Order of the Day, June 24, 1944

Issued by Marshal Stalin and addressed to Army General Meretskov Troops of the Karelian Front, supported on the flank by ships of the Ladoga flotilla, went over to the offensive north and east of Lodeinoye Polye, forced the Svir River along the whole front from Lake Onega to Lake Ladoga, broke through the heavily fortified enemy defences, and in the course of three days of offensive fighting advanced’ from 20-30 kilometres and captured more than 200 populated places, including Podporozhye, Svirstroi, Voznessenye, Mikhailovskaya, Megrozero, Pachnaya Selga, Berezhnaya and Mikentyeva.

In the fighting for the forcing of the Svir River and the breakthrough of the enemy defences, distinction was won by troops commanded by Lieut.-Gen. Krutikov, Lieut.-Gen. Mironov, Maj.-Gen. Gnedin, Maj.-Gen. Leshchinin, Maj.- Gen. Absalyamov, Maj.-Gen. Sopenko, Rear Adml. Chirokov, Col. Moskalev, Col. Vindushev, Col. Blashevich, Col. Kalinovsky, Col. Zapirich, Capt. Engineer of the First Rank Dudimov and Lieut.-Col. Blak; artillerymen commanded by Lieut.-Gen. of Artillery Degtyarev, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Brezhnev, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Pavlov and Maj.- Gen. of Artillery Voevodin; tankmen commanded by Maj.- Gen. of Tank Troops Shneider, Lieut.-Col. Terentyev, Maj. Torchilin, Maj. Emelyanov and Maj. Krotov; airmen commanded by Lieut.-Gen. of Aviation Sokolov, Col. Minayev, Col. Kalugin, Col. Udonin and Col. Laryushkin; and sappers commanded by Maj.-Gen. of Engineering Troops Khrenov and Lieut.-Col. Arshba.

To commemorate the victory, the units and formations which particularly distinguished themselves in the fighting will be recommended for conferment of the name Svir and for award of orders.

Today-, June 24, at 20.30 hours (Moscow time), the capital of the Motherland, Moscow, in the name of the Motherland, will salute with 20 artillery salvoes from 224 guns our gallant troops of the Karelian front which forced the Svir River and broke through the enemy defences. For excellent military operations I express my thanks to all troops under your command which took part in the forcing of the Svir River and the breakthrough of the enemy defences. Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in the struggle for the freedom and independence of our Motherland! Death to the German-Finnish invaders!

J. Stalin

Marshal of the Soviet Union

Supreme Commander-in-Chief