Russia: Norman Davies explained in Moscow, who won the second war … – Money.pl

[Photo: Reporter]

Professor Norman Davies recalled Tuesday in Moscow that the Soviet Union took part in World War II from the very beginning, ie. since 1939, and not – as claimed Soviet historiography and still says Russian historiography – in 1941.

Davies talked about this during a lecture Who won the Second World War? , which was delivered at the Polish Embassy in Moscow. World-renowned British historian, came to listen to Russian historians, representatives of the diplomatic corps and journalists. Davies came to Moscow to collect material for another book – about Anders’ Army – you’ve just been working on.

The historian has estimated that the answer to the question in the title of the lecture is simple: World War II won the Grand Coalition; only problem is determining the contribution of the proportions of each Member in the victory. Davies pointed out that in this area, Stalin once said: The British gave time, the Americans – the money, and we – blood .

The professor stressed that all nations have their own, full of myths versions the role that their countries have played in World War II. One of these myths – as pointed out – is the one that for Russia, the war began with the invasion of Nazi Germany in June 1941.

According to Davies, it is difficult to tell who was the winner in World War II. As an example mentioned Poland, whose soldiers – as noted – fought on all fronts; which suffered the biggest percentage loss of life and which – though she was a member of the grand coalition – did not take part in the Victory Parade in London in June 1946. The historian noted here that Poland lost as a result of the war more lands than Germany.

Speaking of the role of the Red Army in the liberation of Europe, the professor said that fruits of freedom to Eastern Europe brought the soldiers, who did not were free .

Davies disagreed with the oft-repeated opinion that the greatest collaborators during World War II were the Ukrainians. Noted that, although the Ukrainians are a big nation, the Germans managed to create with them only one division of the Waffen SS, while the other nations sometimes after a few. He stressed that it was not only the Polish and Jewish division of the Waffen SS.

You can not only talk about the Waffen SS Galicia. What banderowcami and UPA? – tried to oppose him, Professor Mikhail Miagkow the Russian Society of Military History. Of the citizens of the USSR fought on the side of Hitler Ukrainians were not the largest group. Suffice it to recall one name: Vlasov – Davies replied.

On the other hand Irina Wielikanowa Museum of Contemporary History of Russia did not agree with the opinion of the professor that the soldiers of the Red Army brought the Europe of freedom, because we were not free. We defended their homeland. For us it was the Great Patriotic War – stressed. Excuse me, but the Soviet people were not as free as you deigned to suggest – answered her moderator, another Russian historian Andrei Zakharov.

After the meeting, Polish Davies told reporters that it is very pleased with his progress. The temperature of the discussion explained that victory in 1945 is the only victory in the history that the Russians were . All the others have gone blue distance – he said.

The professor estimated that in questions of Russian historians could hear the echoes of the old policy. The Soviet historiography explains the beginning of the war, not the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, but the Munich appeasement policy – he said. Davies also stressed that the must be separated from politics history . The historian must have the courage. Without the conversation did not move forward – pointed out.

Russia: Norman Davies explained in Moscow, who won the second war … – Money.pl