US Government that such a conference (the future Stalin-Beaverbrook-Harriman conference) be held between October 1 and

October 15.

In conclusion, Stalin said that he thought German morale pretty low, and that the

Germans would be demoralised still further by an announcement that the United States was going to join in the war against Hitler.

Stalin [Hopkins continued] said it was inevitable that we [the USA] would finally come to grips with Hitler on some battlefield. The might of Germany was [still] so great that, even though Russia might defend herself, it would be very difficult for Britain and Russia combined to crush the German military machine... He believed

the war would be bitter and perhaps long ... and he wanted me to tell the President that he would welcome American troops on any part of the Russian front under the

complete command of the American Army... Finally, he asked me to tell the

President that, while he was confident that the Russian Army could withstand the

German Army, the problem of supply by the next spring would be a serious one and

that he needed our help.

In a remarkable article on his meetings with Stalin, Hopkins later wrote:

... He welcomed me with a few swift Russian words. He shook my hand briefly,

firmly, courteously. He smiled warmly. There was no waste of word, gesture or

mannerism. It was like talking to a perfectly co-ordinated machine, an intelligent machine... The questions he asked were clear, concise, direct... His answers were ready, unequivocal, spoken as if the man had had them on his tongue for years... If he is always as I heard him, he never wastes a syllable. If he wants to soften anabrupt answer... he does it with that quick managed smile—a smile that can be coldbut friendly, austere but warm. He curries no favour with you. He seems to have nodoubts. He assures you that Russia will stand against the onslaught of the GermanArmy. He takes it for granted that you have no doubts, either... He laughs often

enough, but it's a short laugh, somewhat sardonic perhaps. There is no small talk in him. His humour is keen, penetrating.

[Sherwood, op. cit., p. 345.]

Although Hopkins had, obviously, come with instructions which forbade him to assume