Northwestern Front
To Marshal Timoshenko

I have received your telegram about Korneychuk's play "The Front." You are wrong in your assessment of the play. The play will have great educational significance for the Red Army and its command cadres. The play correctly notes the shortcomings of the Red Army, and it would be wrong to close one's eyes to these shortcomings. One must have the courage to acknowledge shortcomings and to take measures to eliminate them. This is the only path of improving and perfecting the Red Army.

I. Stalin

Glasnost. 1991. July 11-17.

Note

On August 28, 1942, the day after the completion of the publication in Pravda (1942. August 24-27) of A.E. Korneychuk's play "The Front," S.K. Timoshenko sent Stalin a telegram with the following content: "To Comrade Stalin. Korneychuk's play 'The Front,' published in the press, deserves special attention. This play harms us for ages; it needs to be withdrawn and the author held accountable. Those responsible in connection with this should be investigated. Timoshenko."