My dear Mr President,

Thank you very much for your letter, which reached me through General Hurley
today. I
have had a long talk with him on strategic matters. I think that he understood me and is now convinced of the soundness of the Allies' present strategy. He asked for an opportunity to visit one of our fronts, in particular the Caucasus. This opportunity will be provided. No serious changes have occurred on the Soviet-German front in the past week. We plan to launch our winter campaign in the near future and are preparing for it. I shall keep you informed about it. All of us here rejoice at the brilliant success of U.S. and British arms in North Africa. Congratulations on the victory. With all my heart

I wish you further success.

Yours very sincerely,

Stalin

November 14, 1942