VE Day may not have happened

Sir, – Alex Orr rightly paid tribute to the huge contribution made by the Soviet Union to the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945 (Remembering Soviet sacrifices, Courier, May 7).

We should also remember with gratitude the vital roles played by the USA and the countries of the Commonwealth in the successful outcome of the war.

Mr Orr did not mention, however, that the leader of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin, concluded a pact with Hitler in 1939 which encouraged Nazi Germany to invade Poland, thus triggering the start of the Second World War.

The Soviet Union occupied Eastern Poland while Nazi Germany took over the rest.

Stalin also gave support to Hitler in 1939, 1940 and early 1941 with supplies of grain, oil and other commodities when the Nazis were overrunning France, Belgium, Holland and several other countries.

Before that, Russia had secretly allowed German pilots to train there in the early 1930s, when Germany was banned from having an air force.

Russian support might have ended the war in Hitler’s favour if the Germans had forced Britain to capitulate in 1940.

With his back covered and Britain defeated, Hitler could well have conquered the Soviet Union in 1941.

All Nazi resources could have been concentrated on the Soviet Union’s defeat alone.

As it was, Hitler very nearly achieved his goal in the first Blitzkrieg invasion of Russia.

We were very fortunate that Hitler bit off more than he could chew, invading the territory of his ally, Stalin, then, later, declaring war on the USA after the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor.

If Hitler had concentrated on knocking Britain out of the war in 1940, we should not be celebrating VE Day today.

George K McMillan. 5 Mount Tabor Avenue, Perth.