- 6 -
 
        He believes that his largest tanks are better than 
the other German tanks, and that they have repeatedly 
shown their superiority in the war to date. He stated 
that the two largest Russian tanks were of 48 and 52 tons
respectively, with 75 mm. armour and 85 mm. guns. They 
have approximately 4,000 of these tanks at present. The 
Russian medium tank of just over 30 tons has 45 mm. armour
and 75 mm. guns. The infantry tank is 13 tons and has 
37 mm. armour and 45 mm. guns. They have approximately 
8,000 medium (30-ton) tanks at present and 12,000 light 
(13-ton) tanks. He stated their present production 
of tanks was 1,000 per month. He stated that his produc-
tion was equally divided between medium and heavy tanks 
on the one hand, and light tanks on the other. He stated 
they would be short of steel for tank manufacture and 
urged that orders for this steel be placed at once. He 
later said it would be much better if his tanks could be 
manufactured in the United States. He also wished to 
purchase as many of our tanks as possible to be ready for 
the Spring campaign. Stalin said the all-important thing 
was the production of tanks during the winter - the tank 
losses on both sides were very great but that Germany 
could produce more tanks per month this winter than 
Russia. Hence the aid of the United States in supplying 
steel and tanks is essential. He would like to send a 
tank expert to the United States. He stated that he 
would give the United States his tank designs.
     He emphasized the fact that Germany has a strong
and powerful air force, and that their present production 
of planes was probably 2,500 fighters and bombers per