Ribbentrop Hotel

On 28 September 1941, the British mission arrived Moscow. "Their reception was bleak and discussions not at all friendly" Churchill says.

One incident preserved by General Ismay in an apocryphal and somewhat lively form may be allowed to lighten the narrative. His orderly, a Royal Marine, was shown the sights of Moscow by one of the Intourist guides. "This," said the Russian, "is the Eden Hotel, formely Ribbentrop Hotel. Here is Churchill Street, formely Hitler Street. Here is the Beaverbrook railway station, formely Goering railway station Will you have a cigarette, comrade?" The marine replied, "Thank you, comrade, formely bastard!" This tale, though jocular, illustrates none the less the strange atmosphere of the meetings.

W. S. C. The grand alliance. Page 416