CELEBRATING THE 24TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RED ARMY

18 February 1942

[Text] Today, 18 February, is the 24th anniversary of the Red Army of the
Soviet Union. This day reminds us of the birth of the Red Army. It was born
during the German imperialist attack on Leningrad. Today the Red Army is
again engaged in a life-or-death struggle against a fascist German invasion.
The Red Army this year is not only many many times stronger than it was at
the time of its birth, but also much stronger than it was before 22 June last
year. Now the Red Army is at the greatest peak of its strength in its history.
Through 8 months of combat the Red Army has proven to be strongest army in
the world. When the world is divided into a fascist front and an antifascist
front and the two fronts are engaged in a final decisive battle, the Red
Army becomes the hope of the absolute majority of mankind. This anniversary
of the Red Army is a day celebrated by all mankind. The Chinese people are
more enthusiastic in celebrating this day because the Red Army has been a
staunch supporter of China's national liberation since 1925. During the last
5 years of the war of resistance against Japan the Red Army has given us the
greatest encouragement and assistance. China expects the Red Army to be its
main helper in defeating Japan. The Red Army is now launching successful
counterattacks against Hitler's invasion forces, which, although still in
Soviet territory, are not far from their day of collapse. In the near future
the Japanese fascists may attack the Soviet Union, and the Red Army must be
prepared to fight two enemies. But we fully believe that if the Japanese
fascists dare to embark on that adventure, they will certainly be defeated.
On the basis of many factors, we can predict that Hitler will be defeated
in 1 year and Japanese fascism in 2 years. These factors are the Soviet Union,
Great Britain, the United States and China and all antifascist peoples of
the world; the Soviet Union is the model for all these countries. The history
of the Red Army tells us an indisputable truth: only an armed force united
with the masses of the people is an unconquerable force. We must publicize
and learn this truth and strengthen the antifascist war according to this
truth so as to hasten the arrival of the antifascist victory. This is the
mission of all the people of China and the people all over the world while
they celebrate the 24th anniversary of the Red Army.

。CHIEH-FANG JIH-PAO, 23 February 1942