-2-, #525, December 8, 8 p.m., (SECTION THREE) from Moscow
 
     The General also described in detail the plan for liquidation of the Axis forces then
surrounded in the Stalingrad area.
     After completing his exposition the General submitted himself and his staff to any
questions which we desired to ask.  Our inquiries were directed principally to the problems of
flank protection, transport supplies and man power.  They frankly stated that their transport and
supply problems are admittedly difficult and complicated.  They did not hesitate to explain clearly
to us their difficulties.
     General Vatutine expressed the conviction, however, that his present operation will be
successfully concluded and that with proper supplies and transport the Red army possesses man
power for the final defeat of the Axis in Russia.
     As near as we could determine all enemy troops within the salient visited by us were
Rumanian.  We were told, however, that two German divisions had been present but we saw no
German dead and no German prisoners.  We were also told by one Russian division commander
that he had taken 575 prisoners.  Russian officers always referred to the encircled enemy troops
as being German but