As a token of appreciation for Soviet bravery during the Battle of Stalingrad, Winston Churchill presented the honorary ‘Sword of Stalingrad’ to a visibly emotional Josef Stalin at the Tehran Conference in 1943. The handover did not go completely to plan however. What happened?
Answer: After receiving the sword, Stalin passed it to long time aide Klim Voroshilov, who then dropped it on his foot. Stalin was so incensed that a red faced Voroshilov had to chase after Churchill and apologise. Such was the extent of Voroshilov’s apologies that a bemused Churchill thought he was angling for an invitation to the British leader’s birthday party, which was to be held the following day. It is not recorded whether Voroshilov was punished for his infraction by ‘Uncle Joe’ Stalin, who was notorious for his brutality.
Source: Stalin – The Court of the Red Tsar by Simon Sebag Montefiore
