Order of the Day, March 9, 1944

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. Ruchkin 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. Stalin

Marshal of the Soviet Union

Supreme Commander-in-Chief