J. V. Stalin

Order of the Day

March 9, 1944

Source : Works, Vol. 15
Publisher : Red Star Press Ltd., London, 1984
Transcription/HTML Markup : Salil Sen for MIA, 2009
Public Domain : Marxists Internet Archive (2009). You may freely copy, distribute, display and perform this work; as well as make derivative and commercial works. Please credit "Marxists Internet Archive" as your source.

Issued by Marshal Stalin and addressed to Army General Malinovsky

Troops of the 3rd Ukrainian Front, having gone over to the offensive, have forced the river Ingulets, broken through the strong German defences along the western bank of the river, and in four days offensive engagements advanced from 30 - 60 kilometres, widening their breakthrough to 170 kilometres along the front.

In the offensive our troops inflicted a heavy defeat on three German tank divisions and six infantry divisions, captured Novy Bug and Kazanka, district centres of Nikolayev Region, took more than 200 other populated place's, and cut the Dolihskaya-Nikolayev railway line.

In the fighting, distinction was won by troops commanded by Col.-Gen. Chuykov and Lieut. -Gen. Glagolev; cavalry commanded by Lieut.- Gen. Pliyev; tankmen commanded by Lieut.-Gen. of Tank Troops Tanashchishin and Lieut.-Gen. of Tank Troops Pushkin; troops commanded by Maj.-Gen. Morozov, Maj.-Gen. Kravtsov, Maj.- Gen. Glazunov, Maj.-Gen. Kotov, Maj.-Gen. Ruch- kin and Maj.-Gen. Kosobutsky; artillerymen commanded by Lieut.-Gen. of Artillery Nedelin, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Pozgarsky and Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Alexeyenko; airmen commanded by Lieut.-Gen. of Aviation Sudets; and pontoon troops of Lieut.-Gen. of Engineering Troops Kotlyar.

To commemorate the victory, units and formations which particularly distinguished themselves in the fighting will be recommended to bear the name of Novy Bug and to be awarded orders.

Today, March 9, at 21.00 hours (Moscow time), the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, in the name of the Motherland, will salute with 20 artillery salvoes from 224 guns our gallant troops of the 3rd Ukrainian Front which broke through the German defences.

For excellent military operations I express my thanks to all the troops under your command which took part in the break-through of the German defences.

Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in the struggle for the freedom and independence of our Motherland!

Death to the German invaders!

J. V. STALIN
Marshal of the Soviet Union
Supreme Commander-in-Chief