FMH
This telegram must be closely paraphrased before being communicated to anyone. (SC)
 
Moscow
 
Dated December 8, 1942
 
Rec'd. 12:35 p.m., 9th
 
Secretary of State, Washington.
 
     523, December 8, 8 p.m. (SECTION TWO)
 
     While we were at General Chistakov's headquarters a flight of 26 junkers transport planes
passed over in the direction of Stalingrad with the apparent mission of supplying the encircled
German troops. Anti-aircraft fire was directed at them but at that point they appeared to be out of
range.
     Our next stop was at the headquarters of the 51st guard division, spearhead of the 21st
Red Army attack,  located pt Sokarevka.
     This division is commanded by Major General Tovartkaledze, 34 years old, who was a
colonel when the attack was launched and had been promoted as a reward for the aggressiveness
and skill he had demonstrated in handling his troops in battle. Hz has since been decorated. 
     In operating as the advance striking force of the 21st army, the 51st division had engaged
in twelve days and nights of almost continuous fighting and had driven a distance of 120
kilometers into enemy occupied territory.  Generally speaking, this division drove past the enemy
strong points, encircled them and attacked