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http://lenta.ru/world/2005/01/27/ally/
(English translation follows the Russian article)

Американские студенты не могут принять СССР как союзника США
Большинство американцев не знают, что США и СССР были союзниками во время Второй мировой войны, сообщает РИА "Новости".

Об этом рассказал в интервью агентству профессор американской истории университета Калифорнии Майк Дэвис, который сделал такие выводы после бесед со своими студентами.

"Американцы никогда не хотели признавать роли Советской Армии, и когда я рассказываю, что СССР и США были союзниками, им трудно это понять и принять", - отметил историк.

"Американцы не могут осознать, какие огромные жертвы понесла армия СССР в Польше, Будапеште и Праге, даже когда немцы уже покинули их страну. Они не могут понять, сколько миллионов людей было спасено Красной Армией", - сказал профессор.

Дэвис отметил, что торжества по случаю 60-летия освобождения концлагеря Освенцим, - это, возможно, последний шанс отблагодарить советских солдат, участвовавших в тех событиях.

"Сердце сжимается, когда понимаешь, что это, наверное, одна из последних возможностей, когда мир может благодарить 70-80 летних, которые были 18-летними, когда были солдатами Красной Армии... Обычные русские солдаты, мужчины и женщины были частью величайшей армии-освободительницы в истории, несмотря на преступления сталинизма", - добавил он.

27 января в Освенциме пройдет церемония памяти, в которой примут участие главы многих государств, включая Россию и Польшу.

American students can not accept the USSR as an ally of the USA
The majority of Americans does not know that the USA and USSR were allies during World War II, reports RIA "Novosti".

This was discussed in an interview to the agency by a professor of American history at the University of California Mike Davis, who came to these conclusions after debates with his students.

"Americans never wanted to accept the role of the Soviet Army, and when I say that the USSR and USA were allies, it's difficult for them to understand and accept," said the historian.

"Americans can't understand such huge casualties carried by the Soviet Army in Poland, Budapest and Prague, even when the Germans had already left their country. They can't understand how many millions of people were saved by the Red Army," said the professor.

Davis answered that during the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, it's possibly the last chance to give thanks to the Soviet soldiers taking part in these events.

"The heart breaks when you understand that this, probably, is one of the last opportunities when the word can thank those who are 70-80 years old, who were 18 years old as soldiers of the Red Army... Average Russian soldiers, men and women were a part of the greatest army - liberators in history, regardless of the crime of Stalinism," he stated.

27 January in Auschwitz will take place a ceremony of rememberance, in which many heads of state will take part, including Russia and Poland.

Eric, well said! Americans need to know that without the courage of Soviet people in WW2, the swastika would be flying over the White House. Carl

It really distresses me that the majority of American schoolchildren do not learn anything about the Eastern Front in WWII at all! Of course, they learn about Auschwitz, learn about D-Day, Normandy, and the Western Front. But in their history books, it is as if there was no fighting east of Berlin, whereas the opposite is true - that is where the majority of fighting was!!!

But because of the Cold War, America did not want its children growing up to think that the USSR actually did something that ensured the security of the Western powers, despite its own sacrifices. Since it would be impossible to rewrite history (there is no Nazi regime in Eastern Europe, and it would be impossible to state the Americans and British "miraculously" also somehow managed to liberate Eastern Europe themselves!), the American history books simply left it out altogether.

There is a dark cloud over Soviet contribution - because the friendship treaty Ribentropp-Molotov between Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia started the World War II.

Besides, after the war - there was a cold war, partly because Stalin after liberating EE countries started occupying them.

There was no any democratic elections asking people whether they want to become a part of Communistic system!

The Cold War was profitable business for both sides.

I think it's probably the same in the UK, US and Russia - they all think that "we won the war" and emphasise their contibutions above those of others.

it was a team effort of course - with the involvement of many other nations - notably Poland.

at least the Brits were in there from the very beginning - unlike the US ("none of our business" for the first 2 years) and the USSR (in bed with the nazis for the first 2 years).

jaga, et al in the forum. Amen. A. Schicklgruber and Uncle Joe S. were pretty good friends or, admirers of each other when that non-aggression pact was signed. Like I said before; "Birds of a feather flock together". Sorry Eric, I have respect for the Russian people but only contempt and scorn for J. Stalin. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Bob - Do you know that for the first time in 40 years, statues of Stalin are returning to the streets of Russia? In Moscow and at least one other city, there will be a statue of Stalin erected as monument to the fact that he was the Soviet leader during the Great Patriotic War (what WWII is called in the former USSR).

After the 20th Congress of the CPSU in the 1960s, the only remaining statue to Stalin was in his hometown of Poti, Georgia - it remains there to this day. But with increased interest in the war years recently, it has been decided to commemorate the Soviet leader of the time. Also, the plaque on Red Square for Hero-City Volgograd has had its name changed to read Stalingrad recently.

Eric,

You have me confused about our wonderful Russian allies.

Are you talking about the Great Russian Ally that refused to pay for all the lend lease equipment,. ( Studebaker trucks, Hurricane Fighter planes and food that was sent by the Murmansk run in the North Sea at the cost of so many American seaman's life?? ( THIS WAS NONE OF OUR BUSINESS)

Is this the same Ally that screamed for a second front in the West, but refused to help the Americans on the Eastern front against the Japanese But three weeks before Japan surrendered they started taking over Japanese held territory

Is this the same Ally that Interned American Airmen when their B29 bombers were forced to land in Russia because of damage to their planes? They never returned these B29 they copied them for their own super bomber.

Is this the same Allies that murdered all of the Polish officers at Katyn, near Smolensk?;

Is this the same wonderful Ally that stopped just short of the gates of Warsaw and watched the Germans murder all of those Polish civilians.

Is this the same ally that stopped the Americans landing rights after just one relief supplies drop to the people of Warsaw.
They were denied any future fuel for the return trip

Then there was the confrotation in Berlin, then the Berlin wall.

The invasion of Hungry

Do you want me to go on.?

If it were not for the western Allies tying up the German forces in the West..All of you America haters would be tattooed lamp shades now in some SS officers home

Eric you have a lot of growing up to do..

GOD BLESS AMERICA LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT AN AMERICAN

Frank. You said it all pretty well. Eric. You and many people chide America for not remembering the Soviet Union was an ally during WW2 yet the Russian people forget that it was J. Stalin who brought so much misery to his own people as well as others. It is bad enough that J. Stalin conducted a reign of terror but even his own children did not escape the villany of this monster. The Rusians did not only have to confront the Nazi's in front but they also had to defend their backs from the attacks of the Stalinists.