Russian reserve
From Professor Stephen Senn Sir: Max Hastings is right that the Russians are somewhat reserved about the importance of D-Day (Diary, 12 June), although any view of their own contribution to the second world war must he tempered by the fact that they started on the wrong side, didn't fight the Germans until forced to in 1941, and got involved rather late with the Japanese despite being excellently placed geographically to invade. (Perhaps amphibious assault is difficult after all.) The remarks of the Russian history book that D-Day arrived a little late surely apply a fortiori to the Russian declaration of war on Japan: not much help given to the GIs in Iwo Jima or to the Tommies in Imphal Kohima. As a Swiss, I am in no position to cast stones, but I was struck by how different national histories are when I once mentioned to a Russian friend the rather torrid time the British had in 1940. He looked extremely puzzled and pointed out to me that my date was wrong as the war did not start until 1941!
Stephen Senn
Glasgow
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